Can the old driver's license still be used after losing it and getting a replacement?
4 Answers
It cannot be used. The following is relevant information about the driver's license: 1. Introduction: The full name of the driver's license is the motor vehicle driver's license, which is a certificate required by law for motor vehicle drivers. Driving a motor vehicle requires certain driving skills, and those lacking such skills may cause traffic accidents if they drive recklessly. Generally, people without a license are not allowed to drive on the road. However, for those who have mastered safe driving skills, the document that permits them to drive on the road is the 'driver's license.' This indicates that the driver's license is a 'permit.' 2. Examination Content: The test subjects include traffic regulations and related knowledge, field driving, and road driving (including safe and civilized driving), totaling three items. Before each subject test, an appointment must be made (special circumstances can be scheduled through the driving test green channel), and the test is taken after the appointment.
Last year, I also lost my driver's license and rushed to the DMV to get a replacement. The whole process took less than a week. When I received the new license, the staff reminded me that the old one would automatically become invalid and could no longer be used. A friend of mine didn't believe it and drove with the old license, only to be stopped by traffic police, fined 150 yuan, and had points deducted. I remember this lesson to this day: it's an ironclad rule that the old license becomes invalid after replacement—the old number is deactivated in the system, and only the new one is valid. It's best to keep important documents in a fixed place, like a locked drawer, to avoid the hassle of losing them. If you do lose one, replace it quickly to avoid affecting daily travel safety. Getting caught using an invalid document can lead to fines or even impact insurance claims—definitely not worth it.
After years of driving, I've learned that driver's license management is very strict. Once a new license is reissued, the old one must be invalidated and can no longer be used on the road. The law clearly states that driving with an invalid license is illegal and may result in fines or demerit points. When applying for a replacement at the DMV, they update the system records, marking the old license as invalid in the database. I recommend keeping the old license as a memento or destroying it immediately after replacement to avoid accidentally carrying it and causing trouble. Safe driving requires valid documentation, and this mechanism is in place to prevent misuse and ensure orderly road traffic. If you lose your license, don't hesitate—get a new one right away, and absolutely avoid using the old version.
Don't panic if you lose your driver's license, just apply for a replacement immediately. The new one you get will be the only valid version, and the old one becomes invalid right away and can't be used anymore. For example, when I dealt with it, the DMV clearly stated that the old license would be voided after replacement. Carrying the old one in your wallet could lead to fines if checked. It's recommended to either discard the old license or keep it as a memento after getting the replacement. Always drive with only the new license to stay safe, worry-free, and avoid unnecessary trouble.
