Can the outer leather cover of the driver's license be replaced?
4 Answers
The outer cover of the driver's license can be replaced. The essential parts of a driver's license are the main card and the supplementary card. The choice of how to carry them is up to the individual—using an outer cover is optional, and it's even acceptable to carry them without one. However, when driving, it is mandatory to have both the original and duplicate copies of the driver's license. Failure to do so may result in the following penalties: 1. Deduction of points and fines: If you forget to bring your driver's license while driving, traffic police will treat it as not carrying the license, not as driving without a license. According to the regulations on road traffic safety laws and road traffic rules for motor vehicle drivers, forgetting to bring the driver's license may result in a fine and a deduction of 1 point. 2. Detention of the vehicle: If a motor vehicle driven on the road does not display a license plate, lacks inspection and insurance stickers, or if the driver fails to carry the vehicle registration certificate or driver's license, the traffic management department of the public security authority has the right to detain the vehicle.
The outer leather cover of the driver's license can certainly be replaced at any time! My three-year-old driver's license cover had worn down to a matte texture, so I just bought a new one with cartoon patterns online last month. When removing the old cover, be careful not to bend the license card. For the new cover, choose a soft material that won’t damage the card—I went for a silicone one that fits perfectly. Now, the new cover even has a hook to attach to my car keys, so I no longer have to dig through my backpack to find my license. I recommend replacing it annually to keep it clean and prevent demagnetization. When buying, make sure to measure the card sleeve precisely down to the millimeter—too big and it might slip out, too small and it won’t fit. Those covers with police logos aren’t very practical; waterproof materials are a better choice.
Replacing the driver's license cover is completely legal and reasonable. My driver's license cover had been used for five years, and the plastic shell had turned yellow and cracked. Just the other day, I replaced it with a leather flip-style one. As long as the cover does not obscure the license number or photo information, there is no problem during traffic police inspections. Generic versions are sold near supermarket checkout counters, costing just over ten yuan and featuring card slot designs. When choosing a cover, pay attention to the edge treatment—those with rounded corners won't scratch your hands. Once, I found that water accumulation in the cover caused the card chip to fail during a car wash, so now I always choose covers with breathable holes in the inner layer. Regularly changing the cover is actually very important for protecting the driver's license, especially in summer when left in a car under direct sunlight, as rubber materials can easily stick to the card surface.
Of course you can change it! I'm used to replacing my driver's license holder every two years. Last time I bought a transparent thin one, but the license card got bent in my pocket, which made me so upset that I immediately switched to a hard shell. I recommend buying standard card holders at stationery stores, as the size is more accurate than online. When replacing, the old holder might stick tightly, so using a hairdryer to soften it before removal is safer. Light-colored holders are more stain-resistant than dark ones—I'm currently using a beige silicone one, and coffee stains wipe right off. Avoid holders with metal clasps, as they can cause misunderstandings during security checks.
