Can the QR code on the driver's license replace the driver's license?
2 Answers
Driver's license QR code cannot replace the driver's license. The relevant introduction of the driver's license is as follows: Basic introduction: The full name of the driver's license is the motor vehicle driver's license. According to the law, it is the license required by motor vehicle drivers. The motor vehicle driver's license refers to the legal certificate issued by the management department after passing the examination for those who are legally allowed to learn to drive motor vehicles and have mastered the knowledge of traffic regulations and driving skills after learning; Legal provisions: According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses", applicants for motor vehicle driver's licenses shall meet the requirements of Article 7. The contents recorded and annotated on the motor vehicle driver's license include the driver's information, such as name, gender, date of birth, nationality, address, ID number, and photo.
After over a decade of driving experience, I've learned that QR code driver's licenses can indeed serve as temporary substitutes in certain situations. For instance, they allow quick verification when scanned by local police checkpoints, saving you the hassle of digging through your wallet for the physical card. However, they cannot fully replace the physical driver's license, as most regions still legally prioritize the original document. If your phone runs out of battery or has poor signal, rendering the QR code unreadable, you could be in trouble. For long-distance trips or international travel, I always insist on carrying the physical license for peace of mind. The electronic version works well as a backup—I recommend downloading the official app to apply for one as a supplementary option. But don’t skip carrying the physical copy just in case. During car maintenance, you should also bring the physical driver's license and related documents to ensure full compliance and safety.