Can You Drive a Motor Vehicle with a Damaged Driver's License?
2 Answers
You cannot drive a motor vehicle with a damaged driver's license. Article 28 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates that a motor vehicle driver shall not drive a motor vehicle when the driver's license is lost, damaged, expired, detained or temporarily confiscated according to law, or when the accumulated demerit points reach 12. Overview: The full name of the driver's license is the motor vehicle driver's license, also known as a "driving 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. Driving without a license is prohibited. Notes: The permission to drive a vehicle is granted through the issuance of a driver's license. This indicates that obtaining a driver's license is a formal procedure and must be issued by a specialized authority.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have personally experienced the issue of a damaged driver's license—once it got soaked in the rain while I was riding a bike, and all the text on the license became illegible. Let me tell you, under no circumstances should you drive in such a situation! If the police can't clearly read your name or the expiration date during a check, it will be treated as driving without a license. The penalties range from fines and demerit points to vehicle impoundment or even detention. The law explicitly states that you must carry a valid and legible license while driving; a damaged one is invalid. Back then, I immediately went to the DMV to apply for a replacement. I brought my ID card and the damaged original, paid a few dozen yuan, and got the new license in a day or two. For temporary driving needs, I recommend asking a friend to drive for you or using a ride-hailing app—safety first, don’t cut corners and risk trouble. It’s also crucial to regularly protect your documents with a plastic sleeve to avoid water damage or wear that could lead to similar issues.
