Can You Drive on the Highway Without a Driver's License?
3 Answers
You cannot drive on the highway without a driver's license. According to the Road Traffic Law, forgetting to bring your driver's license will result in a 1-point deduction and a fine. Article 95 of the Road Traffic Safety Law states: Motor vehicles driven on the road without displaying license plates, inspection qualification marks, or insurance marks, or without carrying the vehicle license or driver's license, shall be detained by the traffic management department of the public security organ. The party involved shall be notified to provide the corresponding documents, marks, or complete the necessary procedures, and may be punished in accordance with Article 90 of this Law. Article 90 states: Motor vehicle drivers who violate the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules shall be given a warning or fined.
Driving on the highway without your driver's license is definitely not allowed. According to traffic regulations, you must carry it with you to drive legally. If caught by traffic police, you could face a fine of 50-200 RMB plus a 1-point deduction. Highway toll stations often have random checkpoints, and if stopped, not only will it waste time, but your vehicle might be impounded until you return with proof—pretty frustrating, right? I’ve handled similar cases before and recommend making it a habit to store your license in a fixed spot, like the car’s glove compartment or wallet. As a backup, you can use digital license apps like WeChat City Services, but don’t rely solely on them since some regions don’t accept electronic versions. Always double-check your documents before driving—better safe than sorry. The law is the law, and violating it carries serious consequences, from affecting your credit score to raising insurance premiums. Safe driving starts with the details.
I've been driving for over a decade. Once when rushing for a business trip, I forgot my driver's license and was stopped by police at the highway toll gate - fined 150 yuan with 1 penalty point. Waiting two hours for family to deliver the license was truly frustrating. Unlike city roads, highways are more strictly monitored - now I always remind myself to check documents at every entrance. Veteran drivers' advice: keep a photocopy in the glove compartment while carrying the original, or store a digital version on your phone for emergencies (though don't rely on it as officers prefer physical copies). Prevention is simple: establish a routine - before leaving, check pockets or car storage to ensure documents are ready. Regular maintenance matters too - keep licenses intact to avoid worse troubles from expired/damaged cards. In driving, no detail is too small for attention.
