Can You Drive on the Road If Your Vehicle License Is Confiscated?
3 Answers
You cannot drive on the road if your vehicle license is confiscated. Driving on the road requires two documents: a driver's license and a vehicle license, both of which are indispensable. Penalties for driving without a vehicle license: Driving without a vehicle license will result in the traffic authorities impounding the motor vehicle and notifying the party to provide the vehicle license. A warning or a fine may also be imposed. The motor vehicle will be returned after the party provides the vehicle license. Functions of the vehicle license: The vehicle license records some important information about the vehicle, including the owner's name, license plate number, engine number, approved passenger capacity, vehicle inspection records, etc. Like a business card for the vehicle, it silently declares the identity and ownership of the vehicle. It clarifies the ownership of the vehicle, and in case of an accident, the owner can be identified promptly.
Last time when my vehicle license was temporarily confiscated by the traffic police, I specifically consulted legal professionals and was told that I must never drive on the road without it. Driving without a vehicle license is equivalent to unlicensed driving. If caught, the vehicle will be impounded immediately, plus a fine, and in severe cases, detention may follow. My neighbor Lao Zhang fell into this trap last month—he was checked just after leaving the residential area, resulting in his car being towed away, an 800-yuan fine, and three days of work lost. The most annoying part was having to pay additional parking fees when retrieving the car, totaling over 2,000 yuan in losses. My advice is to simply call a designated driver or take a taxi in such situations. Wait until the traffic violation is resolved and the license is retrieved before driving again. Never take chances.
Having worked in an auto repair shop for ten years, I've seen too many people suffer due to issues with their vehicle license. A car without its license is like a person without an ID—the first thing traffic police check during inspections is the vehicle license. If your license is confiscated and you still insist on driving, not only will your car be impounded and fined, but any accident that occurs will become even more troublesome. Insurance companies may refuse to cover the damages, and the other party involved might use this as leverage to claim compensation. Once, a customer at our shop ignored the advice and ended up hitting a guardrail, paying 30,000 yuan out of pocket just for repairs. In such situations, it's best to ask a friend to drive another car or use an app to schedule a towing service—spending a little to avoid a major disaster.