Do I Need to Carry My Driver's License with Me?
3 Answers
You must carry your driver's license with you when driving. According to Articles 95 and 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, regardless of whether the driver has committed any traffic violations, they are not allowed to continue driving without their license. The traffic management department of the public security authority will impound the vehicle and require the driver to provide their license. Below is an introduction to the driving test subjects: Subject 1: A test on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. The structure and basic question types of the test database are formulated by the Ministry of Public Security, while provincial traffic management departments establish their own test databases based on local conditions. Subject 2: A test on field driving skills, including reversing into a parking space, stopping and starting on a slope, making a right-angle turn, driving along a curve, and parallel parking. In cities like Shanghai, Subject 2 consists of nine mandatory tests: reversing into a parking space, right-angle turns, parallel parking, driving through a tunnel, stopping to take a card, driving along a curve, making a U-turn on a narrow road, emergency stopping, and stopping and starting on a slope. Subject 3: A test on road driving skills, including basic procedures such as vehicle preparation (walking around the vehicle counterclockwise, fastening the seatbelt, turning on the left turn signal, shifting gears, releasing the handbrake, and honking the horn), starting, driving straight, changing lanes, passing through intersections, pulling over, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting other vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and driving at night. Subject 4: A test on safe and civilized driving knowledge, covering related concepts of safe and civilized driving.
As an experienced driver, I must emphasize the importance of carrying your driver's license when driving in China. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, you must have your driver's license with you when operating a motor vehicle. Failure to do so may result in a fine ranging from 50 to 200 yuan and penalty points if stopped by traffic police for inspection. I once nearly got fined while driving in the city without mine and had to spend time explaining. Carrying your license not only avoids such troubles but also allows quick identification during accidents or checks. I recommend making it a habit to keep it in your wallet or a fixed spot in your car. Electronic driver's licenses are now widely accepted in many areas, such as through the 'Traffic Management 12123' app for mobile display, but not all regions fully replace the paper version. For safety's sake, it's best to carry a physical copy. After all, driving is a responsibility, and small details can ensure greater safety, saving you from many potential issues.
I've been driving for almost ten years. Once on a business trip, I forgot my driver's license and was stopped by traffic police at a toll station, delaying my journey by half an hour. That lesson taught me to always carry it with me. Traffic regulations clearly require this to ensure driver identity verification and reduce violation risks. Electronic licenses are convenient with QR codes generated via apps, but they fail when phones run out of battery or have poor signals. For daily trips, I check if my license is in my bag to avoid unnecessary trouble. This simple habit prevents fines or disputes at the source. Friends have had similar experiences—one oversight can cause chaos. Remember, safety first: keeping this small document handy makes driving more reassuring.
