Do I Need to Carry My Driver's License with Me?
3 Answers
It is mandatory to carry your driver's license when driving on the road. Below are the consequences of being caught by traffic police without your driver's license: 1. Points and fines: If you forget to bring your driver's license while driving, the traffic police will treat it as not carrying the license, not as driving without a license. According to the regulations on road traffic safety laws and road traffic rules for motor vehicle drivers, forgetting to carry a driver's license may result in a fine and 1 demerit point. 2. Vehicle impoundment: For motor vehicles driven on the road without displaying the vehicle license plate, inspection qualification mark, insurance mark, or without carrying the vehicle registration certificate or driver's license, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall impound the vehicle.
As a veteran driver with nearly 20 years of experience, I can responsibly tell you that you must carry your driver's license with you at all times! Just the other day, a young man in our neighborhood forgot to bring his license when driving out to buy groceries and got stopped by traffic police for a random check. He was immediately fined 50 yuan and had 1 point deducted from his license. Although it wasn't considered unlicensed driving, the whole ordeal was quite troublesome—he had to contact his family to bring the license to him. I always keep my driver's license in a separate compartment of my wallet, right next to my ID card, so I automatically take it with me whenever I grab my wallet. Electronic driver's licenses are quite convenient these days, but some traffic police, especially when driving across provinces, don't accept the digital version. So, to avoid all these unnecessary hassles, it's best to make it a habit to always carry your physical license with you.
Honestly, driving without a license is like wearing pants without a belt—it might seem manageable but carries huge risks. Once I forgot my license while driving my kid to school, got pulled over by traffic police during a turn, and they impounded the car until I provided it. Though my family eventually rushed it over by taxi, my child was late for school and scolded by the teacher. The officer explained clearly: Article 19 of traffic laws requires drivers to carry their original license. Some apps offer digital versions, but they aren’t nationally recognized yet. My advice? Keep a document holder in a fixed spot in your car for both license and registration—muscle memory will prevent forgetfulness.
