Do I still need to carry my driver's license with an electronic driver's license?
2 Answers
You can travel without carrying a physical driver's license if you have an electronic one, but this doesn't apply universally. The nationwide implementation of electronic driver's licenses began on December 10, 2021, and some cities had not adopted it before that date. The functions of an electronic driver's license: After obtaining an electronic driver's license, it can serve as a supplement to the traditional paper version. It also allows you to handle some simple traffic violation cases and minor traffic accident procedures. During routine checks by traffic officers while driving, you can present your electronic driver's license, greatly facilitating daily life for the public. How to apply for an electronic driver's license: If your driver's license is valid, you can apply for an electronic driver's license through the "Traffic Management 12123" app. However, if your license is suspended, temporarily confiscated, overdue for medical examination, overdue for review, or announced as invalid, you cannot apply for an electronic version as it cannot be used normally under these circumstances.
I remember when I first started using the electronic driver's license, I was overjoyed, thinking I wouldn't need to carry that piece of paper around anymore. Opening the mobile app, quickly scanning the code to display it, the police verification was efficient, especially saving a lot of time during rush hours. Technology changes life, and it's generally sufficient in the city. But later, once my phone ran out of battery and shut down, the app couldn't be opened, and I almost got fined, which scared me into a cold sweat. Now I still prefer to keep a physical license in the car as a backup, with the electronic version as the primary. In remote areas with weak signals or when the app lags, the physical license is more reliable. Safe driving depends on the details; don't invite trouble out of laziness. I recommend new drivers to do the same—use the app for convenience in daily life, but have the physical license as a fallback in critical moments.
