Do I still need to carry the original driver's license with an electronic one?
4 Answers
You still need to carry the original driver's license even if you have an electronic version. The specific reasons are as follows: Popularization of electronic driver's licenses: Electronic driver's licenses have not yet been widely adopted and are currently only in trial operation in a few locations such as Guangzhou and Yunnan. Therefore, other areas may not recognize this type of electronic certificate. Additionally, there is currently no nationwide network, so once you leave the city, the electronic license cannot be used. Electronic driver's licenses are not recognized across regions: When traveling on highways, the electronic license is also unusable. Highways typically span multiple regions, and if any issues arise, highway traffic police do not recognize electronic driver's licenses. Therefore, if you do not carry your physical driver's license, you are likely to face points deduction and fines.
I always recommend carrying a physical backup. While electronic driver's licenses are accepted in many places, such as during police checks or app verifications, they aren't universally recognized. In remote areas or specific locations like gas stations or car rental agencies, they might not accept the digital version. Once, I visited a small town with no phone signal and couldn't access my e-license—luckily, I had the original in my bag, saving me from delays. Technologically, e-licenses are advancing fast, but regulations haven't uniformly caught up. For safety, keeping a card license in your wallet takes minutes but prevents a heap of trouble. Bottom line: make it a habit to carry the physical copy—it beats last-minute hassles.
Using a digital driver's license is indeed much more convenient. Just pull out your phone and swipe, no need to rummage through your bag for the card. However, you should stay vigilant. For instance, when dealing with matters at airports or certain government agencies, they might require the original for verification. I usually use the digital version while driving, but I've encountered system crashes at parking lots or tourist attractions where it couldn't be checked. It's advisable to also keep the physical driver's license in your car or pocket. After all, the digital version relies on uncertain factors like device battery life and network signals. Spending a little extra effort to carry a backup makes travel more worry-free. I've never regretted this habit.
My experience is that the electronic driver's license is very helpful, but the physical one is indispensable. For example, during a routine traffic police check last time, the app crashed and couldn't display it, and I was almost fined. Fortunately, I had the original copy to prove my identity. While the electronic version is gradually being legally recognized, problems arise when encountering weak signals in mountainous areas or when older devices can't read it. I always insist on keeping the physical copy with me—just a few minutes of effort can avoid potential risks.
