Is it mandatory to carry a driver's license and vehicle registration certificate while driving?
3 Answers
It is mandatory to carry a driver's license while driving on the road. Here are the relevant details: Regulations: According to Articles 95 and 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, the handling for not carrying a driver's license is as follows: Regardless of whether the driver violates traffic laws while driving, the driver is not allowed to continue driving the vehicle. The traffic management department of the public security authority shall detain the motor vehicle and notify the driver to provide the driver's license. Considerations: From a safety perspective, it is advisable for drivers not to leave their vehicle-related documents in the car. The best practice is to keep the vehicle registration certificate and driver's license in your wallet. This way, you won't have to worry about traffic police inspections. If you forget to bring them, simply cooperate with the traffic police inspection, proactively show your ID card, and inform the traffic police that you forgot to bring your driver's license.
To be honest, after years of driving, my deepest realization is that you must always carry your driver's license and vehicle registration. The reason is simple: traffic laws clearly state that failing to do so is a violation. If stopped by traffic police, the consequences range from a fine of a few hundred yuan to having your vehicle impounded, delaying your trip. For example, last month I forgot my registration and was pulled over, lectured, and fined, wasting my entire morning. While digital driver's licenses are now accepted in many cities via QR codes, they might not be recognized in remote areas or strict scenarios—carrying the original is the most worry-free option. Moreover, vehicles can encounter issues anytime on the road, and not having your documents during an accident complicates matters further. I recommend both new and experienced drivers develop the habit of keeping a document pouch in the car drawer, including a copy of the insurance policy—safe and convenient.
I just got my driver's license less than a year ago, and my instructor repeatedly emphasized always carrying both the driver's license and vehicle registration when driving. The law states that driving without them is considered unlicensed driving, which may result in a fine of 200 to 2000 yuan or vehicle impoundment. I remember once rushing out and forgetting my vehicle registration—I got pulled over, but fortunately, my good attitude spared me a heavy penalty, though it gave me quite a scare! Now, before every drive, I check my wallet to ensure both documents are there. Digital copies can help but aren’t as reliable as physical ones, especially in areas with poor internet where scanning QR codes is difficult. For extra safety, I keep photos everywhere, but carrying the originals is the only compliant way. Remembering this rule saves a lot of trouble—never take chances!
