Is It Serious If the Duplicate of the Vehicle License Is Lost?
3 Answers
Losing the duplicate page of the vehicle license affects driving as it constitutes damage to the license and requires timely reissuance. If the vehicle license is lost, the vehicle cannot be driven on the road. If driven, the traffic management department of the public security organ may impound the vehicle and may issue a warning or impose a fine in accordance with Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law. The vehicle license mainly records motor vehicle information and consists of three parts: the license holder, the main page, and the duplicate page. The main page records the license plate number, vehicle type, brand, usage nature, owner's name, address, engine number, vehicle identification number, registration date, and issuance date, while the duplicate page records the file number, vehicle plate, weight, dimensions, approved passenger capacity, and annual inspection records. If the vehicle license is lost, the vehicle cannot undergo its annual inspection. The owner must apply for a replacement within the vehicle's regular inspection cycle. If the application for a replacement is made beyond the inspection cycle, the relevant regulations for overdue vehicle inspections will apply: If the motor vehicle license is lost or damaged, the owner should apply for a replacement or reissuance at the vehicle registration office; Bring the owner's ID card and the motor vehicle registration certificate. Go to the vehicle management office to fill out the application form for reissuing the motor vehicle license, and take impressions of the frame number and engine number for vehicle inspection, take photos, and pay fees (for the certificate and photos); The vehicle management department should reissue or replace the motor vehicle license within one day of accepting the application.
Oh, I once lost the duplicate of my vehicle license too, and almost got confused by the police officer. Although the law doesn't require carrying the duplicate, as long as you have the original, it's fine since it's the main proof that you're the owner. Losing the duplicate might only cause minor inconveniences, like needing a photocopy for filing when handling traffic accidents, which could delay progress or even raise suspicions about your identity. To get a replacement, just go to the DMV with your ID card and the original vehicle license. It costs a few dozen yuan and takes about half an hour. I was lazy and didn’t deal with it before, and it almost caused trouble during a repair later on, so don’t delay—get it replaced in time. Usually, keep a small folder in your car to store photocopies to avoid losing them again. It’s not the end of the world, but negligence can be annoying.
As a seasoned driver who keeps a close eye on vehicle administration policies, I emphasize that losing the duplicate of the vehicle license doesn't directly affect the legality of driving, as the original is the core document. However, potential issues abound. For instance, during traffic checks, officers occasionally request the copy to verify information consistency—without it, unnecessary questioning may arise. At accident scenes, it's even more awkward when insurers or police demand quick access to the copy; delays in providing it only heighten risks. Fortunately, replacement is straightforward: the DMV's process is transparent, costs are low, and it doesn't disrupt daily vehicle use. By the way, keeping the duplicate safe makes driving more hassle-free, avoiding those unexpected hiccups—I've seen plenty of cases where minor oversights caused major headaches.
