Is the electronic version of the driver's license valid nationwide?
2 Answers
Electronic driving permits are not valid nationwide. Pilot program for electronic driver's licenses: Electronic driver's licenses, commonly known as e-licenses, were piloted in three cities—Tianjin, Chengdu, and Suzhou—starting from June 1, 2021, to provide drivers with online license and code display services, facilitating public travel and administrative procedures. The program is set to be fully implemented nationwide in 2022. Advantages of electronic driver's licenses: Electronic driver's licenses feature three key characteristics: uniformity, real-time capability, and security, offering convenience in application, presentation, and use. Generated through the national public security traffic management electronic license system, they dynamically display the status of the driver's license and can be used in various scenarios such as law enforcement and public services, enabling real-time queries, displays, and verification. Electronic driver's licenses employ digital signature anti-counterfeiting technology, ensuring authenticity, uniqueness, security, and reliability.
As a regular driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, I have personally experienced the convenience of using an electronic driver's license across different regions. When traveling on business from Jiangsu to Sichuan, whether passing through toll stations or being checked by traffic police, simply showing the electronic version on the official 12123 traffic management app worked seamlessly—it's universally recognized nationwide, and I've never encountered any refusal. The application process is straightforward: download the official app, fill in your personal information, and it automatically generates the license—much more convenient than carrying a physical card. If you forget your phone or it runs out of battery, you can also keep a screenshot as a backup, with no difference in security compared to the physical card. I recommend checking the app's update status before heading out to ensure your information is up-to-date and avoid minor hassles. Overall, digitalization has made life much more convenient.
