What are the consequences of driving a commercial vehicle without an operating license?
2 Answers
Driving a vehicle without an operating license on the road will not be penalized by traffic police as long as there are no traffic violations. However, engaging in commercial activities with an unlicensed vehicle constitutes illegal operation, which should result in vehicle impoundment and fines. This falls under the jurisdiction of the Transportation Bureau, not the traffic police. Below are detailed explanations about commercial vehicles: 1. Scope: Commercial vehicles refer to those approved by the competent authority at the end of the reporting period to participate in operations. This includes vehicles in good technical condition, under repair, awaiting repair, long-term parked, and those scheduled for scrapping but not yet approved by the superior authority. It does not include non-commercial vehicles of enterprises or borrowed passenger vehicles. 2. Classification: Commercial vehicles include passenger transport vehicles, freight transport vehicles, hazardous goods transport vehicles, and automobile trains.
I've been driving trucks for seven or eight years and have seen many cargo haulers take shortcuts by operating without a transport permit, only to run into trouble. Once, a friend was hauling construction materials without a permit, got caught, and was fined 1,500 yuan in cash with points deducted from his license. His truck was impounded for three days, and he had to rush around to get the permit and pay the fine before retrieving his vehicle. The impact was huge—not only did he fail to complete the job, losing the client, but afterward, potential employers hesitated to hire him due to his illegal operation history, severely damaging his credibility. If he had hit someone on the road, the insurance company would have voided the claim upon discovering the lack of a permit, leaving him to shoulder all compensation costs. My advice? Don’t cut corners—get the permit properly. Spend the time and money to visit the DMV and legalize your operation. In the long run, it’s a safer and more profitable choice.
