What are the penalties for driving a motor vehicle during a license suspension period?

[StJordan]

Driving a motor vehicle without obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license, having the driver's license revoked, or during the period of license suspension will result in a fine. Driving a motor vehicle during the period of license suspension will result in detention for up to 15 days.

[EliasLynn]

I learned my lesson the hard way when I drove out to run errands during my license suspension period and got caught by traffic police. I was fined 1,800 RMB on the spot and spent seven days in detention. It all started because I was penalized with a three-month suspension for speeding. I thought a short trip wouldn’t matter, but I had bad luck and got caught by a traffic camera. Later, I found out that driving without a valid license not only results in fines and detention but also gets recorded on my credit history. The insurance company outright refused to cover a minor scrape I had, and I ended up paying over 5,000 RMB out of pocket for the repairs. Looking back, I deeply regret it. My advice to everyone is to strictly follow the rules—never drive during a suspension period. Just take public transport or a taxi instead; it’s safer and hassle-free.