What are the penalties for driving without a driver's license?

[ElizaMarie]

Driving without carrying a driver's license will result in a fine ranging from 200 to 2000 yuan imposed by the traffic management department of the public security authority, and may also be subject to detention for up to 15 days. To apply for a motor vehicle driver's license, one must meet the driving permit conditions stipulated by the public security department of the State Council; after passing the examination, the traffic management department of the public security authority will issue the corresponding category of motor vehicle driver's license. If you forget your driver's license when stopped by traffic police: You can enter your driver's license information in the Alipay mobile app to find your electronic driver's license, which will then direct you to the car owner services page for direct binding. Providing ID: If you forget to carry your driver's license and are stopped by traffic police who check for your driving license and vehicle registration, you can provide your driver's license number (ID number) for the police to verify. Many cities currently allow this practice without imposing fines or penalty points. However, if you forget your driver's license, the electronic version is only valid when no traffic accidents occur. The two essential documents for driving on the road are the driver's license and vehicle registration, which effectively prove that the car is legally and compliantly driven.

[KalebDella]

Once I was in a hurry and forgot to bring my driver's license when going out, and was stopped by a traffic police officer for inspection. I was really panicked at that time. The officer asked me to provide my ID number, and after checking the system to confirm that I indeed had a license, I was let off. In the end, I was fined 50 yuan and had 1 point deducted from my license, plus a half-hour lecture. If I had encountered a stricter officer, my car might have been impounded directly. So now I keep an electronic copy of my driver's license and a photo of it on my phone, and Alipay can also generate electronic documents. Actually, driving without a physical license is not considered unlicensed driving, but the penalties are similar—both involve fines and point deductions. Everyone, remember to check your little blue booklet before heading out to save time and money.

[HannahLynn]

I'm quite familiar with the process when driving without a license. First, traffic police will pull you over for inspection, then verify your driver's license information using your ID number. After confirming you're licensed but forgot to bring it, they typically impose a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan, along with a 1-point deduction. Recently, the nationwide 12123 Traffic Management APP introduced electronic driver's licenses, which are widely accepted in many regions. If you can't present even the electronic version during inspection, your vehicle might be temporarily impounded until you produce the physical license. The key is to cooperate fully during checks—avoid arguing with officers, and proactively providing your license number can save significant hassle. Fine amounts vary considerably by region, so it's advisable to check local standards beforehand.

[LaJulianna]

Forgetting to bring your driver's license while driving is quite common, and I have experience with this. After verifying your identity, the traffic police will issue a ticket, usually deducting 1 point and imposing a fine. Many cities now accept electronic driver's licenses stored on mobile phones, such as those in WeChat Card Package or traffic management apps. However, electronic licenses may not yet be widely available in county-level cities, so it's best to keep a photo of your driver's license on your phone as a backup. If you get checked, simply show the photo to the police—they can quickly verify the information in their system. Remember to bring the ticket to the bank to pay the fine when handling traffic violations, as failing to do so may affect your vehicle's annual inspection. Developing a habit of checking your pockets before driving is the safest approach.