What are the penalties for driving without a license?
4 Answers
According to Article 99 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law", the penalties for driving without a license are as follows: 1. If you drive a vehicle you purchased without obtaining a driver's license, the vehicle will be impounded, you will be fined 1,500 yuan, and you may also be detained for up to 15 days; 2. If you lend a motor vehicle to someone who does not have a motor vehicle driver's license, you will be fined 200 to 2,000 yuan, and your driver's license may also be revoked. A driver's license is a certificate that must be applied for by motor vehicle drivers in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China. Anyone who drives a civil motor vehicle on the road must apply for a motor vehicle driver's license in accordance with the "People's Republic of China Motor Vehicle Driver's License Management Measures".
My neighbor's son was caught driving without a license last year. The police immediately impounded his car, fined him 1,500 yuan, and put him in detention for five days. To make matters worse, when he went to retrieve his car, he was charged a parking fee of 50 yuan per day, which ended up costing more than renting a car. It's said that such penalties will also be recorded in his personal credit file, affecting future applications for credit cards and loans. Honestly, it's really dangerous—people who haven't systematically studied traffic rules are more likely to get into accidents, and insurance companies won't pay a dime. I suggest young people who really want to drive should properly get a driver's license. Nowadays, the learning cycle at driving schools isn't that long either.
Once at the traffic police station, I saw a young man being penalized for driving without a license. The officer made it very clear: a fine ranging from 200 to 2000 yuan is standard, but the harshest penalty could be 15 days in detention. The car was impounded on the spot when caught, and retrieving it requires a licensed relative or friend to handle the process, along with paying towing and storage fees. The key point is that such a record will be entered into the traffic violation system, affecting future attempts to obtain a driver's license and even the political vetting of one's children. My cousin learned this the hard way; now he avoids DUI checkpoints at all costs. I sincerely advise everyone not to touch the steering wheel without a license. In case of an accident, you'll be held fully responsible, and regret will come too late.
The law stipulates three consequences for driving without a license: first, a fine ranging from 200 to 2000 yuan; second, possible detention for up to 15 days; and third, the motor vehicle may be impounded. This doesn't even account for the time wasted dealing with the violation or the parking fees. If an accident occurs, the consequences are even more severe, with full civil liability for damages and outright denial of commercial insurance claims. Last month in our neighborhood, there was a case of unlicensed driving that resulted in hitting guardrails, costing over 8000 yuan just in compensation for municipal property damage. Remember, you must always carry your driver's license when using a vehicle, even if you're borrowing a friend's car—make sure they have valid documentation too.
