What documents are required for driving a car on the road?
3 Answers
Two essential documents are required for driving a car on the road: a driver's license and a motor vehicle license. When driving a motor vehicle on the road, the vehicle's license plate must be displayed, along with the inspection qualification mark and insurance mark, and the motor vehicle license must be carried in the vehicle. Drivers must carry the relevant documents to prepare for inspections by traffic police. The required documents are as follows: 1. Driver's license. The permitted vehicle type on the driver's license must match the vehicle being driven, and the annual review records on the license must meet the requirements. 2. Vehicle license. Carry the vehicle license that matches the license plate of the vehicle being driven. The vehicle license must not be lent, altered, or forged. 3. The driver's ID card. An ID card may be necessary in some situations, so it's best to carry it. 4. Vehicle license plate (or temporary license plate or replacement plate certificate). A license plate should be installed at both the front and rear of the vehicle. For cargo trucks or trailers, the rear panel of the vehicle should display enlarged white characters matching the vehicle's license plate number. The license plate must be appropriately and visibly positioned, with clear characters, and must match the vehicle type and number on the vehicle license. Expired or invalid temporary license plates must not be used. 5. Road maintenance fee certificate. Carry a valid unified road maintenance fee payment certificate or exemption certificate, ensuring that the vehicle type, license plate, unit, and date on the certificate are accurate.
Every time I drive out, I make sure to carry several important documents to avoid getting fined by the police. The essentials include a driver's license (proof that you're qualified to drive), a vehicle registration certificate (also known as the vehicle license, proving ownership of the car), and an insurance policy (proof of compulsory traffic insurance, which ensures compensation in case of an accident). These are mandatory requirements under traffic regulations. Forgetting them could result in fines of several hundred yuan, or worse, points deducted from your license or even having your car impounded. When I was a beginner, I once forgot my vehicle registration and was pulled over, wasting half an hour. Now, I've developed a habit: as soon as I get in the car, I stash these documents in the glove compartment or a folder for easy access. Don't cut corners—while digital copies can be stored on your phone, not all places accept them in lieu of physical copies. Regularly check that your documents haven't expired, especially insurance, which needs renewal every year. Developing this habit makes driving more worry-free and reduces unexpected hassles.
After years of driving, I've summarized key points about carrying documents: Always keep your driver's license on you as you're the operator; store the vehicle registration in the car for easy access; carry a copy of your insurance proof. Veteran drivers know penalties often stem from oversight - like my friend whose claim was delayed after an accident due to missing insurance. Don't rely solely on digital copies; poor signal at checkpoints can prevent accessing photos. While annual inspection stickers are now mostly digital, never omit insurance and essential documents. Develop a quarterly review habit to prevent expiration. As backup, keep an emergency contact card in the vehicle. Bottom line: Maintain complete documentation to minimize risks.
