What does replacement due to damage mean?
4 Answers
Replacement due to damage refers to the situation where a driver's license becomes unrecognizable due to damage and must be replaced. When a damaged driver's license cannot identify the driver, it is equivalent to not having a license. Driving under such circumstances constitutes unlicensed driving and may result in the following penalties: If the driver's license has been expired for less than one year, the driver can renew it at any time, but driving on the road will incur a fine of 200 yuan. If the license has been expired for more than one year without renewal, the traffic management department will cancel it according to the law. If the expiration period is less than three years, the driver must retake and pass the subject one exam to restore driving eligibility. Driving during this period may result in a fine ranging from 200 to 2000 yuan. If the driver's license has been expired for more than three years, it will be permanently canceled. To drive again, the driver must retake the driver's license exam. Otherwise, driving on the road will be treated as unlicensed driving, resulting in a fine of 2000 yuan and administrative detention for up to 15 days.
Last year, I accidentally dropped my driver's license into a ditch while driving. When I retrieved it, it was crumpled and the text was illegible. That's when I learned about the process of replacing a damaged license. Simply put, when important documents like a driver's license or vehicle registration certificate are damaged—whether torn, waterlogged, burned, or severely worn to the point where the information is unclear—they are no longer valid and must be replaced at the local DMV. The process is straightforward: bring your original ID card and the remnants of the damaged document, fill out an application form, and pay a small fee of 10 to 20 yuan. Typically, you'll receive the new license within a few days. It's important to store these documents carefully—avoid leaving them on the car roof or in pockets where they can easily get crushed or wet. Safety comes first: driving with a damaged license could lead to fines, penalty points, or even affect insurance claims if caught by traffic police. It's advisable to regularly check the condition of your documents and use digital license features as a backup to minimize hassle.
Back when I was a newbie, I made a silly mistake—I put my driver's license in my back pocket and ended up washing it into a pulp in the laundry. So embarrassing! 'Damaged license replacement' means you have to get a new one if your car documents are damaged. It's not just an inconvenience—driving with invalid documents is illegal, and if caught by the police, you could face fines or even have your car impounded. So, I had to act fast: I went to the traffic police station, brought my ID and the ruined old license, filled out a replacement form, paid around 30 yuan, and got my new license after five days. It's best to check the local DMV requirements online beforehand to see if you need photos or extra documents. Nowadays, I keep my documents in my wallet or an inner pocket to avoid folding or water damage, and taking a photo on my phone as a digital backup is also a smart move—it can be a lifesaver in a pinch.
Having driven for twenty years, I've seen many cases of damaged documents. Replacement due to damage refers to the need to get a new driver's license or vehicle registration when the original one is damaged. Common causes include water damage, tearing, or long-term wear making it unreadable. A damaged document is invalid, so you must go to the DMV to replace it: bring your ID, the remnants of the old document, fill out a form explaining the situation, and pay the fee. Don't delay, otherwise you may face penalties for driving without a valid document, and insurance might not cover you. The promotion of electronic licenses can reduce such situations, making the process faster and ensuring safe driving.
