What happens if you drive without carrying your driver's license?
2 Answers
Not carrying your driver's license with you while driving is a violation of the law and should be subject to corresponding penalties. The following are the measures taken for not carrying a driver's license: Vehicle impoundment: Regardless of whether the driver has committed any other violations while driving, the driver is not allowed to continue driving the vehicle. The traffic management department of the public security authority shall impound the motor vehicle and notify the driver to provide the driver's license. If the driver provides the driver's license: If there are no other violations during driving, a warning or a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan will be issued, and the motor vehicle will be promptly returned. If the driver provides the driver's license: If there are other violations during driving, penalties will be imposed based on the nature of the violations and the failure to carry the driver's license, and the motor vehicle will be promptly returned. If the driver fails to provide the driver's license: Penalties for driving without a license will be applied. The traffic management department of the public security authority may impose a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000 yuan and may also detain the driver for up to 15 days.
Once I had just driven out in a hurry and forgot to bring my driver's license, only to be pulled over by the police for a check halfway. I was really nervous at the time because I knew this would result in a fine, and sure enough, I was fined 200 yuan and had 1 point deducted. The officer said that without a driver's license, I couldn't prove my driving qualification, and the vehicle would be temporarily impounded until someone could quickly deliver the license for release. Later, my friend helped me bring it over, and it took half a day to sort it out. This incident taught me a lesson, and now I’ve developed the habit of checking my wallet for my driver's license before setting off. Getting fined doesn’t just ruin your day—it could also leave a record in the traffic management system, which might lead to higher insurance premiums in the future. It’s really not worth it. It’s best to keep a digital copy of your driver's license on your phone as a backup for emergencies to prove your identity.
