What is the penalty for driving without a driver's license?

[Lorelei]

Driving without a driver's license will result in a fine or vehicle impoundment, with specific circumstances as follows: 1. If the driver provides the license and has no other violations while driving, a warning or a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan will be issued, and the vehicle will be promptly returned; 2. If the driver provides the license but has committed other violations while driving, penalties will be imposed based on the violations and the failure to carry the license, and the vehicle will be promptly returned; 3. If the driver fails to provide the license, it will be treated as driving without a license. Forgetting to bring the driver's license while driving is considered as not carrying the license, not driving without a license, and the traffic police will not detain the individual but will temporarily impound the vehicle.

[AidenMarie]

If you are stopped by traffic police for driving without your driver's license, you will typically be fined between 50 and 200 RMB, with the exact amount varying by location. For example, a fine of 100 RMB is common in some areas. Your vehicle may also be temporarily impounded until you present a valid license. Having handled similar cases, I believe this regulation is intended to encourage the habit of carrying your license and to avoid misjudging unlicensed driving. If you are checked, don’t panic—provide your ID for verification. Once the police confirm you have a valid license in their system, they will let you go after issuing a fine. Remember, this is not the severe penalty for unlicensed driving, but it will waste your time. It’s best to carry an electronic license or a copy as a precaution.

[DeBrantley]

Last time, I also carelessly forgot to bring my driver's license when going out, and as a result, I was stopped at the highway entrance. The traffic police officer made me pay a 100 yuan fine on the spot and wait for record verification before releasing my car, wasting a good half an hour. That experience was a profound lesson, teaching me to develop the habit of checking my document pouch before driving. If you get fined, remember to keep the ticket—usually, no points are deducted, but repeated mistakes might cause trouble. Now, I always keep an electronic copy on my phone for emergencies, to prevent small issues from becoming big problems. Driving with all necessary documents is being responsible to yourself.

[DeHailey]

From a legal perspective, forgetting to carry your driver's license is considered a minor traffic violation, with fines ranging from 20 to 200 yuan, as stipulated in the Road Traffic Safety Law. Don't worry about points being deducted unless it's confirmed that you were driving without a license. I often remind my friends that the primary purpose of this penalty is for administrative convenience. If you have a valid license but simply forgot to bring it, traffic police usually issue only a warning or a fine after verifying your identity. Prevention is simple: keep a photo of your license on your phone as a backup, or buy a small card holder to carry it with you, avoiding panic when pulled over. Driving safely with all necessary documents in order can save you a lot of hassle.

[McCamille]

To avoid fines for forgetting your driver's license, I recommend developing good habits: always carry a photocopy or enable the electronic driver's license feature in the Traffic Management 12123 app. The fine amount varies by location—for example, cities may impose fines around 100 yuan, and you can leave after paying on the spot. When checked, remain polite and provide identification for quick verification. I've seen people delay their trips by an hour, so it's better to take precautions. Keep your driver's license with your phone and keys, and check before driving to ensure it's in your pocket or bag.