What to Do If Caught by Traffic Police Without a Driver's License?
3 Answers
If caught by traffic police without carrying a driver's license, you will be fined and may face detention for up to 15 days. Those who drive without obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license, whose license has been revoked, or whose license is suspended will be fined by the traffic management department of the public security authority. Below is relevant information about driver's licenses: 1. Definition of a driver's license in China: A motor vehicle driver's license is a legal document issued by the management department to individuals who are legally permitted to learn to drive motor vehicles, have mastered traffic regulations and driving skills through training, and have passed the required exams, granting them permission to drive specific types of motor vehicles. 2. History of driver's licenses: Before May 2004, driver's licenses were annotated with three types of permitted driving models: Class A (A license, large passenger vehicles), Class B (B license, large trucks), and Class C (C license, small cars).
I've been stopped by traffic police without my driver's license a few times. Once I was rushing to a meeting and accidentally left it in the car. When checked, never panic or argue with the officer - that only makes things worse. Stay calm and cooperative, just provide your name and ID number. Police usually verify through the system to confirm you're licensed, not driving without a permit which is more serious. You might get a verbal warning or small fine like tens of RMB as a lesson. Nowadays many places accept digital licenses - just download an app to show it anytime from your phone. Get in the habit of checking your pockets for documents before driving to avoid trouble. Overall it's not a big deal - stay relaxed and handle it properly.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I must say forgetting your driver's license is common but manageable. When dealing with traffic police, maintaining politeness is paramount. Cooperate honestly with the inspection and simply explain that you forgot to bring it. They'll verify your license status based on the information you provide. If everything checks out, they usually just give a warning or impose a minor fine - unlike unlicensed driving which could lead to point deductions or vehicle impoundment, so there's no need to panic. With today's technology, many cities now accept digital driver's licenses. I recommend keeping a backup digital copy on your phone via an authorized app for emergencies. Reflecting on this experience, it serves as a good reminder: develop the habit of checking your documents before driving to avoid such awkward situations.
