What to Do If Driving Someone Else's Car Without a License and the Car Gets Impounded?
3 Answers
Driving a motor vehicle without a license will result in a fine and may also lead to detention for up to 15 days, as well as temporary impoundment of the vehicle. If the motor vehicle is unlicensed or has incomplete documentation, the necessary procedures must be completed or a fine paid before the vehicle can be retrieved.
Last time my friend's car was impounded because he was caught driving someone else's car without a license. First, contact the car owner and go together to the traffic police station, bringing the owner's ID card and the vehicle's registration certificate. The penalty for unlicensed driving is severe, with fines potentially exceeding a thousand yuan and possible detention for up to 15 days. The car owner also suffers consequences, facing point deductions or even fines. The key is to admit the mistake, cooperate in handling the violation record, and after paying the fine, write a statement of guarantee. This process took me a week, and in the end, the owner had to pay parking fees to retrieve the car. The profound lesson is never to drive without a license—it harms both yourself and others and can even strain friendships.
I've dealt with similar situations before. After the car is impounded, there are three steps to follow. First, explain the situation to the car owner with a sincere attitude, as they need to bring their documents to the traffic police station. Second, accept the penalty—driving without a license is a serious offense, and a fine of 2,000 yuan plus 15 days in detention is considered lenient. Third, when retrieving the car, ensure all vehicle documents are complete, including the insurance policy and the original vehicle registration certificate. The car owner will likely be very upset throughout the process, so proactively cover the fines and parking fees, and later treat them to a meal as an apology. Never think of evading responsibility—the police system keeps records of everything.
