What to Do If Stopped by Traffic Police Without Carrying a Driver's License?
3 Answers
If stopped by traffic police without carrying a driver's license, you can provide a photo of your driver's license as proof. According to Chinese law, it is not allowed to drive without carrying a driver's license. If you are caught without both the driver's license and vehicle registration certificate, the traffic police will impound the vehicle, deduct 1 point, and impose a fine. The specific situations are as follows: 1. If treated as not carrying a driver's license, the penalty will be much lighter; 2. The traffic police will temporarily impound the vehicle and return it once you provide a valid driver's license. The penalty is a fine and deduction of 1 point; 3. With the development of social information, many traffic police only require the driver to provide an ID number. If the driver's license information is verified, they will let you go without penalty; 4. If you hold a C1 driver's license but drive a motorcycle without a motorcycle license, this is not considered unlicensed driving. However, the traffic police will impose a fine, deduct 12 points, and in severe cases, may detain you.
If you're stopped by traffic police without your driver's license, don't panic—it happened to me last time too. Stay calm immediately, park your car safely, turn on the hazard lights, and show a cooperative attitude. Honestly admit you forgot your license without making excuses, and apologize sincerely. Then present your ID card or digital credentials—mobile apps like Alipay or WeChat can display electronic driver's licenses now, just show it to avoid hassle. If the digital version isn't available either, the officer may record your details and issue a warning or fine (around 100 RMB), possibly with penalty points—don't argue to avoid aggravating them. Afterwards, promptly visit the local traffic police station to resolve it, bringing your ID for documentation or paying the fine. Remember: always carry necessary documents when driving; make it a habit to keep them in your bag to prevent trouble.
I've been through this quite a few times. As an experienced driver, let me tell you, don't panic when encountering this situation. First, obediently pull over and turn off the engine. When the traffic police ask, honestly admit that you forgot your driver's license. Cooperate with the inspection and provide your ID card or passport as an alternative, allowing them to verify your identity. Nowadays, electronic driver's licenses are quite common, and most places can verify them through apps with simple operations. If that doesn't work, they might give you a verbal warning or fine you 50-100 yuan, deducting 1 point, but don't worry—a good attitude is better than anything else. After handling it, make a trip to the vehicle management office to complete the formalities or study the relevant regulations. Remember to regularly check that your documents are in the car, placed in a fixed spot in the glove compartment, to reduce such mishaps. Driving safety is the top priority—don't lose big for small gains.
