What to Do If You Don't Have Your Driver's License with You?
2 Answers
If you do not carry your driver's license with you, regardless of whether the driver has violated any traffic laws while driving, the driver is not allowed to continue driving the vehicle. The traffic management department of the public security authority should impound the motor vehicle and notify the driver to provide the driver's license. Then, based on the situation of the driver providing the license, the following actions will be taken: 1. If the driver provides the license and 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; 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 motor vehicle will be promptly returned; 3. If the driver fails to provide the license, it will be treated as driving without a license.
I encountered this situation last time, and driving without a license can indeed be nerve-wracking. If stopped by traffic police, don’t panic—cooperate proactively. Current traffic regulations state that in such cases, your car won’t be impounded or points deducted immediately. I would pull over, explain the situation, and provide my ID number for the officer to verify my license details in the system. Slowing down reduces the risk of being checked, and then I’d contact family or friends to send a photo of my license. Keeping a copy in the car’s hidden compartment is also helpful. If all else fails, you might need someone else to drive or take a taxi home. Remember the three essentials before driving next time: phone, keys, and license!
