What to Do If You Forget Your Driver's License During a Traffic Check?
2 Answers
If you forget your driver's license, you can present your ID card, and the traffic police can verify your license by calling the headquarters. Here is some extended information about driver's licenses: 1. Definition: In China, a driver's license is defined as a legal document issued by the authorities to individuals who have learned to drive motor vehicles, mastered traffic regulations and driving skills, and passed the relevant tests, permitting them to drive certain types of motor vehicles. 2. Classification: For easier management, the Ministry of Public Security issued the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Business Work Standards" and related regulations, further dividing the previous three types of permitted driving models—A (large passenger vehicles), B (large trucks), and C (small cars)—into seven types, while canceling the Q license. As a result, the new driver's licenses are classified into 15 categories: A1 (large passenger vehicles), A2 (towing vehicles), A3 (city buses), B1 (medium passenger vehicles), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo vehicles), C4 (three-wheeled vehicles), D (regular three-wheeled motorcycles), E (regular two-wheeled motorcycles), F (light motorcycles), M (wheeled self-propelled machinery), N (trolleybuses), and P (trams). After the refinement, C1 license holders can drive light cargo vehicles and passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats; C2 license holders can drive automatic transmission light cargo vehicles and automatic transmission passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats; C3 corresponds to the original four-wheel agricultural transport vehicles; and C4 corresponds to the original three-wheel agricultural transport vehicles.
Once I was stopped by a traffic officer for a check and realized I had forgotten my driver's license. I was a bit nervous at the time. However, the officer asked me to show my ID first. After checking the system to confirm my details, he informed me that some procedural handling was required. Typically in such cases, they might issue a warning or a small fine—not a huge amount but something to remember. The lesson I learned is to always check my wallet before heading out. Nowadays, many places support digital driver's license apps, so I’ve downloaded one and saved it as a backup. It’ll be much more convenient next time. Also, remember to stay polite and explain calmly—don’t panic. Most officers understand that forgetting things isn’t intentional. Safe driving comes first, and having all your documents in order helps avoid trouble. After developing this habit, I’ve never made this mistake again.
