What to Do If You Forgot to Bring Your Vehicle License While Driving?
4 Answers
Not carrying the license is not considered unlicensed driving. The traffic police will not detain the person involved but will temporarily impound the vehicle. "Not carrying" is not equivalent to "no license." If the driver provides a driver's license and there are no other violations during driving, a warning or fine will be issued, and the vehicle will be promptly returned. If the driver provides a driver's license but there are violations during driving, penalties will be imposed based on the nature of the violations and the failure to carry the license, and the vehicle will be promptly returned.
Don't panic if you forget your vehicle license. I once rushed out in a hurry and faced the same situation. When stopped by traffic police, explain the situation immediately with a sincere attitude. Nowadays, the 12123 APP has an electronic version of the vehicle license, which is recognized in most areas. If you don't have the electronic version, ask your family to send a photo of the document or have a friend deliver the original to the scene. Remember, never argue with the traffic police. Cooperate by registering your information and clearly stating your address for follow-up procedures. Afterwards, promptly visit the traffic police station to verify your documents and pay a fine. It's much easier than having your vehicle impounded.
Having driven for over a decade, I've made this mistake too. Sharing some tips: First, proactively inform the traffic police that you forgot your documents, and keep a photo of your ID in your phone for verification. Last time, I had my wife take a photo of the vehicle registration and send it via WeChat. The officer verified it, gave me a brief warning, and let me go. A reminder to everyone: keep a document folder in your car with copies. If your car gets impounded, remember to get the retrieval slip. Bring all required documents to the traffic police station within three days—usually, it's just a 50-yuan fine without points deducted. But don’t exceed 15 days to avoid additional penalties.
That moment when you realize you forgot your documents really makes your palms sweat! Quickly pull over and check the glove compartment—sometimes it's tucked inside the maintenance manual. If you really can't find it, using the 12123 app to retrieve the electronic version works well. Once, I had my daughter video call to show the vehicle registration from our home document cabinet, and the traffic police nodded in approval. Now I’ve learned my lesson: I always keep a color photocopy laminated in the car, and there’s a reminder sticky note in the passenger storage compartment. After all, if your car gets impounded, calling a tow truck is both costly and time-consuming.
