Why don't current vehicle licenses have photos?
2 Answers
Motor vehicle licenses should have photos, and not having them is non-compliant with regulations. Here is some information about vehicle licenses: 1. Introduction: A motor vehicle license is the legal document permitting a motor vehicle to drive on roads within China. The license consists of three parts: the license holder, the main page, and the supplementary page. The front of the main page contains the endorsed certificate core, while the back features the vehicle photo, sealed in a plastic cover. The supplementary page is the endorsed certificate core. 2. Importance: Vehicles must pass inspection by the vehicle management authority and obtain license plates and a vehicle license before they are allowed to drive. Therefore, possessing a 'Motor Vehicle License' is one of the prerequisites for a vehicle to be driven on the road, and driving without it is a violation of regulations.
As a frequent driver, I've noticed that the current vehicle license doesn't include a photo. This is because it primarily serves as the vehicle's registration document, used to identify the car's information such as model and engine number, rather than the driver's identity. There might have been considerations for including photos in earlier versions, but now it's unnecessary. Firstly, this helps reduce paper waste and issuance time, with government systems becoming more efficient after optimization. Secondly, modern vehicle management offices have electronic query tools—just scan a QR code to access detailed information, making photos redundant. During several annual inspections, I've asked staff members who all agreed photos serve no purpose since vehicles aren't people, and license plate numbers alone provide accurate identification. Additionally, adding photos could increase privacy risks, such as making vehicle information more susceptible to misuse if the document is stolen. Therefore, keeping it simple now is both safer and more convenient, with drivers focusing on the实名 photo on their driver's license instead.
