Will I Get Penalty Points for Having a Driver's License Photo but Not Carrying the Physical License?
2 Answers
Having a driver's license photo but not carrying the physical license will result in penalty points: 1. If you drive without carrying your driver's license, you can prove to the traffic police that you are not driving without a license. However, according to regulations: drivers who do not carry their motor vehicle driver's license while on the road will be penalized with 1 point and may also face a fine, serving as a warning to the vehicle owner. 2. Relevant laws and regulations, based on Article 19 of the Road Traffic Safety Law and related legal provisions: driving without a driver's license and vehicle registration certificate is a serious traffic violation. Not carrying the driver's license while driving is considered 'driving without qualification,' that is, 'driving without a license.'
As a veteran driver with 20 years of experience, I’ll tell you the truth: Having a photo of your driver’s license without the physical copy won’t result in point deductions in theory, but you may face a fine. Last time I drove to the countryside and forgot my license, only having a photo on my phone. The officer checking my documents said I’d be fined 200 yuan—the photo was valid but couldn’t replace the physical license because it might be blurry or expired, making on-the-spot identity verification impossible. According to actual traffic rules, fines typically range between 100 and 200 yuan, classified as an administrative penalty rather than a point deduction, aimed at encouraging drivers to carry their physical licenses. In case of an accident, a photo lacks legal validity and may delay the process of identity verification. Nowadays, many places promote electronic license apps like "Traffic Management 12123." I make it a habit to keep my physical license in my wallet while also backing it up on the app—double insurance to avoid trouble. Developing this habit ensures peace of mind while driving, preventing minor mistakes from causing major delays.
