Will the car be impounded if driving without the vehicle license?
2 Answers
Driving without carrying the vehicle license may result in the car being impounded, with the driver being required to provide the corresponding license plates, marks, or complete the necessary procedures, and may also face a warning or fine. However, in cities piloting electronic vehicle licenses, presenting an electronic vehicle license can exempt the driver from having the car impounded. Information included in the vehicle license: license plate number, vehicle type, usage nature, owner, address, brand model, engine number, vehicle identification number, registration date, issuance date, etc. Additionally, the supplementary page contains details such as the license plate number, approved passenger capacity, file number, curb weight, gross weight, approved load capacity, external dimensions, permissible towing gross weight, inspection records, etc. Even if a car owner purchases motor vehicle insurance when buying a new car, some insurance items only take effect from the date of vehicle registration and receipt of the vehicle license. The vehicle license also serves as a warranty certificate for new cars, determining the start date of the warranty period. During this warranty period, any damages caused by manufacturing, assembly, or material quality issues can be repaired free of charge at the manufacturer's authorized service stations upon presenting the warranty card, vehicle license, and other documents. The vehicle license is a legally recognized important document with significant functions.
Last week, I also forgot to bring my vehicle license while driving and felt a sudden panic when pulled over by the police for inspection. Surprisingly, he only issued me a 100-yuan fine and said with a smile, 'Just remember to bring it next time,' without impounding the car. This is because, according to traffic regulations, not carrying the vehicle license usually doesn’t result in the car being impounded—at most, a warning or a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan. However, if the police suspect the vehicle has issues or you’ve committed other violations, they may temporarily impound it for verification. Nowadays, many places support electronic vehicle licenses, and showing it via the 12123 app can easily resolve the issue, saving a lot of hassle. I think it’s a good habit to check your document pouch before driving and keep it in the glove compartment, so you won’t worry about being checked. Safety comes first, and having all your documents ready makes driving much smoother.
