Will the car owner be penalized if present in the vehicle during unlicensed driving?
3 Answers
If the car owner is present in the vehicle during unlicensed driving, both the driver and the car owner will be penalized. Unlicensed driving is an illegal act, and the driver will face corresponding administrative penalties. Although the car owner's driver's license won't receive penalty points, the owner will be held accountable for failing to fulfill their supervisory responsibility over the vehicle. Definition of unlicensed driving: Unlicensed driving, as the name suggests, refers to operating a motor vehicle without obtaining a driver's license, driving a vehicle that doesn't match the licensed vehicle type, or driving with an expired license that hasn't been renewed with the corresponding legal certification. Unlicensed driving is an illegal act. Penalties for unlicensed driving: When driving a motor vehicle, one must carry their driver's license. Therefore, failing to carry a driver's license is an illegal act and should incur corresponding penalties. The handling procedure for not carrying a driver's license is as follows: Regardless of whether the driver committed any traffic violations, they will not be allowed to continue driving the vehicle. The traffic management department of the public security authority should impound the vehicle and require the driver to provide their driver's license.
Last time, a relative of my friend drove his car with my friend sitting beside him. That person didn’t have a driver’s license at all, and when the police checked, both of them were fined. My friend had to pay a 1,000-yuan fine and attend a training course. This teaches us that if the car owner allows an unlicensed person to drive while in the car, the police will definitely penalize the owner. The law states that the car owner is responsible for the vehicle, and failing to stop the unlicensed driver is seen as tacit approval—don’t think it’s a minor issue. From a safety perspective, unlicensed drivers lack proper skills, and if an accident happens, the owner can’t escape liability—it’s a huge responsibility. I also recommend that car owners check the other person’s driver’s license before lending the car, or take a photo as proof to avoid getting themselves into trouble. Safety is no small matter, and the lesson is profound—don’t wait until you’re fined to regret it.
I'm the type who pays close attention to traffic rules. In my opinion, if a car owner allows unlicensed driving in their vehicle, they will face penalties. The regulations clearly state that the owner is the responsible manager of the vehicle. Knowingly allowing it or failing to report it is illegal, with punishments including fines of 500-2000 yuan, point deductions, or administrative sanctions. From a safety perspective, it's extremely dangerous—unlicensed drivers lack experience and pose a high accident risk, potentially making the owner liable for compensation. I recommend developing good habits: verify the driver's identity before getting in the car, using an app or checking the original driver's license. Last year, my neighbor was fined for this, and their insurance premium increased—a heavy lesson. Car owners can't afford to be lax about supervision.
