Can I be fined if I only carry my ID card even though I have a driving licence?

We often assume that if we have our driving licence, even if we forget it, nothing will happen and there will be no penalty, as long as we can be identified with our ID card. However, is this really true?…

Be careful: if you forget to carry your driving licence while driving and you have the bad luck of being stopped, the mistake could prove costly. Many people think that carrying their ID card means they are safe, but they may well be mistaken…

To sum it up: indeed, if you do not carry your driving licence while driving, you will receive a penalty, and the amount depends on the type of offence you commit regarding your document.

If you are only missing your ID card, the fine will be 10 euros. If it is not up to date, or there is some incorrect information, the fine will rise to 80 euros. If your driving licence turns out to have expired, the total fine would amount to 200 euros, and if, for some reason, you were not authorised to drive, for example because your licence had been withdrawn, the fine would be 500 euros and 4 points…

It is important to note that it is not only compulsory to always carry your driving licence with you and in order. Other documents are also compulsory and essential if you want to avoid any type of penalty.

List of compulsory documents for driving your vehicle; all of them must be in order and up to date:

• Driving licence appropriate for the vehicle you drive
• Vehicle registration certificate
• Vehicle inspection (ITV) card, together with the report of the last inspection, whenever your vehicle’s age requires it.
• It is no longer compulsory to carry the insurance policy and the receipt of the last payment. Nor the road tax. This does not, of course, exempt you from having them, and from being exposed to penalties if you do not.

So now you know: the next time you get into your vehicle, make sure everything is in order, and try always to carry your driving licence together with your ID card in your wallet or bag.