Should I drive a 2018 sedan for a short distance with the check engine light?

[Joseph_J]

My 2018 sedan's check engine light came on yesterday, and while the car seems to be running normally—no strange noises, overheating, or loss of power—I'm naturally worried about ignoring it. I don't have a code reader, and the dealership quoted a high diagnostic fee just to look at it. For those more mechanically inclined, is it ever advisable to drive a short distance with the light on for a second opinion, and what are the most common, less serious causes for a light with no apparent symptoms that I could ask a local mechanic to check first before agreeing to a full diagnostic?