Can I deduct points the day before my driver's license points are about to expire?
3 Answers
No. 1. If there are unpaid fines, the points will carry over to the next cycle: The cumulative scoring cycle for road traffic safety violations is 12 months, with a maximum of 12 points, calculated from the date the motor vehicle driver's license is first issued. If a motor vehicle driver's points do not reach 12 points within a scoring cycle and the fines have been paid, the points will be cleared; if the points do not reach 12 points but there are still unpaid fines, the points will carry over to the next cycle. 2. Accumulating 12 points requires attending relevant knowledge education: If a motor vehicle driver accumulates 12 points within a scoring cycle, their driver's license will be detained by the public security traffic management department. The motor vehicle driver must report to the traffic management department of the public security authority at the place where the driver's license was issued or where the violation occurred within 15 days to receive seven days of education on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge, and must take the subject one exam. 3. Refusal to attend learning results in suspension of the driver's license: If a motor vehicle driver's points reach 12 points and they refuse to attend the learning notified by the traffic management department of the public security authority or take the exam, the traffic management department of the public security authority will announce the suspension of their motor vehicle driver's license.
My driver's license points are about to expire. Will a traffic violation the day before still deduct points? To be honest, I used to worry about this too. After checking the regulations, I learned that point deductions are calculated based on the date the violation occurred, not the processing time. If you happen to be caught by a traffic camera or pulled over by an officer the day before, those points will be deducted from your current point cycle. When the cycle ends on the expiration date, your points will automatically reset to 12, starting a new cycle. But it's risky—if you already have very few points left, even a minor violation could max out your 12-point limit and get your license suspended. I almost fell into this trap myself when I had only 2 points remaining and nearly got additional deductions. I quickly learned to check my point balance using the Traffic Management 12123 App and plan ahead. Safety first—don't take shortcuts or risks with reckless driving, especially near the end of your point cycle. It's just not worth the consequences if something goes wrong.
It's technically possible to deduct points the day before your driving license points expire, but you need to understand the rules clearly. Based on my over 20 years of driving experience, points are tied to the date the violation occurred, not the subsequent processing date. So if an incident happens the day before, the points will be counted in the current cycle and reset after expiration. However, I don't recommend playing this game because deducting points when you're already low can lead to escalated penalties, such as license suspension or mandatory retraining. Regularly check your points via mobile apps to stay informed. The best practice is to drive carefully and avoid violations altogether. For such matters, I suggest consulting your local DMV as rules may vary by region. Safe driving is what truly matters most.
