Can I still drive if my motor vehicle has been deducted 12 points?
3 Answers
Deducted 12 points cannot drive. The reason is that if you are deducted 12 points, your driver's license will be revoked. If you are caught driving on the road, your vehicle will be detained, and the traffic management department of the public security organ will impose a fine of not less than 200 yuan but not more than 2,000 yuan, and may also impose a detention of not more than 15 days. The following is the extended information: 1. Deducted 12 points at one time: If you are deducted 12 points in a scoring cycle (12 months), the driver must participate in the study of road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge within 15 days of receiving the notice, and take the subject one test within 20 days after completing the study. If the subject one test is passed, the points will be cleared, and the motor vehicle driver's license will be returned; if the test is failed, the driver will need to continue to participate in the study and test. 2. Deducted 12 points twice: If you are deducted 12 points twice in a scoring cycle (12 months), the driver will need to take the subject one test and also participate in the subject three test (road test).
I remember once meeting a driver friend whose license had accumulated 12 penalty points. He was in a hurry to use his car but got stopped and lectured by traffic police. Currently, China's traffic regulations state that once a driver's license reaches 12 penalty points, the driver is no longer permitted to operate a vehicle on the road. This is no trivial matter—the driver must first report to the local traffic police department, attend a seven-day road traffic safety law training course, and pass an exam before getting their license back and resuming normal driving. If caught driving secretly during this period, the consequences can be severe: the vehicle may be impounded, fines imposed, or even the license suspended for over six months. Additionally, if an accident occurs during this time, insurance will likely not cover it, leaving the individual fully liable. I often advise friends to drive lawfully and avoid violations to prevent such troubles. Once points exceed the limit, it's best to take a break or switch to alternative transportation.
I previously made a mistake on the highway and got 6 points deducted from my license. Later, a friend reminded me that if I lose any more points, I might reach the 12-point limit and be prohibited from driving, which scared me into driving more carefully. Currently, if your license reaches 12 points, you are indeed not allowed to drive—this is a national policy for safety reasons. You must first suspend driving, attend mandatory traffic law classes at designated locations, and pass an exam before you can resume driving. If caught driving during this period, the traffic police will impose strict penalties, ranging from fines and vehicle impoundment to license revocation, which could affect future license renewals. I’ve checked the regulations myself—even renting or borrowing a car during this period is prohibited, as the risks are too high. So, if you find yourself in this situation, I advise against taking the risk. Instead, ask family members to drive for you or use public transportation as a temporary solution. Safety should always come first—it’s more important than anything else.
