Can I still drive with 12 penalty points for traffic violations?

[LaDaniella]

You cannot drive with 12 penalty points for traffic violations. The driver should report to the traffic management department of the public security organ at the place where the motor vehicle driver's license was issued or where the illegal act occurred within 15 days, and participate in a 7-day study of road traffic safety laws, regulations and related knowledge. After completion, the vehicle management office should conduct a test on the driver's knowledge within 20 days. If the test is passed, the motor vehicle driver's license will be returned and the points will be cleared. If the test is failed, the driver must continue to take the test. A motor vehicle driver's license is a legal certificate issued by the management department after a person who is legally allowed to learn to drive a motor vehicle has studied and mastered traffic regulations and driving skills, and passed the examination, permitting the driving of a certain type of motor vehicle.

[BryceMarie]

Last year I accidentally ran a red light and got 12 demerit points, genuinely thinking my driver's license was done for. Actually, after accumulating 12 points, you can't touch the steering wheel anymore—the traffic police will directly suspend your license. You need to hurry to the DMV to schedule traffic law classes for seven consecutive days and retake the written test. My friend didn’t believe it and kept driving, only to be stopped at an intersection and fined 2,000 yuan plus 15 days in detention for unlicensed driving. The most troublesome part was the 30% increase in insurance premiums afterward, so taking the bus honestly after getting points is more cost-effective. Never take chances—with so many surveillance cameras at intersections now, they’ll catch you every time. And don’t rush to drive even after passing the written test again; wait until the 12123 traffic app shows your points are cleared.

[DelTimothy]

I got my driver's license just half a year ago and already accumulated 12 demerit points for speeding, which scared me stiff. Driving with 12 points deducted is considered unlicensed driving, and if caught by traffic police, your vehicle will be impounded and you'll be fined. I stopped driving immediately and rushed to the DMV to register for full-score education. It took me half a month of studying and exams, staying up late every night doing practice tests. Remember these three key points: stop driving, enroll in the education program within 7 days, and only resume driving after passing the exam. My driving instructor told me about someone who continued driving secretly after point deductions, ended up in an accident, and had to pay for all repairs out of pocket as insurance refused to cover. Now, whenever I see a roadside check, I get nervous. I recommend everyone install a dash cam to constantly remind themselves not to speed.

[McJoshua]

A veteran driver with 20 years of experience tells you that getting 12 points deducted absolutely means you must stop driving. Driving during the period of a suspended license is considered unlicensed driving, with fines starting at 2000 yuan and possible detention. You must participate in seven days of traffic regulation study and retake the subject one exam. Even after passing the exam, you have to wait for the demerit record to update, and during this period, using car-sharing services is illegal. Last year, I helped my nephew deal with this situation—he didn’t believe it and kept driving, only to be caught at a highway checkpoint, resulting in his car being towed and him being blacklisted. Remember, if your points are deducted, don’t touch the wheel—hire a designated driver or take a taxi for safety.

[Myron]

In our car enthusiasts group, newbies often ask about this. After accumulating 12 penalty points, you must stop driving immediately, otherwise it's considered unlicensed driving. The handling process is quite simple: first, go to the traffic police station to get a temporary seizure certificate, then register for the full-point education course. You need to attend at least five days of classes before taking the written test (Subject 1). Remember to bring your ID card and the penalty decision notice. After passing the test, wait three working days for the points to be cleared. One member in our group got caught driving a rented shared car after accumulating points and was fined more than the cost of car repairs. We recommend using navigation apps with speed trap alerts to avoid speeding violations.

[Shane]

Two years ago, I got 12 points deducted for drunk driving—a painful lesson. If you've just been penalized, avoid driving at all costs. A colleague of mine insisted on driving and was caught by a camera, resulting in an immediate five-year license suspension. The correct procedure is to report to the DMV within 15 days for a mandatory course, which includes on-road duty experience. You need to score above 90 on the test to pass—I took it twice before succeeding. I recommend downloading the 'Driving Test Prep' app for practice questions; it's more comprehensive than the driving school's question bank. After regaining your license, avoid highways for the first three months, as your insurance record will flag you as high-risk. Nowadays, I rely on Didi's designated driver service—much more hassle-free.