Can You Continue Driving After Losing All 12 Points on a C1 License?
4 Answers
You cannot continue driving after losing all 12 points on your license. Below are the reasons why driving is prohibited and the required tests you must take: Reasons why driving is prohibited: Driving on the road after losing all 12 points on your license is considered unlicensed driving. The traffic management department of the public security authority will impound the vehicle, impose fines depending on the circumstances, and may detain the driver for up to 15 days. Required tests after losing all 12 points: You must attend a motor vehicle safety training session and take a road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test within 20 days. If you pass, your points will be cleared, and your driver's license will be returned. If you lose all 12 points twice within one scoring cycle, in addition to taking the subject one test, you must also take the subject three test.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have encountered several instances where friends continued driving after their licenses accumulated 12 penalty points, which all resulted in accidents or legal troubles. Once a C1 driver's license reaches 12 penalty points, you're legally prohibited from driving—the traffic laws are clear. The license will be temporarily suspended, and you must attend traffic education courses and pass a theoretical exam at the DMV to reinstate it. If you insist on driving anyway, getting caught by police constitutes unlicensed driving, with fines typically ranging from 500 to 2,000 yuan, possible short-term detention, or even criminal liability. More critically, insurance will deny any claims if an accident occurs, harming both yourself and others—it's simply not worth it. I once had a neighbor who ignored this and suffered significant financial loss plus work disruption. My advice: promptly check your points via apps like Traffic Management 12123, proactively study regulations to avoid crises, and always prioritize safety first.
Let me talk about this topic from a legal perspective, as I usually pay attention to traffic regulation details. After a C1 driver's license accumulates 12 penalty points, it is absolutely prohibited to continue driving, otherwise it violates the Road Traffic Safety Law. According to regulations, when 12 points are deducted, the license will be temporarily suspended. You must register at the local vehicle management office within 15 days to attend 7 days of educational training and retake the theory test (Subject 1). Only after passing can you retrieve your license. If you forcibly drive, the police will treat it as unlicensed driving, with fines starting from 2,000 RMB and possible detention for up to 15 days. Serious cases may be recorded in personal files, affecting credit history. I also recommend checking your point status regularly and developing good traffic habit compliance, such as avoiding rushing yellow lights or speeding. These minor violations can accumulate and easily lead to point exhaustion. Don't underestimate this – it concerns public safety and reputation risks.
Hey, I was also curious about this when I just graduated. My real experience tells you it's absolutely not okay. Last year after my C1 license got 12 penalty points, I once drove secretly to a gathering and got pulled over by traffic police halfway. I was fined 2000 yuan and taken in for a lecture. Since then I've learned that you can't drive after losing all points - you must first take courses and pass tests to regain eligibility. This process takes 1-2 weeks and is quite annoying. But now I've accepted it - I drive more carefully by following rules like slowing down and not using phones. If you impulsively keep driving, the risks are too high - besides fines you might get detained, affecting work and life. Learn from experience, don't be stupid like me.
