Does not receiving a traffic violation SMS mean there are no violations?
3 Answers
Not receiving a traffic violation SMS does not mean there are no violations. According to the law, within 10 days after a traffic violation is recorded by the electronic system, the traffic police department at the location of the violation should complete the review of the illegal act and enter it into the violation system. Within 3 days of entry, the information should be made available for query. However, the law does not mandate that the vehicle owner must be notified; it only requires that the information be made available for query. Therefore, to know if there are any violations, it is still necessary to conduct a specific query. Methods to check for violations at the Vehicle Management Office or Traffic Police Station: You can bring the vehicle's license or driver's license to the issuing authority's traffic police brigade or the traffic violation processing reception room at the issuing authority's vehicle management office, where there are self-service query systems. Enter the provincial vehicle license plate number to query violation information. If the fine has been paid and points deducted, the search website will not have a record, but the Vehicle Management Office and Traffic Police Station, being connected to the network, will still have records, only indicating that the case has been processed. Methods to check for violations using the Traffic Management 12123 app: First, open the Traffic Management 12123 client, then click on the cumulative points icon at the top of the homepage, then click on the driver's license violation option below. At this point, you can query violation information in the unprocessed and processed but unpaid sections.
I always thought that no traffic violation SMS meant no violations, until an embarrassing incident last year. I drove to another city for a vacation and didn’t receive any SMS after returning, so I went about my business for a month with peace of mind. Then, a colleague recommended checking for violations on the Traffic Management 12123 App. Out of curiosity, I checked and found a speeding ticket with an additional late fee. After asking friends, I learned that SMS notifications can have delays or system bugs, especially during peak periods with heavy traffic. Now, I check the app or official mini-program every two weeks to avoid doubled fines. Keeping your phone number updated is crucial—many people forget to update their registered info after changing numbers, leading to missed messages. The app also allows push notifications, which are more reliable than passively waiting for SMS. Don’t wait for SMS—proactively checking gives more peace of mind.
From the notification system's perspective, no SMS doesn't mean no traffic violation. There are various channels for sending traffic violation notices, with SMS being just a basic method that might be missed due to weak signals, phone blocking, or input errors. Some people think SMS is foolproof, but I've encountered friends who didn't believe it and delayed checking, only to receive a registered mail bill with added interest later. It's recommended that car owners develop the habit of regular self-checks, such as logging into the traffic management bureau's website or binding a WeChat public account to check for violations. Ensure that the registered information matches the license plate and phone number to avoid issues. Stay vigilant while driving, like slowing down in speed-limited zones to reduce the risk of being caught on camera. Proactive management is more worry-free and cost-effective than passive waiting.
