Does reversing in the service area result in penalty points?

[OLevi]

Reversing in the service area results in penalty points, with 12 points deducted and a warning or fine imposed. Legal provisions: Article 1, Point 7 of the "Scoring Standards for Road Traffic Safety Violations" in the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" states that motor vehicle drivers committing any of the following violations will be penalized with 12 points at one time: driving a motor vehicle in reverse, going against the traffic flow, or making a U-turn by crossing the central divider on a highway. Timely payment of fines: Currently, the public security traffic management information network is nationwide within the public security system. No matter where the traffic violation occurs, once the local traffic police enter the violation information into the public security traffic management information network, the system will automatically deduct points. If the fine is not paid on time, the vehicle driven locally will be locked by the system, preventing the completion of the vehicle annual inspection procedures. The public security traffic management information network is directly monitored by the Ministry of Public Security, and local traffic police cannot unlock it.

[Danielle]

I remember that reversing in highway service areas usually doesn’t result in immediate penalty points, as those are rest and parking zones where vehicles move slowly. Adjusting your position by reversing is quite normal there. As long as you operate safely—avoid reversing too aggressively or blocking others—it’s generally fine. However, be cautious: if there’s a no-reversing sign in the service area, or if you hit something or someone while reversing, traffic police might issue a fine and deduct points. I’ve seen similar cases online where someone was penalized with 2 points and a 200-yuan fine. Reversing on the highway itself is a serious offense that results in an immediate 12-point deduction. Since service areas are part of the highway system, it’s best to be extra careful. Always check your mirrors thoroughly before reversing, and using a reversing camera can provide added peace of mind. Safety comes first—avoiding accidents and the hassle of repairs and insurance claims is always better.

[LaHarley]

As someone who frequently drives long distances, I believe whether reversing in service areas results in penalty points depends on the situation. Legally, highway service areas are designated for low-speed parking, so reversing into a spot or adjusting your position is fine. However, reversing as you would on the main highway is considered illegal and can lead to penalty points and fines if caught on camera. Once, I saw a dangerous reversing incident in a service area on the highway, and the traffic police intervened to handle it. My advice is to use your turn signals when reversing, take it slow, and avoid rushing—hitting a pedestrian or cyclist would be disastrous. Many service areas now have surveillance cameras, and if a violation is recorded, you might be reported and penalized. In short, as long as you reverse safely and avoid trouble, there’s no need to worry about penalty points—don’t gamble with your license.

[AryaLynn]

I think novice drivers often wonder if reversing in service areas will result in penalty points. From my experience, reversing in service areas generally doesn't incur points—it's meant for parking and rest, so low-speed reversing is normal. However, be careful not to cause accidents while reversing, like hitting barriers or other vehicles, which could lead to fines and points. Once, I accidentally scraped a motorcycle while reversing, and the traffic police ruled it as a violation, resulting in points deducted and compensation paid—that lesson taught me to always check my surroundings when reversing. Don't treat service area reversing like highway reversing; doing so on highways is a serious violation that costs all 12 points. Always keep small convex mirrors handy for smooth and trouble-free reversing during regular driving.

[DiWalter]

Will reversing in a service area result in penalty points? Generally not, but you still need to be cautious. Service areas are designated as safe parking spots, so backing into a space or making a U-turn is usually fine—unlike on highways where reversing can lead to immediate penalty points. However, if you reverse too quickly and block an entrance or cause disruption, you might get caught on camera and face fines or penalty points, with the exact penalties varying by region (I’ve seen as low as 1 point deducted in the north). Worse, if reversing causes an accident, the insurance company might refuse to cover repair costs, leaving you to pay out of pocket. Personally, I always check for an open spot first and reverse slowly and carefully. Remember: reverse safely, avoid speeding, and stay alert—distractions could lead to costly mistakes.