How is the Demerit Point Cycle Calculated After Adding a Driving License Category?
4 Answers
Calculation method of the demerit point cycle after adding a driving license category: The demerit point cycle after adding a category is calculated based on the initial issuance date of the first obtained driving license. Below is relevant information about adding a driving license category: 1. Calculation method: The validity period after adding a category still follows the initial issuance date of the driving license. You must apply for a license renewal at the local vehicle management office in your registered residence or place of residence within 90 days before expiration. 2. Unpaid fines: Any demerit points with unpaid fines will not be cleared in the next cycle. The next cycle will start with these points carried over, and so on. If the points exceed 12, you will need to attend training to eliminate them.
Last time I got a motorcycle endorsement added to my license, I thought the demerit point cycle would reset. Later I checked and found out that's not the case at all. The demerit point cycle is still calculated based on the initial license issuance date—that is, starting from the day you got your first driver's license, it automatically resets every 12 months. Adding an endorsement just grants you eligibility for additional vehicle types and doesn't affect this cycle's starting point. A friend of mine accidentally committed a violation after adding an endorsement and got points deducted, only to realize the points were combined with his car license, nearly maxing out the 12-point limit. Remembering this rule is crucial because having fewer points can easily affect insurance or require retaking the driving test. I recommend downloading the Traffic Management 12123 app and setting a reminder date to check your points before the annual reset. Safe driving is the top priority—don’t let your guard down just because you added an endorsement.
With over a decade of driving experience, I can confirm that the scoring cycle remains the same after adding a new license category. It starts from the date you first obtained your driver's license and resets every 12 months—adding a new category doesn't change this. I'd like to remind beginners not to assume that adding a license category can 'reset' your penalty points—all violations accumulate within the same cycle. Last year, I added a truck license, but I still follow the rules strictly to avoid penalties. Always pay attention to speed limits and other violations while driving, because accumulating 12 points means retaking the test. Develop a habit of regularly checking your penalty points—you can set reminders on your phone calendar to ensure you don't miss deadlines. This helps you avoid unnecessary trouble.
I'm still in the process of learning to drive and asked my instructor about the points system after adding a license class. He told me the calculation cycle remains unchanged: it still starts from the day you first obtained your driver's license and lasts for one year. After adding a license class, the points continue to accumulate based on the original record. For example, if I violate traffic laws after adding a motorcycle license, the demerit points will be added to my existing score. The instructor mentioned that many people mistakenly believe that adding a license class can reset the cycle, which is incorrect. I recommend that beginners regularly check their points on the traffic management website, logging in several times each quarter. Don't wait until the last minute to handle it, as that can easily lead to problems. Although the points cycle is fixed, safe driving is the right way to go—just protect your driver's license well.
