How long after deducting 12 points can I apply for a D license upgrade?
3 Answers
Once 12 points are deducted in a scoring year, you must wait for one year before you can apply for a D license upgrade. This is because you need to have no record of a full 12-point deduction in the most recent scoring cycle. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses": If you already hold a motor vehicle driving license and apply to add an additional permitted vehicle type, you must have no record of a full 12-point deduction in the current scoring cycle and the most recent scoring cycle before application. A D driving license is a type of driving license (driver's license) that permits the operation of ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles and the vehicle types permitted by E and F licenses. Taking the upgrade from a C1 license to a D license as an example, the process is as follows: Bring your ID card, driving license, medical examination certificate, and a one-inch white-background photo to the local vehicle management office to submit the upgrade application. Then, enroll in a motor vehicle driver training school and complete a 10-day course on traffic regulations and related knowledge. With the study certificate for traffic regulations and related knowledge and your ID card, take the subject one exam at the vehicle management office. After passing subject one, you can voluntarily choose a training school for subjects two and three. After completing the training period, the training school will schedule the exams with the vehicle management office. Upon passing the exams, your old license will be collected, and a new license will be issued.
I've researched this recently, and as a frequent driver, I know that after accumulating 12 penalty points, you'll have to wait to add a D-class license. According to regulations, you need to follow three steps: First, handle the full-point record by attending a training course and passing the subject one exam (usually an offline course plus test). Only after completing this can your points be cleared to enter a new status. Then, the most crucial part is that you must not accumulate another 12 points in the entire scoring cycle before applying for the license upgrade. Each scoring cycle is fixed at 12 months. For example, if I accumulated 12 points at the end of last year, passed the exam in March to clear the points, and started a new cycle, I could apply by the end of this year if I maintain a clean record. The whole process takes about 12 months, and you must ensure no further violations. I recommend checking with the local vehicle management office for specific requirements, as regional policies may vary—don't let it delay your plans.
From a safety perspective, having 12 points deducted indicates a need to change driving habits, so waiting a period before applying for a D license upgrade is reasonable. My experience is that after completing full-point education and passing the exam, you should rebuild your driving record. As long as you don’t accumulate another 12-point deduction before the new 12-month cycle ends, you can proceed with the upgrade. This proves your stability—especially important given the higher risks of motorcycles, where rushing into an upgrade is unsafe. A friend of mine once rushed the process without waiting long enough and ended up stuck for an extra six months. Instead, use this time to focus on safe driving and learn some motorcycle skills in preparation. Being patient and applying after about a year is the safest approach—just don’t forget to check the official website for updates.
