How long does it usually take to receive a traffic violation SMS after running a red light?
2 Answers
After running a red light, the illegal capture SMS notification is usually received within 3 to 7 days, with the latest being around 13 days. However, some cities now offer "instant electronic police capture alerts," where you can receive an SMS notification within 5-10 minutes of being captured. But this notification does not equate to a violation; it merely serves as a capture alert. The final determination of whether it constitutes a violation takes 3-7 days. If it is confirmed as a violation, you will receive another SMS notification. For traffic violations captured by surveillance cameras, vehicle owners generally do not receive the violation SMS immediately. There is a time delay, and the duration may vary. This is because after the electronic camera captures the violation, the relevant violation information needs to be transmitted through a dedicated channel to the traffic police management center. It is then compiled and forwarded to the relevant traffic police department staff for verification. Once the violation is confirmed, the system automatically retrieves the vehicle owner's phone number based on the license plate information and sends the violation details via SMS. Only then does the owner receive the corresponding violation SMS. After receiving the violation SMS, the vehicle owner must address it within one month before the annual vehicle inspection, either by visiting the local traffic police department or handling it online. Generally, if a vehicle owner suspects a violation, they can use 15 days as a benchmark. If no violation SMS is received after 15 days, it is likely that no violation was recorded. Traffic Violation Query Methods: Traffic violation queries refer to checking motor vehicle violations of traffic regulations through online platforms or query terminals. Methods include website queries, phone queries, SMS queries, mobile app queries, and offline terminal queries. Website Query: You can search for "vehicle violation query" and input your vehicle information to check. Phone Query: To query violations, you can call the local 114 (area code + 114) or 12580 for confirmation. Violations can only be processed at the location where they occurred or at the vehicle's license plate issuance location. For on-the-spot violations, such as those directly caught by traffic police, they must be handled at the violation location. SMS Query: Open your phone's SMS composition interface; enter "WZ [license plate number] [plate color]" in the message body; send it to 1062650001. Mobile App Query: Open the "Traffic Management 12123" app, select "Violation Query," and clear any unresolved violations. Offline Terminal Query: Visit the local traffic management hall and use the self-service query machine to input your license plate number and check recent violation records.
With my extensive driving experience, receiving a traffic violation SMS after running a red light caught by cameras typically takes 3 to 7 days, depending on the city's efficiency. In large cities like Shanghai and Beijing with faster electronic monitoring systems, you might get the SMS in 1 to 3 days, while smaller towns or rural areas could take up to 10 days. Reasons include image review time, data matching procedures, and SMS service delays—it slows further during peak periods or system maintenance. If you're anxious to know, don't just wait for the SMS; checking via the Traffic 12123 app or local traffic management websites is more reliable. Handle the fine within 15 days of receipt to avoid late fees, and don’t let points affect insurance or vehicle inspections. Ultimately, obeying traffic signals is fundamental—safe driving saves hassle and keeps you worry-free.
