How long is the probationary period for a driver's license?
2 Answers
The probationary period for a driver's license is one year. The following points should be noted during the probationary period of a driver's license: Display a probationary sign at the rear of the vehicle: This alerts other drivers to be cautious around your vehicle, as many novice drivers during the probationary period may exhibit sudden braking, failure to signal when turning, and other issues. Pay attention to the demerit point cycle during the probationary period: For Class C driver's licenses, accumulating 12 demerit points will result in automatic revocation of the license. For Class A and B licenses, accumulating 6 points will extend the probationary period by one year, while 12 points will lead to automatic revocation. If the revoked probationary license is not the highest class, the highest class of the driver's license will also be downgraded by one level.
I just got my driver's license recently, and the probation period is a full 12 months, starting from the day I received it. This period was the most intense learning phase for me, driving carefully every day, starting from small urban roads to get familiar with braking and steering. According to traffic regulations, I couldn't drive alone on highways during the probation period; I had to have an experienced driver with over 3 years of driving experience accompany me, so I often invited friends to go on trips together. I also had to display a probation sign on the car to alert other drivers. Points deduction is crucial—if I accumulated 12 points during the probation period, my license would be revoked, and I'd have to retake the written test and road test, like what happened to my neighbor, which was time-consuming and costly. After 12 months, I felt much more relaxed, but the safe driving habits had already been ingrained. I recommend practicing night driving or driving in the rain during the probation period to gain real-world experience, rather than rushing to challenge complex road conditions.
