How Many Days Does It Take to Receive a Notification After Running a Red Light?
2 Answers
After running a red light, the notification message for the violation captured by traffic cameras is usually received within 3 to 7 days, with the latest being around 13 days. However, some cities have now introduced "instant electronic police capture alerts," where you can receive a text notification within 5 to 10 minutes of being captured. However, this notification does not equate to a confirmed violation; it merely serves as a capture alert. The final determination of whether it is a violation still takes 3 to 7 days. If it is indeed 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 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, where it is compiled and then verified by the relevant staff. Once confirmed as a violation, the system automatically retrieves the vehicle owner's phone number based on the license plate information and sends the violation details via SMS. After receiving the violation SMS, the vehicle owner must go to the traffic police department where the violation occurred within one month before the vehicle's annual inspection to handle the matter. Generally, if a vehicle owner suspects they have committed 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. Methods for Traffic Violation Queries: Traffic violation queries refer to checking motor vehicle violations of traffic management rules through online platforms or query terminals. Methods for traffic violation queries include website queries, phone queries, SMS queries, and mobile app queries. Website Query: You can search for "vehicle violation query" and enter your vehicle information to check. Phone Query: You can call the local 114 (area code + 114) or 12580 to confirm traffic violations. Violations can only be processed at the location where they occurred or where the vehicle's license plate was issued. 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 interface; enter "WZ [license plate number] [license 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 outstanding violations.
That time I accidentally ran a red light while distracted driving, and I was curious about when the notification would arrive. From my years of driving experience, the notification usually comes within 7 to 14 days, mainly depending on the processing workflow after the camera captures the violation. Once the image is captured, the system automatically identifies the license plate and the action, but it still requires manual review and confirmation before sending out a paper ticket or electronic notification. Larger cities tend to be more efficient—for example, Shanghai might process it within a week. In suburban areas or during holidays with higher volumes, it may take longer, up to around 15 days. I suggest not just waiting passively; proactively check the status on the traffic bureau’s app or monitor your email and SMS notifications to avoid missing deadlines and affecting your credit score. It’s good practice to pay attention to the countdown timer at red lights to avoid making similar mistakes. Driving safely is the top priority—small oversights like this can accumulate and harm both yourself and others.
