How many days does it take to receive a traffic violation notification for running a red light?
3 Answers
After running a red light, the illegal photo notification SMS 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 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 can 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 forwarded to the relevant traffic police department staff for verification. Only after the violation is confirmed will the system automatically query the vehicle owner's phone number based on the license plate information and send the violation details via SMS to the owner. After receiving the violation SMS, the vehicle owner must go to the traffic police department at the location of the violation within one month before the annual vehicle 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 beyond 15 days, it is likely that no violation was recorded. Traffic violation query methods: Traffic violation query refers to checking motor vehicle violations of traffic management through online platforms or query terminals. Methods for querying traffic violations include vehicle violation websites, phone queries, SMS queries, and mobile apps. Website query: You can search for "vehicle violation query" and enter your vehicle information to check. Phone query: You can call local 114 (area code + 114) or 12580 to confirm traffic violations. Violations can only be processed at the traffic police department where the violation occurred or where the vehicle's license plate was issued. For on-the-spot violations, such as those directly caught by a traffic officer, they must be handled at the location of the violation. 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 find any unprocessed violations to clear them.
Having driven for over a decade, I have considerable experience with red-light violation handling. Generally, after being caught by traffic cameras, you'll receive a violation SMS notification within 1 to 7 days. The exact timing depends on the region and system workload: for instance, processing centers in big cities are more efficient, often delivering notices in 1-3 days, while smaller towns may take up to a week. Personally, I once received a notice in three days, but a friend in the suburbs waited five. Don’t forget to check your phone’s spam folder—sometimes messages end up there. If there’s no update, wait five days and check the 12123 app for records instead of worrying unnecessarily. Safe driving is key—red lights are dangerous, and penalties include fines and points, so slowing down reduces violations. Processing may delay during peak periods like holidays, so stay vigilant and regularly check app updates.
As an ordinary car owner, I've also felt anxious when running a red light. Violation notifications usually arrive via SMS within 1 to 5 business days, depending on road conditions and camera systems. In urban areas with fast capture systems, you might receive it the next day; in remote sections where processing centers are slower, it could take up to a week. I personally use the 12123 APP linked to my vehicle, which typically provides faster push notifications than SMS. I recommend downloading the APP and setting up alerts to check violation records in real time. If no message arrives, don't relax—it might be due to lost SMS or data delays. Check the APP to confirm after a week. Handle violations promptly to avoid affecting annual inspections or incurring late fees. Safety comes first—running red lights carries significant risks, so drive carefully next time to avoid trouble. The APP also allows you to check and pay fines, which is super convenient.
