How Many Days Will It Take to Receive a Text Message Reminder for Running a Red Light?
3 Answers
After running a red light, the text message notification for the violation is usually received within 3 to 7 days, with a maximum delay of around 13 days. However, some cities now offer "instant electronic police capture alerts," where the text message notification is received within 5-10 minutes of being captured. Note that this notification does not confirm the violation; it merely serves as a capture alert. The final determination of whether it is a violation takes 3-7 days. If it is indeed a violation, a follow-up text message will be sent. For traffic violations captured by surveillance cameras, vehicle owners generally do not receive the violation text message immediately. There is a delay, and the duration may vary. After the electronic camera captures the violation, the relevant violation information must be transmitted through a dedicated channel to the traffic police management center, where it is compiled and then verified by the relevant traffic police personnel. 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 text message to the owner. After receiving the violation text message, the vehicle owner must visit the local traffic police department to handle the violation within one month before the annual vehicle inspection. Generally, if a vehicle owner suspects a violation, they can use 15 days as a benchmark. If no violation text message 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 regulations through online platforms or query terminals. There are five methods for vehicle violation queries: traffic branch terminal queries, vehicle violation website queries, phone queries, mobile text message queries, and mobile app queries. Website Query: Search for "vehicle violation query" and enter the vehicle information to check. Phone Query: Dial the local 114 (area code + 114) or 12580 to confirm traffic violations. Violations can only be processed at the location of the violation or the vehicle's license plate issuance office. For on-the-spot violations, such as those directly caught by traffic police, they must be handled at the violation location. Mobile Text Message Query: Open the text message interface on your phone, enter "WZ [license plate number] [license plate color]" in the message content, and send it to 1062650001. Mobile App Query: Open the Traffic Management 12123 app, select "Violation Query," and clear any unresolved violations.
I've been driving for over 20 years and seen many fellow drivers anxiously waiting for text notifications after running red lights. Generally, it takes about 3 to 5 days to receive the notice, depending on how quickly the traffic cameras process the images. In urban areas, it might be even faster, but during holidays or heavy traffic periods, it could take up to a week. I recommend checking the local traffic police website directly or installing a traffic app to view violation records in real time for more certainty. Once you receive the text, don't delay—handle the fine promptly to avoid accumulating more penalty points, which could affect your next vehicle inspection. With today's advanced technology, violation alerts are quite timely, but it's always best to drive safely and prioritize road safety.
I just bought a new car last year and researched this on forums. Nowadays, after running a red light is caught on camera, the SMS notification arrives quite quickly, usually within one or two weeks. But the actual time depends on the road section and equipment—urban areas may take three to five days, while suburbs are slightly slower. A friend of mine ran a red light recently and got an app push notification the next day, even faster than SMS. I recommend installing the official traffic app and linking your license plate number to track violations in real time, so you don’t miss any alerts. Also, remember to check your vehicle status regularly—if the SMS system is delayed, you can still spot potential issues early.
