How many points are deducted for making a right turn from a straight lane at a traffic light?
3 Answers
Making a right turn from a straight lane at a traffic light intersection is considered driving in a lane not as prescribed by law, which incurs a fine and a deduction of 3 points. Penalties for driving in a lane not as prescribed by law: Driving on a highway in a lane not as prescribed by law, penalty standard: 3 points deducted and a fine imposed. Driving on an urban expressway in a lane not as prescribed by law. Penalty standard: 3 points deducted and a fine imposed. Driving on roads other than highways or urban expressways in a lane not as prescribed by law, penalty standard: no points deducted, but a fine imposed. Steps for handling point deductions: The vehicle owner must bring their ID card, driver's license, and vehicle registration certificate to the traffic violation processing office for point deduction processing; then, take the penalty decision notice to the designated bank to pay the fine (once the penalty decision notice is printed, the fine must be paid within 15 days. After 15 days, a 3% late fee will be charged daily, with the total late fee not exceeding the total fine amount). After paying the fine, keep the receipt. Check the violation information online a few days later.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and one time when I was in a hurry, I saw a red light at the straight lane but the right-turn arrow was still on, so I turned right directly. As a result, I was caught by the camera, got 6 points deducted, and was fined 200 yuan. After that incident, I learned my lesson: the straight lane is specifically designed for going straight, and if you want to turn right, you must enter the right-turn lane, otherwise it’s a violation. Experienced drivers say this kind of maneuver is particularly dangerous, especially at intersections, as it can block other lanes and lead to rear-end collisions or hitting pedestrians. When practicing driving, you should pay more attention to lane markings and not cut corners for convenience. If you encounter unclear situations, stop the car first and observe to avoid fines and accidents. When driving, safety comes first—losing points is a small matter, but causing an accident is something you’ll regret. Now, I always choose the correct lane in advance and wait patiently for the green light.
Having driven for over a decade, I think even experienced drivers can easily get confused about things like making a right turn from a straight lane at a red light. The root cause is usually rushing or being distracted and misreading the signal. In traffic rules, this is called 'failing to follow the designated lane.' If you force a right turn at a red light, it might even be considered running a red light. Generally, the penalty is around 200 yuan and 6 demerit points. While the points may seem minor, accumulating them can affect your driver's license. More importantly, this behavior is very dangerous: straight-moving vehicles might collide with you, or pedestrians could suddenly cross the street. I’ve seen many accidents like this on the road, ranging from minor scratches to serious injuries. I recommend developing good driving habits, like changing lanes early before intersections and obeying traffic signals. Safety is everyone’s responsibility—don’t risk it for a few minutes. The demerit system is there to remind us, so we drivers should be more conscientious.
