How many points are deducted for overtaking in the wrong direction?

[ChristianDella]

For those who drive in the wrong direction on highways, 12 points will be deducted, and a fine will be imposed; for those who drive in the wrong direction on other roads, 3 points will be deducted, and a fine will be imposed. Traffic Management Law: According to Article 25 of the "People's Republic of China Highway Traffic Management Regulations," if a motor vehicle driver violates these regulations and commits any of the following acts, a fine will be imposed, and the driver's license may be suspended for up to 12 months: driving a motor vehicle prohibited from entering the highway onto the highway; overtaking or changing lanes not in accordance with regulations; reversing, driving in the wrong direction, or making U-turns or turns by crossing the central divider on the highway; parking not in accordance with regulations. Usage Regulations: According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" (Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123), if a motor vehicle driver commits any of the following violations, 3 points will be deducted at one time: driving a motor vehicle to overtake, yield, or drive in the wrong direction not in accordance with regulations.

[Kieran]

Back when I was driving long distances, I witnessed many drivers taking the dangerous shortcut of overtaking by driving in the opposite lane, only to get caught by surveillance cameras. Normally, doing this on regular roads would result in a 3-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine if caught by traffic police. If you're unlucky enough to do it on a highway, it’s even more severe—a full 12-point deduction and having to retake the written test. The scariest part was last year when a young man in our county, rushing to a blind date, overtook by driving the wrong way on a provincial highway. Not only did he lose his license, but he also collided with an oncoming farm vehicle. So really, don’t be foolish—waiting a few extra minutes is far better than losing points or your license, and the consequences of an accident are even worse.

[LaCaden]

After driving for ten years, my deepest realization is to never risk overtaking by driving against traffic. On regular roads, if you do this, traffic cameras will catch you every time, resulting in at least a 3-point deduction and a fine. However, if you try this on the highway, you'll lose all 12 points without question. I remember once hearing truck drivers chatting at a rest stop—one of their peers was in a hurry and made a U-turn on a highway ramp, driving against traffic. Not only did they get penalized on the spot, but they were also detained for half a month due to reckless driving. In reality, when overtaking, it's much safer and more convenient to observe the rearview mirrors carefully and change lanes only when the road markings are dashed.

[BrandonLee]

Last week, my neighbor Lao Wang got caught in this exact situation. He was in a hurry to drop off his child at school and overtook by borrowing the opposite lane on a suburban road, only to be snapped by a mobile speed camera. The traffic police officer handling the case said that overtaking by driving against the traffic on regular roads uniformly results in a 3-point deduction and a fine. If this were done on a highway or urban expressway, the penalty would be even harsher, with a full 12-point deduction. That's why I'm extra cautious when overtaking now, making sure there are no oncoming vehicles within at least 500 meters before changing lanes. After all, getting home safely is far more important than saving those few minutes.

[StJack]

During driving tests, instructors repeatedly emphasize that overtaking by driving in the opposite lane is a high-risk maneuver. On regular roads, getting caught will definitely result in a 3-point deduction, while on highways, it's the maximum penalty of 12 points. However, in actual practice, it depends on the specific situation: if an accident is caused by driving in the opposite lane, besides point deductions and fines, the driver will also bear full responsibility for compensation. I once saw an even more outrageous case on a national highway where a driver overtook three cars in a row by driving in the opposite lane and ended up with a 9-point deduction. In short, remember the golden rule—always overtake in dashed line sections with clear visibility, and don't gamble with your own or others' safety.