
During the Subject 3 driving test, if a student runs a red light, no points are deducted, but they will fail the test. This is because students are beginners without a driver's license, so points cannot be deducted. More information about running red lights is as follows: 1. Running a red light is a violation of traffic signal rules. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Violation Scoring Regulations": "Driving a motor vehicle in violation of traffic signal rules results in a 6-point penalty" and a fine of 200 yuan. 2. Before being identified as running a red light, three photos must be taken: a photo of the vehicle at the stop line under a red light, a photo of the vehicle crossing the stop line under a red light, and a photo of the vehicle continuing to drive past the stop line under a red light. 3. If the vehicle's front wheels have just crossed the stop line at a red light but stop immediately, the traffic police will not impose a penalty. However, if the vehicle completely crosses the stop line before stopping during the red light, it is considered a violation and will be penalized.

When I was practicing for the driving test (Subject 3) at the driving school, I was particularly afraid of encountering red lights. The instructor repeatedly emphasized the scoring criteria before the exam: simulating real-life driving by running a red light would result in an immediate 100-point deduction, leading to an instant failure of the test. This is actually different from the real-world penalty of deducting 6 points for running a red light. The test requirements are stricter because running a red light is extremely dangerous—not only could you hit pedestrians, but you also wouldn’t be able to avoid vehicles suddenly emerging from the cross traffic. I remember the day before my test, a fellow trainee had the examiner hit the brakes because they tried to rush through as the yellow light turned red. The safety officer explained that the electronic testing system would automatically judge it as a violation if the car’s front crossed the line the moment the light turned red. So now, when I train students, I always have them prepare to brake 50 meters before reaching an intersection.

I followed my friend throughout his driving test (Subject 3) and witnessed a candidate in the next car fail for running a red light. The examiner explained the test system's evaluation logic: the traffic light must be green when the vehicle's front crosses the stop line, otherwise the electronic proctor directly deducts 100 points. This is even stricter than real-world driving, where traffic police consider factors like intent and traffic impact when enforcing rules. Actually, such strict test settings aim to prevent trainees from developing bad habits, as beginners often confuse turn signals with straight-through signals at intersections. My advice during practice is to stop one extra time rather than rush through—one of my students learned this the hard way by accelerating at a yellow light that turned red.

Yesterday, while running the exam route with students, I reminded them: among all traffic light violations in Subject 3, running a red light is the most severe. During the test, as long as the wheels cross the stop line when the light is red, the exam system immediately deducts all 100 points and ends the test, without even the opportunity to pull over. This rule is uniformly applied nationwide, unlike the varying fines in real-life scenarios across different regions. Actually, this setting is quite reasonable, especially since beginners have weaker judgment. I've observed the exam site's surveillance footage, and nine out of ten students who run red lights fail to slow down in advance, realizing too late to stop before the line. That's why I now teach students to reduce speed to below 30 km/h when they are three utility poles away from the intersection.


