How to Check Vehicle Demerit Points?

[LauraFitz]

Driver's license demerit point inquiry refers to checking the penalty points incurred due to traffic violations of motor vehicles through SMS, phone calls, or online methods. There are five ways to check traffic violations: 1. Office Hall: Visit the office halls of traffic police branches in various districts and counties to inquire through touch-screen terminals; 2. Service Website: Log in to the public service websites of the local Public Security Bureau's Traffic Management Bureau, locate the inquiry section, enter the license plate number and vehicle engine number, and click to inquire; 3. Call the inquiry hotline; 4. Send an SMS to inquire about violations; 5. Use traffic violation inquiry tools by entering license plate information.

[AylaLee]

Last time I checked for traffic violations, I simply installed the Traffic Management 12123 APP on my phone. After registering and completing real-name authentication by linking my license plate number, I could view everything. Just tap on the 'Violation Handling' section, and all unpaid fines with penalty points are clearly listed. Actually, WeChat and Alipay can also be used to check—just search for 'Owner Services' mini-programs, enter your license plate number and the last six digits of the engine number, and the details will pop up. However, the most accurate method is still the official 12123 channel, as other platforms sometimes have delayed data updates. If you can't manage it on your phone, you can always bring your vehicle registration certificate to the DMV service window, though waiting in line can be time-consuming. I recommend checking every quarter to avoid discovering during your annual inspection that you don’t have enough points left on your license.

[OVictoria]

Recently helped an elderly neighbor check his traffic violation points. His old-fashioned phone couldn't install apps. I took him to the traffic police station's self-service machine - swiping his ID card printed the violation record in just three minutes. Nowadays many bank ATM areas also have traffic management self-service terminals. Key points to remember: For online platforms, prepare your driver's license file number and last four digits of the VIN. SMS verification must be received by the owner's phone. Offline processing requires the vehicle owner to go in person with original ID card and vehicle license. Heard about illegal channels claiming to check for you - don't believe them, beware of information leaks. Actually, Wednesday afternoons are the least crowded at the DMV - going during off-peak hours saves time.

[VonAubrey]

To understand this, you need to consider two scenarios: checking someone else's vehicle requires using the 'Traffic Management 12123' app's scan-and-authorize function, while checking your own vehicle is much simpler. I usually open the 12123 app while waiting in line at the gas station, where the violation inquiry page displays unprocessed penalty points in red numbers. For those with older phone versions, you can log in to the local traffic police website, such as 'City Traffic Police Service Network', find the violation inquiry portal, and enter the required information. Be careful not to mistype the letter case of the engine number, and note that the VIN code is printed on the lower left corner of the windshield or on the vehicle registration certificate. If you receive a non-official SMS link, never click on it—scam links can look very convincing.

[DeEdward]

As a veteran driver with eight years of experience, the most dreaded message when checking points is 'system under maintenance'. For mobile users, I recommend directly calling 12123, press 9 for manual service, and provide your license plate number to inquire about point deductions. Phone inquiries require verification of the vehicle owner's ID number and registered mobile number—incorrect details will lead to refusal by customer service. Once, my car was borrowed by a friend and caught speeding, with the notification SMS sent directly to my phone. Clicking the link allowed me to view the violation photos and point deductions. A reminder: the processing window for out-of-town violations is short, requiring action within 15 days of detection. The 12123 APP now allows direct online payment of fines, but point deductions must be handled by the owner personally.