Is it allowed to reverse when driving in the wrong lane?
3 Answers
No, it will result in a deduction of 3 points. Reversing constitutes a violation of the prohibition signs by motor vehicles, and the penalty is a 3-point deduction from the driver's license and a fine. The following are the relevant laws and regulations: The "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates: Article 90: If a motor vehicle driver commits any of the following illegal acts, 3 points shall be deducted at one time: If a motor vehicle driver violates the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic regulations, they shall be given a warning or fined. If there are other provisions in this law, the punishment shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions. If a motor vehicle driver commits any of the following illegal acts, 3 points shall be deducted at one time: 1. Violating traffic signal lights; 2. Driving on a highway below the minimum speed limit; 3. Driving a motor vehicle on the road without displaying the vehicle license plate; 4. Intentionally covering, damaging, or not installing the vehicle license plate as required; 5. Driving in the opposite direction.
When I had just started driving a few months ago, I accidentally entered a bus-only lane at an intersection in the city. In a panic, I wanted to reverse back, but the cars ahead were honking like crazy. Luckily, my friend in the car shouted at me to stop. That experience taught me a profound lesson—reversing in a lane is extremely dangerous, especially if the car behind doesn’t notice. A rear-end collision could range from minor scratches to serious injuries or even fatalities. Traffic rules strictly prohibit reversing in non-parking zones, and getting caught can result in fines or even points deducted from your license. Now, if I take a wrong turn, I calmly drive forward and find a gas station or a wide roadside area to make a safe U-turn. Safety always comes first—never take risks just to save time.
I've been driving for over a decade and made similar mistakes when I was younger. Once I accidentally entered an ETC lane at a highway exit and panicked, wanting to reverse and change lanes. But experience told me that wasn't an option - reversing would instantly disrupt traffic flow and increase accident risks, especially on highways where it could trigger chain collisions. Now I always advise new drivers: if you take a wrong turn, don't panic. Just keep going and let the navigation recalculate. That's always better than reversing. Reversing is only suitable in parking lots or open spaces - doing it on roads is literally playing with your life, not to mention illegal, and the fines aren't cheap.
