Is the Driver's License Clearing Time at 0:00 or 24:00?
2 Answers
The driver's license clearing time is at 0:00 on the expiration date. For example, if the initial issuance date is August 1, 2018, the point-clearing date will be at 0:00 on August 1, 2019. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the demerit point cycle for a driver's license is 12 months. If a motor vehicle driver accumulates fewer than 12 points within one demerit point cycle, has paid all fines, and resolved all violations, the points will be cleared, and the next cycle will start with 12 points again. Otherwise, the points will carry over to the next cycle. For instance, if a driver was deducted 6 points in the previous cycle but failed to resolve the violations or pay the fines by the deadline, the deductible points in the next cycle will only be 6. If a driver accumulates 12 points within one demerit point cycle, a Class C driver's license will be temporarily suspended by the traffic management authorities. The driver must attend traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge training and pass an exam within 15 days at a designated location. Passing the exam will clear the points and restore the license; otherwise, the driver must continue training and retake the exam. For Class A and B licenses, the driver will face a downgrade penalty. The vehicle management office will revoke the highest permitted driving model, and the driver must complete the downgrade and license renewal process within 30 days.
When it comes to the license points reset date, I’ve accumulated plenty of experience from years of driving. Generally speaking, the reset date refers to the moment when accumulated points are cleared at the end of a scoring cycle, typically starting at the exact time of the date change—that is, 00:00 midnight. Many people mistakenly believe that 24:00 is midnight, but in reality, 24:00 is just a way of representing time, equivalent to 00:00, marking the end of one day and the start of the next. For example, if your scoring cycle ends on December 31, 2024, the reset time will take effect at 00:00 on January 1, 2025, when the system will automatically reset your points, allowing you to start recording violations from zero again. I recommend checking the Traffic Management 12123 app immediately after the date to confirm whether your points status has been updated. Maintaining safe driving habits can help you avoid accumulating points, which could affect future license renewals. Also, remember not to drive too late around this time to prevent accidental violations.
