Is the driving license now 18 points?
3 Answers
The driving license is not now 18 points. Although after the implementation of the new regulations, penalty points for violations can be reduced, this reduction does not equate to an increase in points. The total points available on a driving license remain at 12. Many people add the 6 points that can be reduced to the original 12 points on the driving license, leading to the misconception of 18 points, but this is not actually the case. Here are some precautions for using a driving license: 1. Driving licenses have a validity period: Driving licenses are only valid for a certain period, and driving is only legal if the license is within its validity period. If the driving license expires and the holder fails to renew it, driving is considered illegal. 2. Avoid accumulating 12 penalty points within 12 months: A driving license has 12 points available for deduction within a 12-month period. It is essential to avoid accumulating all 12 points within this timeframe. Otherwise, the license holder will need to attend a course at the local vehicle management office and pass an exam. If the exam is not passed, the holder must continue to retake it until passing, after which the driving license can be reclaimed.
Where did the 18-point driver's license come from? Mine has always been 12 points. I've heard some people spreading this rumor, but when you actually check the traffic regulations, the total score within a scoring cycle is indeed 12 points. However, there is now a policy called 'score reduction through learning,' where you can reduce up to 6 points of penalty deductions by studying and taking exams. Many people mistakenly think this brings the total to 18 points. In reality, those 6 points are an additional reduction allowance—the base score remains 12. After driving for so many years, I dare not misuse my points; running a red light once costs 6 points. So, everyone should drive carefully and not obsess over points—safe driving is what truly matters.
I remember the driver's license points are capped at 12 per scoring cycle. The 18 points mentioned online might be a misunderstanding of the 'study-to-reduce-points' policy. This policy does allow you to offset some demerit points by passing exams, with a maximum reduction of 6 points. But this is just a deduction method, not an extension beyond 12 points. I've personally used this study-based point reduction—it's quite convenient and can be done on the Traffic Management 12123 app. However, I'd caution new drivers: don't assume 18 points means you can violate traffic rules recklessly. If you exhaust your 12 points, you'll still have to retake the Theory Test (Subject 1).
