On the last day of the driver's license, which year does the deduction count towards?
2 Answers
It counts towards the previous year. According to regulations, the cumulative demerit point cycle (i.e., the scoring cycle) for road traffic safety violations is 12 months, with a full score of 12 points, calculated from the date the motor vehicle driver's license is first obtained. In other words, the calculation method for a scoring cycle is "month to month". For example, if the driver's license is obtained on March 1st, then until March 1st of the following year is one demerit point cycle, and the next demerit point cycle starts from March 1st of the following year. Legal basis: Article 65 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" states that the cumulative demerit point cycle for road traffic safety violations (i.e., the scoring cycle) is 12 months, with a full score of 12 points, calculated from the date the motor vehicle driver's license is first obtained. Based on the severity of road traffic safety violations, the points for a single violation are divided into five types: 12 points, 6 points, 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point.
I've been driving a private car for almost twenty years and have encountered many issues related to driver's licenses. If you deduct points on the very last day of your license, those points still count towards the current scoring cycle. Traffic rules are based on the time of the violation—the system only looks at the date of the infraction, not whether it was before or after the license expired. For example, my license was issued on October 15th, so each cycle runs from October 15th to October 14th of the following year. Any violations on the last day will still be counted in that cycle. Many people think that once the validity period ends, they're in the clear, which can lead to complacency. However, if the points max out, the consequences can be more severe, such as having to retake exams or facing doubled fines. Safe driving is the golden rule. Make it a habit to regularly check your cycle dates and minimize violations—that’s the real solution. Don’t wait until the last minute to worry about it.
