What are the consequences of receiving penalty points in the first year after obtaining a driver's license?
4 Answers
1. For Class C driver's licenses: During the probationary period, you can receive up to 11 penalty points. If you receive 11 points or fewer during this period, it will not affect your license. You simply need to pay the fine and accept the penalty points at the traffic police department. The points will be cleared at the end of the scoring cycle, allowing you to successfully complete the probationary period. However, if you receive more than 12 points during the probationary period, your license will be automatically revoked, and you will need to reapply for a driver's license. 2. For Class A and B driver's licenses: During the probationary period, you have 12 points. If you receive fewer than 6 penalty points during this period, it will not affect your license. If you receive between 6 and 12 points, your probationary period will be extended by one year. If you receive the full 12 points, your driving privileges for the vehicle class under probation will be revoked. If the revoked license is not the highest class you hold, your license will also be downgraded.
When I first got my driver's license, I was particularly afraid of getting penalty points. Later, I learned that there are specific rules about penalty points during the probationary period. For a C1 car license, as long as you don’t accumulate 12 points, you’re fine—it automatically converts to a full license upon expiration. But if you’re unlucky enough to rack up 12 points, your license gets revoked, and you have to retake the test! Just thinking about it makes me cringe. A friend of mine got 6 points for running a yellow light, then got caught driving the wrong way on a one-way street and had to go back to driving school. Also, during the probationary period, you need a licensed driver with over three years of experience to accompany you on highways—violating this rule also results in penalty points. I recommend reviewing traffic rules on a driving app before hitting the road, especially focusing on offenses like running red lights and speeding, which deduct 6 points at once. If new drivers accumulate too many violations in their first year, I’ve heard their insurance premiums can spike even more the following year.
Truck drivers dread getting demerit points during their probation period the most. When I was driving a semi-trailer during my probation, my boss specifically warned me: if you get between 6 to 12 points, your probation gets extended by a year. And if you rack up another 6+ points during the extension, boom—your license gets revoked! Once, I was overloaded by 3 tons for an urgent delivery and got 6 points. For the next ten months, I had to avoid all traffic police checkpoints when taking jobs. If my license got canceled, I’d have to retake all four driving tests, losing two to three months’ income. That’s why I always keep a power bank in the truck to keep the dashcam running—it’s evidence if disputes arise. Honestly, small violations like crossing solid lines add up faster than major offenses. In our line of work, points mean money.
Getting penalty points in the first year of driving can really affect your mindset. Once I reversed into a fire hydrant and got 3 points deducted, which made me brake 100 meters early at red lights for the next two weeks. Although nothing happens if you don't exceed 12 points on a car license, the fewer points you have, the safer you feel. Common pitfalls for beginners include accidentally running red lights behind large vehicles or stopping in yellow grid zones—these are one-time deductions of 3-6 points. It's recommended to install a radar detector for assistance and avoid going out during rainy or slippery conditions. Handle any point deductions promptly via the 12123 app, as waiting until month-end increases the chance of forgetting. Actually, while deducted points can be replenished, getting into accidents and paying for repairs is worse, and your insurance discount might drop to 70%.
