What are the new regulations for resetting demerit points on a driver's license?
2 Answers
The new regulations for resetting demerit points on a driver's license are as follows: If a motor vehicle driver accumulates fewer than 12 demerit points within a scoring cycle and has paid all fines, the demerit points will be cleared. If the driver has fewer than 12 demerit points but has unpaid fines, the demerit points will carry over to the next scoring cycle. According to Article 65 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the cumulative scoring cycle for road traffic violations (i.e., the scoring cycle) is 12 months, with a maximum of 12 points, calculated from the date the driver's license was first issued. Based on the severity of the road traffic violation, the points deducted for a single violation can be: 12 points, 6 points, 3 points, 2 points, or 1 point. In addition to having the driver's license withheld, attending training, and taking exams as stipulated in Article 23, the driver must also undergo a driving skills test. If the test is passed, the demerit points will be cleared, and the driver's license will be returned. If the test is failed, the driver must continue training and retake the exam. The driving skills test will be conducted according to the highest vehicle class permitted on the driver's license. Important notes about demerit points on a driver's license: If a driver accumulates fewer than 12 demerit points within a scoring cycle (12 months from the "initial issuance date" of the license), they only need to pay the fines, and no further action is required. At the start of the next scoring cycle, the vehicle management system will automatically reset the points from the previous cycle. If a driver accumulates 12 or more demerit points within a scoring cycle, they must attend training and pass the subject one exam at the issuing vehicle management office or the office where the violation occurred before the full-point record can be cleared and the driver's license restored to normal use.
I've been driving for 20 years, and the process of resetting demerit points on a driver's license is quite straightforward. The new regulations still follow the old principle: a 12-month scoring cycle, with points resetting at the end of each cycle. It starts from the day you obtain your license and ends on the same date 12 months later. If you haven't accumulated 12 points during this period, they will automatically reset; if you reach 12 points, you'll need to take a theoretical exam. The new changes include reduced penalties for certain violations, such as using a phone while driving, which previously incurred 3 points but now only 1, and not wearing a seatbelt may now only cost 1 point. I recommend using the Traffic Management 12123 app to check your points regularly, so you know how many you have left and don't regret it only after reaching the limit. Safety is paramount—avoid running red lights or speeding, and keeping your points low will make the reset process smooth. Additionally, after the reset, your insurance premium might be adjusted, a detail veteran drivers are well aware of.
