What are the penalties for driving the wrong way on a one-way road?

[OBrody]

Driving the wrong way on a one-way road in urban areas (including one-way roads) will result in a fine and a deduction of 3 points; driving the wrong way on a one-way road on highways (including ramps and toll booth exits) will result in a fine, a deduction of 12 points, and may also lead to the suspension of the driver's license for twelve months. A one-way road refers to a road where motor vehicles can only travel in one direction, and there may be multiple lanes. Driving the wrong way refers to traveling in the opposite direction of the designated road. Driving the wrong way on a one-way road can easily cause traffic accidents and is strictly prohibited by law. One-way roads have clearly marked prohibited sections, and not all one-way roads continue indefinitely. Generally, traffic police departments will designate one-way roads in areas such as hospitals, schools, and government offices. It is essential to pay close attention, as prohibited sections usually have clear signage, so check ahead of time.

[HazelMarie]

I learned this lesson the hard way last year when I turned into a one-way street without noticing the signs. I was caught on camera just 50 meters in. The traffic police informed me that such wrong-way driving violations incur a 3-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine, which is now the standard nationwide. They even showed me the surveillance screenshot on the spot – my car was the only one going against traffic, standing out glaringly. I later found out that if this had caused an accident, the penalties would have been harsher, with full liability, and the insurance company might even refuse to cover repair costs. My advice: always pay attention to road signs, especially in older urban areas with many one-way streets. Sometimes GPS can mislead you too. When in unfamiliar areas, it’s better to take a couple of extra minutes to detour than to risk a ticket.

[StAurora]

Honestly, seeing those cars going the wrong way on one-way streets really gives me chills. Last week, I witnessed a white SUV reversing to escape on a time-limited one-way road, only to be surrounded by honking from three directions. This kind of violation typically results in a fixed 3-point deduction on the driver's license, while the fine varies by location—in places like Shenzhen, it can be as high as 500 yuan. More importantly, it endangers public safety, especially on school routes or narrow alleys where oncoming vehicles have no way to avoid a collision. I know an experienced driver who hit an electric scooter because of this, not only paying 60,000 yuan in medical compensation but also having his license suspended for three months.

[SanLydia]

One-way street violations are strictly monitored, with electronic eyes capturing every detail clearly. My colleague was caught last month, and the traffic management app 12123 directly pushed a violation notice: 3 points deducted and a 200 yuan fine. When handling it, the police reminded that such violation records are tied to the license plate, affecting the annual inspection pass rate. For commercial vehicles, it could also impact the operational qualification review. Nowadays, new cameras on the road can even detect if the passenger isn't wearing a seatbelt, let alone something as obvious as driving the wrong way.