What are the penalties for driving with the trunk open?

[Matthew]

Driving with the trunk open violates the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law." If the doors or compartments are not properly closed while driving, a fine may be imposed. However, electronic police cameras will not capture this violation. If traffic police notice and stop the vehicle, a ticket will be issued. Several scenarios of driving with the trunk open: 1. Forgetting to close or unable to close: If discovered by police, the driver may receive a warning or fine but no points deduction. 2. Carrying passengers in the trunk: Some medium and large SUVs have trunk space that can easily accommodate two or three people, leading to situations where the trunk is used when seats are insufficient. Aside from safety concerns, if caught by traffic police, this not only results in a fine but also points deduction.

[JonathanMarie]

Last time my neighbor drove to the supermarket, the trunk popped open by itself halfway and he didn't even notice. As a result, he was pulled over by a traffic cop at the intersection and given a ticket—mainly a 200-yuan fine plus a verbal warning. This kind of thing really can't be taken lightly—an open trunk is like a giant cape that can block the rear windshield at any moment, making it even harder for drivers behind to see your turn signals when you're making a turn. What's worse, if you hit a bumpy road, the crate of bottled water inside could fly out and hit the car behind you. So now, every time I start driving, I make it a habit to glance at the rearview mirror to confirm that the little red light on the trunk latch is on—only then do I feel at ease.

[DelRebecca]

As a truck driver, I've seen too many cases of improperly closed cargo doors. Traffic police mainly handle such situations based on two criteria: if the door suddenly pops open while driving, they might just issue a warning; but if it's intentionally left open to transport large furniture without proper securing, it constitutes a violation of loading regulations, resulting in a 200-yuan fine and potentially making you fully liable if it causes a rear-end collision. Once on a rainy day, I saw a driver drying wet blankets with his trunk open – one sudden brake sent a blanket flying onto a bus windshield, nearly causing a major accident. Bottom line: this practice is both dangerous and illegal, absolutely not worth the risk.

[LaAnnie]

Over the years of conducting car reviews, I've noticed that many new features actually make people overlook basic safety. Most vehicles now come with an audible warning for an open trunk, but some people find it annoying and simply disable the alarm. During a recent test drive, I intentionally left the trunk open while driving on an expressway—not only did the vehicle's drag coefficient skyrocket, but the dashboard also showed an instant 1.5-point jump in fuel consumption. Legally, this constitutes unsafe driving behavior; in Shenzhen, there was even a case where someone was fined 150 yuan for transporting plants with an open trunk. A more hidden risk is rainwater backflow damaging the rear light circuits, and repairs for that would cost far more than any fine.

[MacElliot]

When traffic police handle such violations, they mainly consider two points: whether it obstructs other vehicles and poses actual danger. For ordinary sedans driving with the trunk open, they are typically fined 50-100 yuan under a simplified procedure in urban areas. In our jurisdiction, there was a case where parents deliberately drove with the trunk open to pick up their children, resulting in a child climbing into the trunk and falling out. In fact, there's a simple self-check method: after starting the car, observe the dashboard—most vehicles have a trunk indicator light. I remember an old Ford Focus once had its trunk suddenly open while driving due to a worn-out latch, even knocking over a bicycle stand by the roadside.

[AlanaLynn]

It's common to see accident vehicles in repair shops caused by driving on highways with the trunk open. The most extreme case was an SUV owner who went to the airport to pick someone up. While driving on the ramp with the trunk open, the vehicle hit a height-restriction barrier, completely tearing off the entire roof. According to traffic laws, this constitutes a driving safety hazard, and the penalty is typically a combination of demerit points and fines. In fact, many people are unaware that with modern smart keys: if the open button is accidentally pressed while driving, certain car models will automatically reduce speed and turn on hazard lights. A customer once avoided a fine because of this feature, but the fundamental solution is to develop the habit of opening the trunk only after parking.