What does violation code 5038 mean?
2 Answers
Violation code 5038 means: Failing to display the enlarged license plate number as required. According to the relevant regulations of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", the penalty is: Demerit points (deduction): 0 points; Fine amount: 100 yuan; Other penalties: None. Traffic violation codes consist of four to five digits, classified according to the principles of the traffic law. The order from left to right is: the first digit represents the behavior classification code, the second digit represents the demerit points classification code, the third and fourth digits are sequential numbers, and the fifth digit indicates the specific item number. First digit: Behavior classification code, indicating the category of the violation in the Road Traffic Law; Second digit: Demerit points classification code, indicating the category of demerit points for the traffic violation; Third, fourth, and fifth digits: Sequential code, indicating the order of the violation within the same behavior category. For example: 13035—"1" indicates a motor vehicle violation, the second digit "3" indicates 3 demerit points, and "035" indicates the fifth item under the third category of 3-point violations. Behavior classification code explanation: Codes starting with "1" indicate motor vehicle violations, e.g., 1003. Codes starting with "2" indicate non-motor vehicle violations, e.g., 2002. Codes starting with "3" indicate pedestrian or passenger violations, e.g., 3030. Codes starting with "4" indicate highway violations, e.g., 4002. Codes starting with "5" indicate other regulations, e.g., 5005. Codes starting with "7" indicate provincial, autonomous region, or municipal implementation rules, e.g., 7008. Codes starting with "8" indicate local regulations of cities (prefectures, autonomous prefectures, or leagues), e.g., 8606. There are four common ways to check motor vehicle violations: Visit the office halls of traffic branches in various districts and counties to query through touch terminals; Log in to the external service website of the local Public Security Bureau's Traffic Management Bureau, find the vehicle violation query section, enter the license plate number and engine number, and click to query; Call the hotline (area code + 114) to inquire; Use the Traffic Management 12123 app (V2.8.1B437 for iOS 15+ or V2.8.1B274 for Android 12+) to query. For violations involving failing to display the enlarged license plate number as required, you can handle them through the Traffic Management app. After logging in, enter the violation processing section, complete the process, and make the payment.
As a car owner who has long studied traffic regulations, I understand that violation code 5038 refers to a vehicle carrying cargo exceeding the approved load capacity—simply put, the vehicle is overloaded. The approved load capacity is specified in the vehicle's registration certificate and represents the maximum safe weight the vehicle is designed to carry when manufactured. Overloading directly threatens driving safety: braking distance significantly increases, steering response slows down, and the risk of losing control or rolling over rises. I’ve seen many accidents caused by this, ranging from minor penalties like a 200-yuan fine and 3 demerit points to severe cases of vehicle destruction and fatalities. I recommend weighing the cargo before loading to ensure it stays within limits. Additionally, overloading accelerates tire wear and suspension damage, so regular maintenance and vehicle inspections can help reduce risks. Safe driving is more important than anything else.
