What is the difference between demerit points and penalty points on a driver's license?
3 Answers
Driver's licenses only have demerit points, not penalty points. Violation demerit points are recorded sequentially from 1 to 12, with 12 being the maximum. More details are as follows: 1. Probationary period: For C1 and lower-class licenses, as long as demerit points remain below 12 and fines are paid promptly, the probationary period can generally be completed safely. For A or B-class licenses, demerit points must be kept below 6 (not including 6). If points exceed 6 but remain below 12, fines must be paid immediately, and the probationary period will last one year. If points exceed 6 but remain below 12 again, the highest permitted driving class will be revoked. If 12 points are accumulated at once, the probationary driving qualification will be revoked regardless of license type. If the probationary qualification is not for the highest permitted class, the highest permitted class will also be revoked. 2. Revocation of driving qualification: If a driver accumulates 12 points during the probationary period, the probationary driving qualification for the permitted class will be revoked. If the revoked qualification is not for the highest permitted class, the highest permitted class will also be revoked as per Article 68, Paragraph 1. Drivers holding licenses for large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, or large trucks who accumulate 6 or more but fewer than 12 points during the one-year probationary period will have the probationary period extended by one year. If they accumulate 6 or more but fewer than 12 points again during the extended probationary period, their probationary driving qualification for the permitted class will be revoked.
Having driven for over a decade, I can tell you that the difference between demerit points and point deductions on a driver's license is as simple as bookkeeping. Demerit points represent the total accumulated score on your license, with a maximum of 12 points, reflecting your driving credit—normally at zero when all is well. Point deductions, on the other hand, are the actions that reduce your score due to specific incidents, such as being caught speeding by a camera or pulled over by traffic police. A single violation might cost you 3 or 6 points, increasing your demerit points accordingly. Hitting the 12-point limit is no small matter—you’ll need to attend traffic school to study regulations and pass an exam, or risk having your license revoked and losing the ability to drive altogether. Driving carefully and following the rules keeps your points steady. New drivers should study road rules and review case studies to avoid hazards—it’s both safer and more cost-effective.
As a new driver who just got my license, I recently studied this matter. Demerit points are like a credit bar on your license, starting with a full 12 points - your safe driving quota. Deduction refers to the action of losing points for each violation, e.g., getting caught using phone while driving deducts 2 points, increasing your demerit points to 10. Accumulating 12 points means immediate license suspension - you must attend training and retake tests, otherwise you can forget about driving for life. Deductions are triggering events, while demerit points are cumulative results - they're related but fundamentally different. Paying attention to traffic app violation alerts can help prevent issues, and developing good habits keeps your points from skyrocketing.
