What is the Driver's Law Study Score Reduction?
3 Answers
According to Article 5 of the Notice on the Issuance of the "Work Standards for Reducing Points of Road Traffic Safety Violations through Accepting Traffic Safety Education (Trial)" by the Ministry of Public Security on January 14, 2020 (Gong Jiao Guan [2020] No. 14): Motor vehicle drivers who apply to participate in traffic safety education to reduce points for traffic violations shall participate in corresponding road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge learning, examinations, or traffic safety public welfare activities according to their highest permitted driving model and meet relevant requirements to apply for a reduction in traffic violation points. The Law Study Score Reduction is a measure for drivers holding a driver's license who have been penalized with points due to traffic violations. After participating in online traffic safety learning and passing the examination, their points can be reduced. The Law Study Score Reduction is a convenient traffic management measure uniformly deployed by the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. Specific precautions are as follows: Applicable population: Motor vehicle drivers who hold a driver's license of the People's Republic of China, regardless of the permitted driving model or whether they are commercial vehicle drivers, can participate in the Law Study Score Reduction. They must participate in corresponding road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge learning and examinations according to their highest permitted driving model. Specific rules: Motor vehicle drivers participating in online road traffic laws, regulations, and related content learning must study continuously for 5 minutes each time, accumulating 30 minutes of study time within 3 days. They can then register for an examination within 7 days. Upon passing the examination, 1 point can be reduced. Drivers can also participate in on-site learning, with each study session lasting no less than 1 hour. After completing the required study hours, they can apply for an examination. Upon passing, 2 points can be reduced. Cases not accepted: The following situations will not be accepted: In the previous scoring cycle, the driver had two or more full-point records. Within a 3-point cycle, the driver fled the scene of a traffic accident, drove under the influence of alcohol, or engaged in the manufacture or alteration of documents or license plates. The driver's license is in the probation period or has not been reviewed on time. The driver has unresolved traffic violation records under their name. The driver has a motor vehicle under their name with an expired safety technical inspection or not deregistered as required. The driver has already reduced the maximum of 6 points in the current cycle.
I used to receive quite a few traffic tickets while driving, and it wasn't until my points were almost completely deducted that I heard about the 'study to reduce points' program. Later, I tried operating it on the Traffic Management 12123 APP and found it quite convenient. First, you watch a 30-minute educational video with content covering actual cases and traffic rules, followed by an exam. The questions aren't too difficult but require genuine learning. Passing once can reduce 1 point, and last year I managed to reduce 4 points this way. Personally, I find the most practical aspect is that the learning content reminds you which behaviors are most likely to result in violations, such as distracted driving by looking at your phone or rushing through yellow lights, which has actually made me drive more carefully now. However, it's important to note that not all regions have this function available, as it depends on local policies.
From a policy design perspective, the 'Study to Reduce Points' initiative genuinely embodies a people-oriented philosophy. Its core purpose isn't to encourage violations, but rather to allow drivers to relearn traffic rules and rectify their mistakes. I've noted that the national standard requires 30 minutes of study before taking the test, with 1 point deducted per attempt and a maximum of 6 points reducible within a cycle. In practice, participants must complete educational video viewing and quizzes covering common mistake areas like speeding judgments and sign recognition. One noteworthy detail is that failing the test three times mandates re-learning, preventing perfunctory participation. Drivers with 3-6 penalty points on their license should particularly consider this option—it not only helps avoid retaking the theoretical exam but also reinforces safety awareness, proving more educational than simple point deductions.
