What to do if the violation number is 16 digits but 15 digits are required?
4 Answers
If the traffic violation penalty decision document number is 15 digits, please bring your vehicle license and driver's license to the vehicle management office or traffic police station for processing. It is rare for the traffic violation penalty decision document number to have 15 digits. The best way to avoid this is to comply with traffic regulations and avoid causing trouble and losses for yourself and society. Methods to avoid traffic violations are as follows: 1. Method 1: Familiarize yourself with traffic regulations. 2. Method 2: Master driving skills proficiently, expand your field of vision to avoid being distracted and flustered, and be alert to traffic police and surveillance cameras. 3. Method 3: Try not to speed, and you can also use safety driving systems such as navigation devices for speed limit alerts. 4. Method 4: Frequently check maps and familiarize yourself with routes to reduce the probability of detours. 5. Method 5: Develop the habit of checking violation records online to avoid failing the annual vehicle inspection.
I just encountered a similar situation this month! When dealing with the traffic violation, I found the system required a 15-digit number, but my ticket showed a 16-digit one. At first, I thought it was a system bug, but upon careful checking, I realized I had misread the line—the ticket had both a 15-digit document number and a 16-digit decision number. I suggest you take out the original ticket and look in the top-left and top-right corners; usually, both numbers are printed there. If you really can't find the 15-digit code, the easiest way is to bring your driver's license to the DMV counter. The staff can look up the record with your ID number and print out the 15-digit number slip for you on the spot. Never try to delete or guess the digits yourself, as entering the wrong number might prevent you from paying the fine.
Last time I helped a neighbor deal with a traffic ticket from another city, I ran into this issue. The 16-digit number is the decision document number, while many self-service payment systems require a 15-digit penalty decision document number. I found that when paying via mobile banking apps, removing the last letter of the 16-digit number allowed the payment to go through. However, rules vary by city: first-tier cities generally require the full 16 digits, while third-tier city systems might only recognize the first 15 digits. The safest method is to directly check on the local traffic police's official WeChat account—enter the license plate number and the last six digits of the engine number, and it will display a list of pending violations with the 15-digit number.
I remember once dealing with a traffic ticket at a highway service area, the toll collector shared a trick with me: in most cases, removing the first letter from the 16-digit number leaves you with the 15-digit number. For example, Lu B1234567890123X becomes 1234567890123X after removing the B, which is exactly 15 digits. However, the rules for electronic traffic tickets in Fujian and Guangdong are different, so it's necessary to check the official website. If you encounter a system error, don't panic—try refreshing the page or switching browsers first. I've had this issue on the 12123 APP before, and after logging out and back in, the system automatically matched the correct number. If all else fails, call 122 for manual assistance; providing your license plate number will help them retrieve the corresponding ticket number.
