What to Do When All 12 Points on Your Driver's License Are Deducted?

[VonFernando]

When all 12 points on your driver's license are deducted, the traffic management department of the public security authority shall confiscate your motor vehicle driver's license. The motor vehicle driver must then re-participate in a seven-day study and examination on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. If you pass the subject one exam, the points will be cleared, and your motor vehicle driver's license will be returned. If you fail the subject one exam, you will need to continue studying and retaking the exam. A driver's license, also known as a "driving license," is a document issued by the government's transportation department to individuals who qualify to drive. To obtain a driver's license, you must meet the required age and pass the driving test. The driver's license specifies the types of motor vehicles the holder is permitted to drive, such as motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, buses, etc.

[SanDante]

I remember last year when my driver's license was deducted a full 12 points, I was completely stunned. I immediately reported to the DMV, where they arranged for me to attend a 7-day traffic rules study class. Sitting in the classroom every day watching accident videos, the instructor's lectures gave me goosebumps. After the study session, I had to retake the written test (Subject 1), and I spent three consecutive days brushing through the question bank before passing. On the day I got my license back, I made sure to check the scoring cycle chart. Now when I drive, I brake early at yellow lights. I advise friends who get points deducted to check the 12123 APP promptly—delaying might even require retaking the road test. During this period, I relied entirely on taxis for travel, and it turned out to be much more expensive than traffic fines—totally not worth it.

[MacVincent]

Last month, I just finished dealing with the situation where all 12 points were deducted. The most crucial part was registering at the vehicle management office with my ID card within 15 days; otherwise, my driver's license would have been suspended. I opted for the online learning mode, watching three hours of online courses daily on the Comprehensive Traffic Safety Service Management Platform. During the final on-site written test, my palms were sweaty—the questions were much harder than when I took the driver's license test ten years ago. I paid a 60 yuan fee for the retest, and I made sure to keep the score report safe. Now, every time I get in the car, I remind myself: two instances of speeding (6 points each) and it's game over, and on the highway, I maintain at least a 100-meter following distance. After regaining my driving eligibility, the points were reset to zero, but the violation records are permanently retained.

[StCora]

A full 12-point penalty on the driving license requires attending a full-score education program. My cousin was required to attend seven days of classes this time last year, from 8 AM to 5 PM, just like going to work. The learning content includes the latest traffic regulations and defensive driving techniques. The final exam covers road sign questions and emergency response questions. I've seen two people who had to retake the test three times before passing. Driving during the license suspension period is treated as driving without a license, and offenders may face detention. After reclaiming the license, avoid long-distance trips in the first month as driving skills can easily become rusty.

[SanLucas]

Don't panic when all 12 points are deducted, but act quickly. My colleague's experience: First, go to the traffic police station to get the penalty decision, then undergo a physical examination at the designated hospital. You can choose between on-site or online learning formats. He chose the on-site class, finding the interaction more engaging. The learning content covers new regulations on yielding to pedestrians and key points for driving in severe weather. After passing the exam, the vehicle management office will issue a review certificate. Remember, driving during the suspension period can leave a record if caught, potentially affecting job hunting. Now, he always uses navigation to alert him of speed limits and has hung a '0 points for safety' charm on the rearview mirror to remind himself.

[BrookeMarie]

Handling 12 penalty points requires passing three hurdles: the learning phase, the exam phase, and the psychological phase. Last time I attended training, I saw many ride-hailing drivers who were most afraid of missing orders. The training class emphasized the dangers of distracted driving, and now I pull over to check my phone. The supplementary exam for Subject 1 has added a new section on yielding to emergency vehicles. Don’t touch the car keys before getting your license back—even when riding a shared bike, wear a helmet. It’s recommended to install a dashcam with ADAS functionality, which beeps when you change lanes or cross lines. Develop the habit of staying alert when your points are halfway gone—the process for handling 11 points versus 12 points is worlds apart.