What to Do When You Have Only 6 Points Left on Your License and Run a Red Light?

[AshleyLee]

If you have only 6 points left on your license and run a red light, there are two possible scenarios. 1. Probationary driving license cancellation: First, for A and B class driving licenses, if 6 points are deducted during the probationary period, the probationary period will be extended by one year; if another 6 points are deducted during the extended probationary period, the probationary driving license will be canceled. 2. Downgrade and license replacement at the DMV: If a full license receives two consecutive 6-point deductions, the highest driving class will be canceled, and the driver must visit the DMV within 30 days to complete the downgrade and license replacement process. For A and B class licenses, whether during probation or full license period, accumulating 12 points within a single scoring cycle will result in the cancellation of the highest driving class.

[StKate]

Last time I also had only 6 points left on my license, and accidentally ran a red light without noticing. I immediately went to the traffic police station to handle the violation and paid a 200 yuan fine. But the most troublesome part was that after accumulating 12 penalty points, my driver's license was suspended, and I had to attend a 7-day road traffic safety education course. I registered at the traffic police brigade and attended morning classes every day, which covered commonly overlooked driving rules and real accident cases. On the 8th day after completing the course, I took the theoretical exam (Subject 1). Before the test, I practiced repeatedly with the driving test app and passed with 95 points to get my license back. During that period, I didn't dare touch the steering wheel at all and relied entirely on taxis and buses. My advice is to handle it immediately without delay - traffic cameras are extremely accurate nowadays, so never take chances.

[DiBarrett]

I have experience dealing with traffic violations. Two years ago, I lost all my points due to speeding when my points were already low. The first thing to do after reaching 12 penalty points is to attend a study session at the DMV—remember to bring your ID and the temporary seizure certificate. The course is actually quite useful; the instructor analyzes real accident footage, and I finally realized how terrifying accidents caused by running red lights can be. The test is a re-examination of the subject one (written test), with the same question bank as the driver's license test. You can pass by practicing on your phone for two days. But the toughest part is that the scoring cycle doesn't reset after getting your license back, meaning you'll still only have 6 points the following year. Now, I slow down when I see a yellow light, and navigation apps help by alerting me to traffic light locations in advance. There's really no need to rush those few seconds.

[LenaRose]

You must immediately go to the traffic management department to accept the penalty for this situation. Running a red light results in 6 demerit points and a fine. If the total demerit points reach 12, your driver's license will be temporarily suspended. According to regulations, you are required to attend a 7-day traffic rules study session. Within 20 days after completing the study, you must take the subject one exam. If you pass, the points will be cleared and your license returned; if you fail, you will need to continue studying and retake the exam. During the processing period, you are not allowed to drive, otherwise it will be considered as driving without a license. It is recommended to download the Traffic Management 12123 APP on your phone to check violation information. If you pay attention during the study period, passing the exam is not difficult.

[LeArianna]

It's quite common to have insufficient points and still violate traffic rules. Our fleet's Old Zhang just went through this last month. He went to the bank to pay the fine on the same day, then took the receipt to the traffic police station to apply for a traffic education course. The course offers morning and afternoon sessions to choose from—he opted for the early class starting at 8:30 AM, with three hours daily of case analysis lectures. After passing the test on Friday, he got his license back by Saturday. The biggest impact was on his work—his Didi rides were suspended for seven days, costing him over 2,000 yuan in lost income. If you're working, it's best to choose a weekend class or take time off to handle it. After sorting it out, install a driving behavior recorder—it can alert you to speeding and red lights.

[DiFrancisco]

I just dealt with a similar situation last week when I ran a red light with only 7 points left. First, I went to the bank to pay the 200 yuan fine, then took my driver's license to the traffic police station to complete the temporary suspension procedures. The training course lasted a whole week, where the instructor taught us how to interpret complex signal light setups—especially those countdown arrow lights that are easy to misjudge. On the exam day, my hands were shaking from nerves, but the questions were all basic traffic rules, so memorizing the study materials was enough. After getting my license back, I now start checking signal light changes from 100 meters away at intersections. Remember, never drive during the suspension period—getting caught means your car will be impounded plus additional fines, which isn't worth the risk.