What to Do When Your Driver's License Reaches 12 Penalty Points?

[McLaila]

The driver needs to bring the "Admission Notice" to the school to register and participate in the study. If the driver finds out through inquiry that the points have been fully deducted, they can also bring their driver's license to register, which is equally valid. The courses include Road Violation Points and Penalties, Driver's Psychological Quality and Traffic Safety, Road Traffic Safety Laws and Regulations, etc. After participating in the study, the vehicle management authority should conduct a road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test within 20 days. If the test is passed, the penalty points will be cleared, and the driver's license will be returned.

[Lonnie]

Just dealt with this issue a few days ago and stepped into the same trap. After my driver's license accumulated 12 penalty points, the traffic police directly informed me that I couldn't drive anymore and had to report to the DMV within 15 days. I paid 200 yuan to attend a 7-day traffic safety course, where the classroom was packed like sardines. After the theoretical study, I took the Subject 1 test, which surprisingly included new dynamic analysis questions that tripped up many experienced drivers. Remember, you can only retrieve your license after passing the exam—if you fail the retake, you have to continue studying. During this period, renting a car or using car-sharing services counts as unlicensed driving, which carries a 2,000 yuan fine and 15-day detention if caught. I recommend checking the penalty point details on the 12123 APP—some out-of-town violations can actually be appealed.

[AliyahLynn]

This is a real headache for us truck drivers. Losing all 12 points means an immediate suspension of commercial vehicle operation, and the company dispatcher will hit the roof. Don't forget to bring your ID and the original ticket when reporting to the traffic police station – expect at least two hours of queuing at the processing window. The remedial classes require facial recognition check-ins four times daily, and I nearly went cross-eyed memorizing all 500 questions from the test bank. The real kicker is that the reinstatement exam now includes defensive driving questions, making the old trick of taking tests for others obsolete. Probationary drivers need extra caution – hitting 12 points means direct license revocation. Better keep a driving test prep app handy for practice, with special focus on those new rainy-day driving safety questions during preparation.

[DeAnastasia]

Having worked in traffic management for many years, there is a standard procedure for handling cases where all 12 points are deducted. According to Article 23 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law, drivers must attend full-score education at designated locations within 7 days after receiving the demerit notice. Special attention should be paid to the current learning period being changed to a 5+2 model, with 2 days of mandatory offline attendance and an attendance rate of no less than 90%. The exam question bank contains 1,200 randomly selected questions, including 45 newly added 3D simulation questions on drunk driving accidents. If not handled within the deadline, the driver's license will be suspended by public notice, and continued driving will be penalized as unlicensed driving with a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000 yuan. It is recommended to keep all learning certificates, as some cities may experience system omissions in recording after implementing electronic signatures.

[GideonFitz]

For a new driver who just got their license half a year ago, this was an absolute nightmare. When receiving the text message, I initially thought it was a scam—until the traffic management app 12123 showed my demerit points turning red, then panic set in. Not being able to drive during the processing period felt like losing a leg, adding an extra hour to my daily subway commute to work. In the remedial class, I met a mom who brought her kid along; she got 9 points deducted for illegal parking near a school, and combined with previously accumulated speeding points, her license was suspended. During the test, my hands trembled so much I messed up three questions about light usage, delaying my retake by another three days. The most frustrating part? Spending over 2,000 CNY on a designated driver—more expensive than my car insurance. Now, the first thing I do when getting in the car is maxing out the navigation alert volume, and even yellow speed bumps trigger an instinctive brake slam.

[ZoeyMarie]

Running a family-owned auto repair shop, we often encounter such clients. There was a BMW owner who had all 12 points deducted for changing lanes in a tunnel. After removing the dashcam, it was discovered that sunlight had interfered with the camera. In fact, as long as an administrative reconsideration is applied for within 60 days of receiving the penalty notice, the driving rights can be retained while waiting for the outcome. However, most people choose to obediently attend traffic classes. It's advisable to bring a medical examination report when taking the test, as some clients have been stuck on traffic signal questions due to color vision deficiency. After passing the test, don't rush to leave; remember to go to the designated window to pay a 15-yuan fee for the reissuance of the driver's license. During this period, it's best to have family members start the vehicle regularly, as starting problems caused by a dead battery are more troublesome than driving without a license.