Why is loading a bicycle in the trunk penalized with 12 points?

[DiHarrison]

Loading a bicycle in the trunk is penalized with 12 points because the owner installed a bicycle rack in the trunk area and did not position it correctly during installation, thereby obstructing the rear license plate number. This constitutes intentional concealment of the license plate, which, according to regulations, results in an immediate 12-point deduction. The Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulate provisions regarding "driving with doors or compartments not properly closed": Since February 26, 2005, for small passenger vehicles loading wheelchairs in the trunk within the city, as long as they are secured in a certain manner and do not obstruct the rear window view, traffic police will no longer impose penalties. It is important to note that when small passenger vehicles transport bicycles or wheelchairs, there must be no obstruction of the license plate; otherwise, penalties will still apply.

[Ria]

I've been driving for over a decade, and it's truly dangerous to drive with a bicycle sticking out of the trunk. Imagine the bicycle blocking the rear windshield—completely obscuring your view of the traffic behind. Even a slight turn could lead to an accident. Traffic police would definitely penalize this situation because it violates traffic rules: obstructing visibility equates to dangerous driving, and an overloaded trunk might also obscure the license plate. A 12-point penalty is a severe punishment, highlighting how serious this violation is. I recommend friends who need to transport bicycles to use proper bike racks, securely mounted on the roof or rear frame, ensuring they don’t obstruct driving visibility. Safety comes first—even a small oversight on the road can lead to disaster. Regular vehicle maintenance should include checks on proper load specifications.

[VanRosalie]

I usually enjoy studying automotive regulations, and this issue is actually quite common. Traffic laws prohibit unauthorized modifications to the vehicle body or obscuring the license plate. If a bicycle is stuffed in the trunk and sticks out, it's considered improper loading, and the police may view it as interfering with the safety of other vehicles. The 12-point penalty is because this could lead to accidents, such as the bicycle falling out and injuring someone during emergency braking. Specifically, obscuring the license plate itself is a major 12-point violation. From my experience, it's best to check everything before driving: if you must carry a bicycle, fold it properly, secure it inside the trunk with the door tightly closed, or simply invest in a roof-mounted bike rack for better compliance. This way, it's both convenient and worry-free, avoiding the risk of losing your license points in an instant. Ultimately, regulations aren't just about fines and penalties—they're primarily about protecting public safety for everyone.

[JanelleLee]

Last year, I saw a friend get heavily fined for doing the same. He had a bicycle in the trunk with the door not properly closed, and within ten minutes on the road, the police pulled him over, straight up saying it obscured the license plate and deducted 12 points. The reason was simple: the bicycle was too large and blocked the rearview mirror's visibility, especially at night when the taillights couldn’t be seen clearly, making it easy to cause an accident. This kind of violation is considered high-risk modification, and losing all your license points in one go means having to retake the test. My advice is to either disassemble the bike and put it inside the car or just rent a shared bicycle. Safety comes first—saving a bit of trouble isn’t worth losing points over.

[AubreyAnn]

I think this is mainly because it poses too great a safety hazard. If the trunk is open with a bicycle inside, strong winds can cause the bicycle to swing around and potentially fall off, hitting the car behind, or obstructing your own view and causing an accident when turning. From a regulatory perspective, this counts as an illegal modification, and if caught by the police, it’s an immediate 12-point deduction without negotiation. The solution is simple: use a dedicated bike rack to secure the bicycle firmly, or fasten the trunk door tightly to prevent it from opening. Paying attention to such small details while driving and following the rules will help you avoid unnecessary penalties. Rather than losing points and paying fines, it’s better to put in a little effort to ensure proper placement for greater safety.

[ClaytonLynn]

Getting 12 points deducted for carrying bicycles in the trunk ultimately serves to protect public safety. Bicycles protruding outside can easily scratch other vehicles or pedestrians, and obstructing license plates further hinders the operation of road surveillance systems. Having all points deducted at once indicates this behavior is extremely dangerous and may trigger chain accidents. As car owners, we should take responsibility: properly secure bicycles using hitch-mounted racks; if that's not feasible, switch to public transportation instead. This not only avoids point deductions but also ensures smoother and more harmonious travel for everyone.