Will a novice driver be penalized for stalling at a traffic light?
3 Answers
Stalling at a traffic light does not result in penalty points. During normal driving, stalling when the traffic light turns red will not incur penalty points. Even if you stall when the light is green, there are no penalties, though drivers behind may honk to urge you to move. However, crossing the solid line while the light is red will lead to penalty points. Additional relevant information is as follows: Note 1: For short stops, such as at a brief red light, simply pressing the brake is sufficient. However, if the stop exceeds 2 minutes, shift to N (Neutral) gear to protect the transmission and prevent overheating of the transmission fluid. If the stop exceeds 5 minutes, it’s best to turn off the engine and shift to P (Park) gear—this is both eco-friendly and fuel-efficient. Note 2: When accelerating from a stop, avoid flooring the accelerator, as this only increases engine RPM, causing unnecessary engine noise, transmission wear, and fuel wastage. Instead, gently press the accelerator and use low-speed downshifting to increase torque for smoother acceleration. Gradually and evenly increase speed before accelerating further—this approach makes driving an automatic transmission vehicle feel smoother. For short stops, such as at a brief red light, simply pressing the brake is sufficient. However, if the stop exceeds 2 minutes, shift to N (Neutral) gear to protect the transmission and prevent overheating of the transmission fluid. If the stop exceeds 5 minutes, it’s best to turn off the engine and shift to P (Park) gear—this is both eco-friendly and fuel-efficient.
I still remember when I just got my driver's license, stalling at traffic lights was quite common. Once, when the light turned green, I was in a hurry to start but stalled, and the cars behind kept honking. I broke out in a cold sweat, thinking I'd get penalty points. Later, I checked the traffic rules and realized: stalling itself doesn't incur penalty points because it's not an intentional violation, just an operational mistake. However, if you block traffic for too long, a traffic officer might come over to remind or educate you, but that's not considered a penalty. Beginners are most prone to this kind of mistake. It's recommended to practice starting on flat ground and slopes more, slowly releasing the clutch while stepping on the accelerator to get the coordination right, and naturally, you'll stall less. If you do stall, don't panic—quickly restart the engine and move on, turning on the hazard lights to alert other drivers. Remember, safety comes first, and patient practice is the key to improvement. Penalty points are only for violations like running red lights or speeding. Beginners shouldn't put too much pressure on themselves; driving is a skill that improves with practice.
As an experienced driver, I fully understand the anxiety new drivers feel when stalling at traffic lights. Rest assured, stalling alone won't incur penalty points - traffic regulations impose points for clear violations like running red lights or speeding. Stalling is a technical error caused by improper clutch control, not a legal offense. However, if stalling causes severe traffic congestion at intersections, it might attract verbal warnings from traffic police without fines or points. During the learning phase, don't fear mistakes - the key is learning from them: master starting techniques like slowly releasing the clutch while gently applying throttle. If you stall, immediately restart the engine and continue driving. Practice repeatedly in open areas like parking lots to develop good driving habits. As your skills improve, stalling will naturally decrease. Safe driving should be your top priority, not worrying about penalty points.
