Will an A2 driver's license be downgraded after accumulating 12 penalty points?
3 Answers
An A2 license will not be downgraded after receiving 12 penalty points. According to the new regulations implemented on April 1, 2022, A2 license holders who accumulate 12 penalty points within a scoring cycle will no longer face downgrading. Instead, the driver needs to participate in Subject 1 study and examination to clear the penalty points and retrieve their license. The A2 license allows driving tractor-trailers, which can tow heavy-duty and medium-duty full trailers/semi-trailers. Trailers are divided into two types: full trailers and semi-trailers. A full trailer bears its total weight independently, while a semi-trailer shares part of its total weight with the towing vehicle. Only drivers holding an A2 license can operate such tractor-trailers; even those with an A1 license cannot drive them. To downgrade an A2 license, visit the local vehicle management office with your ID card and driver's license. Downgrading an A2 license will result in a B1 or B2 license. The A2 license corresponds to tractor-trailers, the B1 license to medium-sized passenger vehicles, and the B2 license to large trucks. Other vehicle types that an A2 license holder can drive include: B1 (medium-sized passenger vehicles), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). Article 68 of the new traffic regulations states that drivers holding licenses for large buses, tractor-trailers, city buses, medium-sized passenger vehicles, or large trucks will have their highest-level driving qualification revoked under the following circumstances, and they must apply for a downgrade within 30 days: Being involved in a traffic accident resulting in death and bearing equal or greater responsibility, without constituting a crime. Accumulating 12 penalty points within a scoring cycle. Failing to undergo inspection for three consecutive scoring cycles. A driver's license, officially known as a motor vehicle driving license or simply "license," is a legally required document for operating motor vehicles. Driving a motor vehicle requires specific skills. Without these skills, driving recklessly may lead to accidents, which is why unlicensed individuals are not allowed on the road. For those who have mastered safe driving techniques, the document permitting them to drive is the "driver's license." Permission to drive is granted through the issuance of a driver's license. This indicates that obtaining a license is a formal procedure requiring approval from specialized authorities. Internationally, a driver's license is defined as: "a document issued by competent authorities permitting the holder to drive a motor vehicle." In China, a driver's license is defined as: a legal certificate issued by administrative authorities to individuals who have learned and mastered traffic regulations and driving skills, allowing them to operate specific types of motor vehicles.
Well, I've been driving for over a decade and I'm quite familiar with various license regulations. When it comes to accumulating 12 penalty points on an A2 driver's license, it will indeed result in a downgrade. I've had friends who encountered this situation - one was driving for a transportation company when he accidentally sped and ran red lights, accumulating enough points that when he went to the DMV, the staff informed him his A2 license would be downgraded to a Class B. This rule is based on China's traffic regulations - when Class A licenses accumulate 12 points, the holder must complete a seven-day full-point study course and pass the exam to retrieve their license, but the permitted vehicle types will be downgraded one level. After downgrading, the ability to drive large vehicles becomes restricted, which creates significant problems for professional drivers and affects their income. I recommend all A2 license holders drive carefully, minimize violations, regularly check their points via the app, and avoid letting small issues accumulate into big problems. Don't wait until after downgrading to regret it - safety first is always the golden rule.
I often drive long-distance trucks, and the A2 license is my bread and butter. Let me tell you, if you accumulate 12 penalty points, it will definitely be downgraded. That's how the rules are set—once the points are full, you have to report to the DMV, attend classes, and take a test. After passing, the license will be downgraded from A2 to Class B, and you can no longer drive tractor-trailers. This is a huge blow to me. I almost got caught once but avoided it by handling the points in time. The related issue is that after a downgrade, you’ll need to retake the test to restore the original license level, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and could even cost you your job. So, when driving big rigs daily, you must stay vigilant: don’t speed, don’t drink and drive, and use small tricks like setting speed reminders. Remember, following the rules is the only way to keep your livelihood.
