Will changing lanes in a tunnel result in penalty points?

[JackMarie]

If a driver changes lanes once in a tunnel where lane changes are prohibited and is captured by electronic police surveillance, they will be penalized with 3 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. Relevant information: 1. Reasons for prohibiting lane changes in tunnels: The road surface inside tunnels is relatively narrow with poor visibility. If the tunnel has curves, changing lanes can easily lead to accidents, hence the prohibition. 2. Legal basis: According to the "New Traffic Regulations on Driver's License Penalty Points": If a motor vehicle driver commits any of the following violations, they will be penalized with 3 demerit points: Driving a passenger vehicle (excluding buses) or school bus with passengers exceeding the approved number by less than 20%. Driving a medium-sized or larger passenger or cargo vehicle, or a hazardous materials transport vehicle on roads other than highways or urban expressways, or driving any other motor vehicle at a speed exceeding the limit by less than 20%.

[McEdward]

Changing lanes in a tunnel will definitely result in penalty points! I remember last time in Hangzhou’s river-crossing tunnel, I crossed the solid line to change lanes and received a ticket 3 days later—directly 3 points deducted and a 200-yuan fine. Nowadays, tunnels are fully equipped with high-definition cameras that can even capture the exact angle of your wheels touching the solid line. Actually, changing lanes inside a tunnel is extremely dangerous due to the abrupt shifts between light and darkness, making it hard for drivers behind to adjust their vision. A slight lapse in attention could lead to a rear-end collision. Once, I almost hit the car in front because someone suddenly cut in while inside the tunnel. My advice is to choose your lane before entering the tunnel. If you encounter a slow-moving vehicle, just follow patiently—safety comes first, and fines or points are minor issues in comparison.

[OLandon]

Personal experience confirms that changing lanes in tunnels will definitely be caught on camera! Last week in Xiamen's Xiang'an Tunnel, I switched to the left lane because it looked emptier, only to receive a traffic violation notification from 12123 the next day. A traffic police friend told me that tunnels nationwide now have nearly comprehensive electronic surveillance, with over 95% accuracy in capturing lane changes. The solid lines on tunnel roads mean this is a clear violation of prohibitory signs, resulting in an immediate 3-point deduction on the driver's license. What's more frustrating is that such violations cannot be appealed, as the backend system automatically identifies solid line crossings. Now I've developed the habit of staying in one lane throughout the tunnel—though it's frustrating behind trucks, it's better than getting a ticket.

[LaAngela]

As a veteran driver with ten years of experience, I can tell you for sure: changing lanes in a tunnel will definitely result in penalty points. All lane markings in tunnels are solid lines, and changing lanes means driving over solid lines, which incurs a 3-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine according to regulations. More importantly, it's a safety concern. Tunnels have poor lighting, narrow space, and loud echoes, making it impossible for the car behind to react in time to a sudden lane change. Last year in the Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel, I witnessed a seven-car pile-up caused by the first car illegally changing lanes. Develop the habit of choosing your lane at least 50 meters before entering the tunnel. If you encounter a slow-moving car, don't rush—use your hazard lights to alert the car behind to keep a safe distance. It's not too late to overtake after exiting the tunnel.

[DerekAnn]

Those who have been penalized for lane changes in tunnels, speak up. Last year in the Yantianao Tunnel in Shenzhen, I followed the navigation prompt to merge right. The moment my wheels touched the solid line corner, the flash went off twice. Later, I found out that modern tunnels are equipped with lane change recognition systems, which use multiple cameras to create 3D models of vehicle trajectories. The fine is secondary; the real issue is that lane changes in tunnels are highly prone to accidents. Tunnel walls block visibility, making it hard for trailing vehicles to see turn signals. It's best to enable lane-keeping assist if available. If not, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and avoid unnecessary movements.