Will I Get Penalty Points for Driving in the Wrong Direction by Accident?
3 Answers
Reverse driving is penalized with 3 penalty points and a certain fine. Article 88 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates the types of penalties for road traffic safety violations, including: warning, fine, temporary suspension or revocation of motor vehicle driving license, and detention. Motor vehicle drivers who commit any of the following traffic violations will be penalized with 12 points at once: driving under the influence of alcohol; driving during the period when the motor vehicle driving license is temporarily suspended; fleeing after causing a traffic accident without constituting a crime; forcibly passing in violation of traffic control regulations and refusing to heed dissuasion; using another person's motor vehicle driving license to drive a motor vehicle, etc. Motor vehicle drivers who commit any of the following traffic violations will be penalized with 6 points at once: driving after drinking alcohol; operating a passenger vehicle on the highway with more than 20% over the approved number of passengers or carrying goods in violation of regulations; operating a truck with more than 30% over the approved load capacity or carrying passengers in violation of regulations; driving a motor vehicle at more than 50% over the prescribed speed limit on the highway or parking on the highway in violation of regulations, etc. Motor vehicle drivers who commit any of the following traffic violations will be penalized with 3 points at once: violating road traffic signals; driving below the prescribed minimum speed limit on the highway; towing a faulty or accident vehicle on the highway in violation of regulations; carrying passengers in the cargo compartment of a truck or on a two-wheeled motorcycle on the highway, etc.
I was driving on an unfamiliar small road and accidentally went the wrong way, getting caught on camera at that very moment. Later, I received a ticket, lost 3 points, and was fined 200 yuan. This experience taught me a lesson: always stay focused on road signs while driving. Even unintentional wrong-way driving results in penalty points because traffic rules are strict. Based on experience, minor violations typically deduct 3 points, while serious accidents may cost 12 points. I recommend using navigation apps for road condition alerts to avoid distractions. If you do violate the rules, promptly accept the penalty and attend safety courses to reduce future risks.
As a novice driver, I asked similar questions right after getting my license. Driving in the wrong direction will definitely result in penalty points—I checked the regulations, and it's usually a 3-point deduction with a fine exceeding 200 yuan. Beginners are prone to making mistakes at complex intersections, especially during rainy weather or when traffic lights are dim. Penalty points accumulate, and in severe cases, your license could be revoked. My advice is to practice more to familiarize yourself with the roads, enable the lane-keeping assist system, and adhere to speed limits. This can reduce risks, as safety should always come first—don’t let small mistakes ruin a promising driving career.
