Will running a red light with temporary license plates result in demerit points?
3 Answers
Yes, demerit points will be incurred. According to Article 90 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law", drivers who violate traffic signals will be given a warning or fined, and additionally penalized with 6 demerit points. Temporary license plates are paper-based motor vehicle plate numbers that permit temporary road use. Traffic violation penalties are not related to whether the vehicle has temporary or permanent plates; they are primarily imposed for the act of illegal driving itself. Determining a red-light violation requires at least three pieces of photographic evidence: the vehicle has not moved beyond the stop line when the red light is on; the vehicle has passed through the intersection when the red light is on; the vehicle has crossed the line and continued moving forward when the red light is on. Article 26 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law": Traffic signals consist of red, green, and yellow lights. A red light indicates prohibition of passage, a green light indicates permission to pass, and a yellow light serves as a warning. Article 44: When motor vehicles pass through intersections, they should proceed according to traffic signals, traffic signs, road markings, or the direction of traffic police. Ways to avoid running red lights: When arrow signal lights are present, observe the arrow lights; otherwise, observe the circular lights. When the red light is on, the front of the vehicle must not cross the stop line. When the yellow light is on, the front of the vehicle must not cross the stop line. When the green light just starts flashing, if the distance is close and speed is high, you should proceed, as braking may not stop the vehicle before the stop line; if the distance is far, speed is low, or the intersection is congested, you should stop. When driving in the city, develop the habit of looking for traffic lights whenever you see crosswalks or stop lines approaching an intersection.
When I first bought my new car and had temporary plates, I also wondered about this. I asked a few experienced drivers, and they all said that running a red light with temporary plates still results in points deducted and fines, because the cameras can capture the plate and trace the owner's information. My friend ran a red light with temporary plates last year and was caught on camera. When he went to get his official plates, he found out he had been penalized with 6 points deducted and a 200-yuan fine, which made him regret it deeply. Actually, temporary plates are just for the transition period, but traffic rules are not relaxed at all. Drivers shouldn’t try to cut corners—slowing down and stopping at red lights is the right way. Safety comes first, and it also saves trouble. Always pay attention to road signs and signals, and developing good habits is better than anything else.
Having driven for over a decade, I've seen too many people make this mistake. Temporary license plates are not a talisman—running a red light caught by cameras will still result in penalty points. The temp plate is linked to the owner's name and address, and violations are directly uploaded to the system. When processed, standard penalties apply, typically a 6-point deduction plus a fine. This isn't just about rules; it's about safety. Stopping at red lights prevents accidents and protects yourself and others. I advise new drivers not to underestimate the risks of temp plates—follow traffic rules diligently to avoid future trips to the traffic police station. Patience and alertness are key when driving—don't let haste lead to trouble.
