Will You Get Points Deducted for Driving with the Trunk Open?

[Chiron]

Driving with the car trunk unclosed and in an open state is considered a traffic violation. Typically, electronic surveillance cameras do not capture this type of violation. However, if spotted by traffic police, the vehicle may be stopped, and a ticket issued for violating road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road usage. Depending on the situation, the driver might only receive a warning without any fine or point deduction, or face a penalty ranging from 20 to 200 yuan. The specific circumstances are as follows: 1. If the trunk is not properly closed and the traffic police find that it obstructs the driver's view or interferes with the normal passage of other vehicles and pedestrians on the road, the driver may be fined 200 yuan and have 3 points deducted. This is because such behavior poses a significant risk of traffic accidents and safety hazards, warranting stricter penalties to deter recurrence. 2. If the trunk is left open to carry special cargo that obscures the vehicle's license plate, the driver may be caught by electronic surveillance or traffic police. In this case, the violation could be treated as intentional concealment of the license plate, resulting in a fine of 20 to 200 yuan and a 12-point deduction. However, the final decision depends on the judgment of the local traffic police department.

[ChaseRose]

Last time I was in a hurry for a business trip and got on the highway without properly closing the trunk, which resulted in being pulled over by the traffic police and fined. Luckily, no points were deducted. However, this can't be generalized as it depends on local regulations. For example, Jiangsu explicitly stipulates that driving with doors or compartments not properly closed will result in a 1-point penalty and a 100 yuan fine, while Shenzhen is stricter with a 500 yuan penalty. Driving with an open trunk not only blocks the rearview mirror but also poses a greater risk of luggage being thrown out on bumpy roads. A friend of mine once drove with the trunk open in the rain, and water got in, damaging the amplifier. It's advisable to walk around the car for a quick check before departure and listen for the locking sound when using the key to lock the car for extra safety.

[Juniper]

The day before yesterday, while picking up my child from school, I saw a parent driving off with the trunk open, and the schoolbag inside fell out. When the traffic police came to handle the situation, I specifically asked about it. This kind of behavior isn’t a direct point-deducting violation, but it will be classified as obstructing safe driving. Nowadays, many cities use electronic police surveillance to capture such incidents, and a ticket is unavoidable. What’s more troublesome is that if it causes an accident—for example, the trunk suddenly pops up and hits a motorcycle—the driver will be fully responsible. Especially for SUVs used for carrying goods, extra caution is needed. Once, I was moving household appliances and tied the trunk with a rope, but the knot came loose halfway, nearly causing an accident.

[DiLayla]

The trunk latch on my old sedan has been broken for a while. Once when driving on rural bumpy roads, it wasn't closed properly and popped open from the jolts. I later asked my cousin who's a traffic cop, and he said this wouldn't directly incur demerit points but could result in a fine of 50-200 yuan. However, if caught on camera on the highway, it might be penalized under the 'unclosed door' clause with a 200-yuan fine and 1 demerit point. The more practical issue is the significant wind noise and over 1 extra liter of fuel consumption with an open trunk – my last long trip burned half a tank more. A temporary fix is using bungee cords to secure it, but I'll replace the latch as soon as I get home.

[VanEmilio]

A relative who has run an auto repair shop for over a decade says they receive several accident-damaged vehicles each month due to open trunks. One owner drove onto an elevated highway with their trunk open, causing the spare tire to fly out and smash the windshield of the following car—resulting in both compensation payments and a 3-point penalty for littering. Many newer car models now come with a trunk-open warning feature, but owners of older vehicles need to be more vigilant. I've developed a habit of pulling down on the trunk to confirm it's locked before leaving the car; a properly closed trunk should allow a finger to fit into the gap but not open it. In case of a latch malfunction, temporarily securing the upper and lower edges with tape can serve as an emergency fix.

[SanAlexis]

I remember last year at a car club event, a buddy forgot to close his trunk after installing air suspension, and got pulled over by traffic police just 10 meters down the road. The officer said modified cars attract more attention, and driving with an open trunk at minimum qualifies as illegal parking. The real danger is nighttime driving—I once drove with an open trunk at night and the rearview mirror was completely blocked, plus the reversing camera became useless. My advice: always keep a roll of heavy-duty tape in your car. If you can't close the trunk, taping the latch can serve as a temporary fix.