Chinese Driver's License Validity and the 12-Point Penalty System
Two systems decide how long you can keep driving in China without trouble: the license validity period and the penalty-point system. This guide explains both.
How long a license is valid
| Stage | Validity |
|---|---|
| First license | 6 years |
| Replacement, if no scoring cycle in those 6 years reached 12 points | 10 years |
| Replacement, if no scoring cycle in the 10 years reached 12 points | Long-term (no fixed expiry date) |
When you renew, the traffic police also review (“verify”) your license. You must apply to renew within the 90 days before the license expires. Details are in renewing a Chinese driver’s license.
If you miss the renewal date
- A license that has been expired for more than one year without renewal is cancelled.
- If it was cancelled for this reason and less than two years have passed since the cancellation, you can regain driving qualification by passing the Subject 1 written test.
- You may not drive on an expired license. Driving while the license is expired, lost, damaged or lawfully held is prohibited.
How penalty points work
Besides fines and other penalties, the traffic police record points for traffic violations. The Ministry of Public Security sets how many points each violation carries.
- The scoring cycle is 12 months, and the full score is 12 points.
- If you reach 12 points in one cycle, the traffic police hold your license. You must complete the required study of traffic laws and pass the test. If you pass, the points are cleared and the license is returned. If you fail, you continue studying and testing.
- If you stay under 12 points and your fines are paid, the points are cleared at the end of the cycle. If fines remain unpaid, the points carry over to the next cycle.
- If you reach 12 points two or more times in a cycle, you must also take a driving skills exam on the highest class on your license.
- If you refuse to attend the study or take the test, the traffic police can announce your license as no longer valid.
The police must give drivers a way to check their points. Chinese drivers use the Traffic Management 12123 app for this; see the 12123 app guide.
Why points also matter when you apply for more
- To add a driving class to your license, you must not have reached 12 points in the current cycle or the previous one.
- Applying for a medium bus, heavy trailer or large bus license adds further requirements on points over the last two or three cycles.
- A temporary driving permit holder who reaches 12 points without completing the study cannot reapply for a permit.
When you may not drive
You may not drive a motor vehicle when:
- your license has been lost or damaged,
- it has passed its expiry date,
- it is lawfully seized, held or suspended,
- you have reached 12 points (until you complete the study and test and the license is returned), or
- your physical condition no longer meets the standard for the class on your license.
You must also drive only the vehicle class stated on your license and keep it with you while you drive.
Probationary period
New drivers get a 12-month probation period with extra rules, including a special rule about expressways. See probationary driver rules.
Practice
Check yourself with the “Licensing and penalties” topic in the mock exam.
Sources
- Provisions on the Application for and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses (机动车驾驶证申领和使用规定), Articles 13, 62, 71, 72, 79, 80
- Regulation on the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law (道路交通安全法实施条例), Articles 23-28
- Road Traffic Safety Law of the PRC, English translation (Supreme People's Court English site), provisions on drivers