1. How China's camera system works

Fixed cameras at intersections catch red-light running, solid-line changes and wrong-lane turns. Motorways use average-speed sections. Parking cameras catch kerb-side stops. Data enters the system 3-7 working days later. The plate belongs to our company, but the rental contract records who was driving, so we identify you.

2. The eight tickets foreigners actually get

Speeding: motorway 120 limit at 130 = 3 points, 200 CNY; national road 80 at 95 = 3 points, 150 CNY. Watch the sudden drop from 120 to 80 on Yunnan mountain roads.
Red light: 6 points, 200 CNY — do not jump the light.
Solid line change: 1 point, 100 CNY.
Wrong lane: 1 point, 100 CNY.
Illegal parking: 100-200 CNY, no points; emergency-lane stop = 6 points, 200 CNY.
No seatbelt: 1 point, 50 CNY — front passenger is also photographed.
Hand-held phone: 1 point, 50 CNY — a mount for navigation is fine.
No licence on you: forgetting the temporary permit = 1 point, 100 CNY. But driving without a permit at all = unlicensed, 200-2,000 CNY and up to 15 days detention.

3. How you are notified

  1. Camera records the offence on the plate;
  2. After you return the car, we check for new tickets for 5-7 working days;
  3. We message you on WeChat with the location, reason and fine amount;
  4. You confirm, we pay from the deposit, and refund the balance.

You do not queue at the traffic police station.

4. Points

A Chinese full licence has 12 points per year. Your temporary permit is also 12 points — accumulating 12 cancels it. In a 5-10 day trip you might lose 1-3 points, nowhere near 12.

5. Stopped by police in person

Indicate right, pull over, switch off, stay in the driver seat and wind the window down. Show passport, temporary permit and rental contract. Most officers do not speak English — video-call us and we translate. Do not bribe, do not argue, do not drive off. Minor offences get a ticket you sign; we pay it within 15 days.

6. If you leave China with an unpaid ticket

We deduct the fine from the deposit first. On your next entry, border control may flag you; serious unpaid cases can affect future visa applications. Do not assume "I am abroad now, it does not matter".

7. How to avoid tickets

Keep Amap open — it announces every camera. Obey the white-on-red speed signs: motorway 120, national road 80, city 60. Park in official lots (10-20 CNY/day) rather than on the kerb. Do not overtake across the single yellow line. Both front seats wear seatbelts.

8. Watch out for SMS scams

Chinese traffic authorities do not text foreign drivers. If you receive "you have a ticket, click this link", it is phishing. We are the only channel.

Questions: WeChat qxzj7557 (WhatsApp +86 137-5915-5671).