How many points for a red light violation? Understand the consequences and how to avoid them

Crossing a red traffic light represents one of the most risky behaviors on the streets of major cities. Brazilian law not only penalizes those who commit this infraction financially but also imposes serious consequences on the driver’s record. For inattentive drivers, the repercussions go far beyond a simple bank notification.

Immediate consequences: how much does it cost and how many points are lost?

When someone commits the infraction of running a red light, the law classifies it as Very Serious, according to Article 208 of the CTB (Brazilian Traffic Code). The financial impact is immediate: the driver receives a fine of R$ 293.47, updated for 2026.

But the damage doesn’t stop there. Along with the fine, the offender loses 7 points on their CNH (National Driver’s License). This number of points is significant when considering that gradual accumulation jeopardizes the right to continue driving legally. With the increasingly strict point system, a single very serious infraction already poses a substantial risk to the status of a regular driver.

Why is this penalty so severe?

The reason why red light fine points represent one of the worst combinations of penalties lies in the potential danger of the conduct. Running a red traffic light drastically increases the risk of T-bone collisions at busy intersections, especially during peak hours. Resulting accidents are often serious and involve multiple vehicles, as well as pedestrians on crosswalks.

For this reason, the CTB established this more severe classification, aiming to discourage behaviors that put lives at risk. The combination of a high fine and many points on the CNH acts as a double brake system against negligent behavior.

Situations where the rule does not fully apply

Although mandatory stopping is the norm, legislation provides specific contexts where the prohibition is not absolute or where the driver may be exempt from penalties. It is important to distinguish these exceptions to avoid unjust fines:

Right turn: In many places, the traffic light allows a right turn even with the red light, provided there is specific signage indicating this possibility. The driver must carefully observe informational signs before any maneuver.

Emergency passage: Rescue vehicles, ambulances, and police cars with sirens and emergency lights activated are authorized to run red lights. In such cases, other drivers must facilitate passage.

Special municipal situations: Some municipalities establish specific hours and conditions where passage is permitted, usually during low-traffic early mornings.

Clearing the intersection: If the driver has already started crossing before the light turned red and remains stopped on the crosswalk trying to clear the intersection, this is not considered an improper advance.

Comparative table: how the red light infraction ranks

To better understand the severity of this penalty, it’s useful to compare it with other categories of infractions:

This table clearly shows that the red light fine points correspond to the highest level of severity in the current penalty system.

Detection technology: how do speed cameras work

Electronic enforcement systems, popularly known as “pardais” or based on inductive loops, are calibrated to record the exact moment a vehicle crosses the stop line after the traffic light turns red. These devices have a small tolerance interval between the yellow-to-red transition and sensor activation.

Many of these systems also capture additional information, such as excessive speed at the intersection and improper stay on the crosswalk. Therefore, even if the driver manages to pass without triggering the advance radar, they may still be recorded for speeding violation.

The safest strategy is to reduce speed when approaching the traffic light and prepare for a smooth, preventive stop. This way, you avoid any possibility of notification from the Detran state authority.

Checking fines and regularizing the situation

To verify if your vehicle has pending or open violations, it is essential to access official consultation channels. The Electronic Notification System allows drivers to identify infractions and often obtain significant discounts when paying in advance.

The portal of the National Traffic Department centralizes information about the driver’s record as well as the vehicle’s. Regularizing your status in this system ensures that the vehicle does not face restrictions on circulation or transfer of ownership nationwide. Staying up to date with Contran obligations also facilitates future administrative processes and prevents unexpected blockages.

Staying informed about these legal issues is fundamental for any responsible driver who wishes to preserve their rights to circulate and their financial health in the long term.