Demerit Points
Licence holders who accrue more than their allowed demerit points over a three year period are subject to a period of licence suspension.
The more demerit points that are accumulated during the three years, the longer the period of suspension that is applied.
| Number of demerit points in 3 years | Length of licence suspension |
|---|---|
| 12-15 | 3 months |
| 16-19 | 4 months |
|
20 or more |
5 months |
As an alternative to licence suspension holders of full licences have the option of a 12 month good behaviour period. However, the length of the original suspension will be doubled if two or more demerit points are incurred during the good behaviour period.
To deter reckless driving behaviour by motorists who know their licences are about to be suspended any demerit points incurred during the time between notification of a licence suspension and the start of the suspension period will remain on the licence holder's record for three years.
| Offence | Penalty Points |
|---|---|
| Exceeding the speed limit by 45 km/h or more | 6 points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 30 km/h or more, but less than 45 km/h | 4 points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 15 km/h or more, but less than 30 km/h | 3 points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by less than 15 km/h | 1 point |
| Using a handheld mobile phone while driving | 3 points |
| Disobeying a traffic signal | 3 points |
| Disobeying major regulatory traffic control sign or Police directing traffic | 3 points |
| Failing to give way | 3 points |
| Failing to stop and/or give way at pedestrian, school or level crossing | 3 points |
| Driving with unrestrained passengers under legal age including children and infants | 3 points |
| Driving on wrong side of double lines or divided highway | 3 points |
| Driving without seat belt | 3 points |
| Motorcyclists not wearing a helmet | 3 points |
| Careless/negligent driving | 3 points |
| Improper overtaking and passing | 2 points |
| Turning or stopping without signalling | 2 points |
| Turning improperly | 2 points |
| Failing to keep left | 2 points |
| Failure to dip headlamps | 1 point |
| Following too closely | 1 point |
| Driving at night without headlamps on | 1 point |
