Do Demerit Points Reset In NSW
Wondering how demerit point offences work in NSW, and if your demerit points will ever reset? Demerits are issued for traffic offences and other infringements of road rules, and even if you don’t currently have any points on your licence, you may still wonder what would happen if you got a driving offence.
In this blog from LTrent Driving School, we’ll discuss the basics of demerit point offences, whether or not demerit points reset in NSW, how many points you need for a demerit point suspension, and more. Let’s get started.
Demerit Points Last For A 3-Year Period From The Date Of The Offence
Once you’ve received a traffic infringement notice for your offence, you’ll have demerit points added to your licence. These points will only disappear 3 years after the date of your offence. Once the points are recorded, there is no other way to reset or remove them.
For example, if you received 4 demerit points for speeding 3 years ago, and you also got 3 demerits for failing to give way at a roundabout 2 years ago, you would still have 3 points after 3 years elapses and your speeding infraction is removed.
Demerit Point Limits By Driver Licence Type In NSW
To help promote road safety, different types of licence holder have different limits
- L licence – As a learner driver, you can only get up to 4 demerit points before you are penalised.
- Provisional P1 licence – Like a learner licence driver, a P1 licence holder can only get up to 4 demerit points.
- Provisional P2 licence – If you have a P2 licence, you can get up to 7 demerit points.
- Unrestricted licence – If you have a full licence, you can get up to 13 demerit points.
- Professional drivers – Professional drivers can get up to 14 demerit points.
What Happens If I Exceed The Maximum Demerit Points?
The penalties for exceeding demerit limits also vary, depending on your licence type. If you are a L, P1, or P2 driver and you exceed your limit for a number of demerit points, you will get a 3-month suspension of your licence. P2 drivers will also be subject to an additional 6-month driving period before they can get an unrestricted driver’s licence.
If you have an unrestricted licence, the suspension period depends on the number of points you have:
- 13 to 15 points will result in a 3-month suspension
- 16 to 19 points will result in a 4-month suspension
- 20 or more points will result in a 5-month suspension
If you repeatedly violate the law and exceed demerit point limits, or you receive demerit points during a 12-month “good behaviour” period, you may be denied a licence from the NSW government, and be subjected to further fines and penalties.
Avoid Demerit Points In NSW – Follow Road Rules & Drive Safely!
Want to make sure you avoid demerit points as a learner driver? Demerit point limits are very low for learners – and you could have your licence suspended for even a single speeding violation.
The best way to avoid demerit points is to learn how to drive safely, and to familiarise yourself with all NSW road rules. And at LTrent Driving School, we can provide you with comprehensive driving instruction that will ensure your safety on the roads – and help you avoid demerits. LTrent also provides the Safer Drivers Course for learners to gain the right skills and stay safe on the road. Contact us now to learn more about what we do, and get started.
Call 02 8748 4500 or book your lessons online.