Point system (driving)

When a driver reaches or exceeds the prescribed point threshold, their license is typically revoked or suspended for a defined period or until specific conditions are met.

The primary purpose of these point systems is to identify, penalize, and deter repeat traffic offenders while streamlining the legal process.

Major traffic offenses, such as hit and run or drunk driving may or may not be handled within the point system.

[citation needed] Demerit points schemes have been adopted by all states and territories, and road authorities share information about interstate offenses.

Most states also provide for immediate suspension of a licence, instead of or in addition to demerit points, in certain extreme circumstances.

These include offences for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other drugs, or for greatly excessive speed.

During holiday periods, double demerit points apply for speeding, seat-belt and helmet-related offences.

The New South Wales Government has established a task-force to investigate and prevent the illegal sale of demerit points on Facebook Marketplace.

Learner and probationary drivers who accumulate 5 points or more in a 12-month period may accept a three-month licence suspension or may opt for a 12-month bond.

Since 30 April 2018,[5] all drink driving convictions will result in licence suspension and re-licensing requires installation an interlocking device onto the vehicle (this also applies to non-BAC related offences, such as failure to provide a specimen for analysis).

[9] Unlike some other states, double demerit point periods (around public holidays, or year round in Qld), do not apply in Victoria.

If a driver accumulates: Demerit points are incurred whether the offence is committed in South Australia or interstate.

Offences that accrue points include speeding, failing to obey a red traffic light or level crossing signal, failing to wear a seat-belt, drunk driving, using a mobile phone, failure to display L or P plates, street racing, burnouts and causing damage.

[citation needed] A driver who exceeds their point threshold may choose between a license suspension for a period of 3 months, or to enter into a 12-month good driving behavior bond.

If a driver incurs more than one point while subject to a good driving behavior bond, their license is suspended for a period of 6 months.

Any lost points caused by the infraction may be recovered after six months of good driving conduct, but stops at the cap.

[23] The most serious offences are outside the penalty point system and incur automatic driving bans, and in some cases imprisonment.

12 points on the license within 3 years make the driver liable to disqualification; however this is not automatic, but must be decided by a law court.

In the case of egregious offences, the court may order the driver to pass an extended driving test before the license is returned, even beyond the 2-year probation period.

[28] Since 11 October 2004, there has been mutual recognition of driver disqualification arising from the penalty points given in England and Wales (and/or Scotland) with Northern Ireland; before that date, disqualification in England and Wales would only have extended to Scotland by virtue of the driver registration system covering only Great Britain.

[clarification needed] In Northern Ireland the driver registration system is separate from that of Great Britain with different laws covering penalty points and the offences to which they apply.

Offences to which points apply are indicated in Schedule 1 of the Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

If you (or any passengers under the age of 16) are caught not wearing a seatbelt in New Brunswick, you will be fined as well as lose 2 points from your license.

Regardless of the number of points accumulated, many serious offenses involving a vehicle are punishable by heavy fines or imprisonment.

Some motor vehicle offenses carry 12 points per incident, which could result in immediate suspension of the drivers license.

Multiple traffic violation convictions can also result in a suspension of the drivers license if a sufficient number of points are accumulated during a 12- or 24-month period.

Any driver under the age of 18 who accumulates six or more points within a 12-month period is automatically restricted for one year to driving for business purposes only.

Violations range from 2 to 5 points (possibly with a mandatory departmental hearing), depending on the severity of the offense.

However, some infractions incur in immediate license suspension regardless of current point tally, such as drunk driving, engaging in street racing and others.

Drivers holding a permit for over a year may have their driving license suspended if they receive more than 10 points within a three-year period.