How Long Does It Take To Get The Demerit Points Back in 2025?
The Demerit Points Check scheme in Sydney and Parramatta is administered by NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). This scheme is designed to encourage safe and responsible driving via a point system accompanying financial penalties.
So, how do demerit points work? — It’s simple. You will have zero demerit points if you haven’t committed any offence. If you commit a driving offence that holds demerit points, the points will get added to your driving record.
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Times When the Chances of Getting Demerit Points
Increase
Demerit points can be incurred at any time of the year, but there are specific periods when the likelihood significantly increases:
1. Holiday Seasons and Long Weekends
During Christmas, New Year, Easter, and other public holidays, NSW Police typically ramp up traffic enforcement. Double demerit periods are also often in effect, meaning a single offence can result in twice the usual demerit points. This applies to speeding, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences. Learn more about how demerit points apply during the holiday season
2. School Zones and Peak Traffic Hours
Speeding through school zones during drop-off and pick-up hours (typically 8–9:30 AM and 2:30–4 PM) is one of the most common causes of demerit point accumulation. Enforcement is strict in these areas for the safety of children.
3. Major Sporting or Festival Events
Large-scale public events lead to increased traffic volume and more road policing. Random breath testing (RBT), drug testing, and mobile phone detection cameras are more actively used during these times.
4. End-of-Month or End-of-Quarter Periods
Though not officially confirmed by authorities, anecdotal evidence suggests traffic enforcement activity may increase toward the end of reporting periods.
Licence suspension or refusal
Your licence type determines your Demerit Point Limit. When you reach or surpass your point limit, Transport for NSW can suspend your licence or decline to renew it. If that happens, you will receive a Notice of Suspension or Refusal. Demerit points last for 3 years, commencing from the date of the offence.
The Demerit Points Check shows your 3-year active demerit points plus 4 months. The additional 4 months allow time for offences or delayed appeal proceedings within 3 years to be added to your driving record. Your licence may also get suspended if you commit an excessive speed offence.
How Many Demerit Points Does One Accrue Before Being Suspended From Driving?
The law says that a driver will have their licence suspended if they accrue a specific number of demerit points within a 3-year period.
The number of points according to each licence type are as follows:
- Unrestricted licence: 13 points
- Professional drivers: 14 points
- Provisional P1 licence: 4 points
- Provisional P2 licence: 7 points
- Learner licence: 4 points
- Unrestricted licence with a good behaviour period: 2 points within the term of this period.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the following official sources:
Suspension periods
For unrestricted licence bearers, the period of suspension depends on the number of points you gather:
- 13 to 15 points: 3-month suspension
- 16 to 19 points: 4-month suspension
- 20 or more points: 5-month suspension
For learner and P1 and P2 licence holders, the suspension period is 3 months.
Refusal of a licence
Transport for Sydney and Parramatta may refuse to renew your licence if you have surpassed your demerit point threshold or committed a severe speeding offence. The period when a licence may get denied is the same as applying for a licence suspension. The government will issue you a Notice of Refusal in this situation.
A refusal notice is only given when you attend a service centre and apply for a licence or licence renewal.
Penalties for repeatedly exceeding demerit point limit
From 1st February 2015, increased penalties apply to drivers who continually surpass their demerit point limit.
Unrestricted licence holders
Unrestricted licence bearers who exceed their demerit points more than once within 5 years must complete the below mentioned things before they are licensed to drive their vehicles again:
- Pass the Driver Knowledge Test
- Finish a driver education course, such as the Traffic Offender Intervention Program, at their own cost. The driver education course must be completed by one of the approved providers in Sydney:
- PCYC
- Road Sense
- Blacktown Traffic Offender Program
- SAVE Traffic Offender Intervention Program
- TORP: Traffic Offenders Rehabilitation Program
- ASPIRE Traffic Offender Course
Provisional P2 licence holders
From 20th November 2017, modifications to the Graduated Licence Scheme mean that Provisional P2 drivers who are suspended for unsafe driving behaviour must remain on their P2 licence for an extra 6 months.
This will apply to every suspension they receive. For instance, suppose a P2 licence holder gets a demerit point suspension. In that case, they will be on their P2 licence for the standard 24 months and an additional 6 months before applying for an unrestricted licence.
Each individual suspension delays a P2 licence holder an extra 6 months from advancing to an unrestricted licence.
Repeated drink driving offences
Drivers sentenced to 2 drink driving offences in 5 years must pass the Driver Knowledge Test before being again licensed to drive.
How Long Will It Take To Get My Demerit Points Back in 2025?
The Act states, demerit points are subject to deletion 3 years post the date of the offence for which the points are accrued.
So, for instance, if 3 demerit points are accrued for a speeding offence by more than 10km/h but less than 20km/h, those demerit points are subject to deletion 3 years after the date of your refusal notice. However, the RMS may exercise discretion to add a reasonable period to allow for payments and potential appeals for administrative grounds.
According to the RMS page, this period may be an extra 4 months.
This Act also states that all demerit points are void upon the commencement of any driver licence suspension.
Can I elect to have a good behaviour licence?
Section 36 of the Act states that a full licence holder who has accrued or exceeded their demerit point limit may apply for a good behaviour licence, instead of being suspended from driving.
This licence lasts for 12 months.
If any driver accrues 2 or more demerit points while on a good behaviour licence, he or she will be suspended from driving as per the following table:
| Demerit Points | Original Suspension | Suspension for a breach on a good behaviour licence |
|---|---|---|
| 13 to 15 | 3 months | 6 months |
| 16 to 19 | 4 months | 8 months |
| 20 or more | 5 months | 10 months |
FAQs: How Platinum Lawyers Can Help You
1. How can Platinum Lawyers help me reduce or avoid demerit points?
Platinum Lawyers can represent you in court to challenge fines or argue for a reduction in demerit points based on your individual circumstances and driving record.
2. Can Platinum Lawyers help me apply for a good behaviour licence?
Yes. We guide you through the process of applying for a good behaviour licence, helping you avoid licence suspension while still staying legally on the road.
3. I received a Notice of Suspension — what should I do?
Contact Platinum Lawyers immediately. We can assess your situation, check for legal errors, and represent you in court to request a stay or appeal the suspension.
4. Can you help with double demerit penalties during holidays?
Absolutely. Our team is well-versed in holiday traffic law enforcement and can help you fight unjust fines or penalties incurred during double demerit periods.
5. What if I’ve already lost my licence — can you still help?
Yes. We can help apply for a licence reinstatement, appeal the suspension, or explore alternative legal options like hardship or work licences (where available).
6. Can Platinum Lawyers help with drink or drug driving offences?
Yes. We specialise in defending DUI and drug driving charges, negotiating penalties, and minimising licence disqualification periods where possible.
7. Do you help professional drivers or P-plate holders?
Definitely. Whether you’re a truck driver, rideshare operator, or P-plater, we understand how critical your licence is and tailor legal strategies to protect your livelihood.
8. What makes Platinum Lawyers different from other traffic law firms?
We offer experienced, local representation in Sydney and Parramatta, with a personalised, results-driven approach — and we’re available 24/7 for urgent matters.
9. Can you help me avoid a criminal record for traffic offences?
Yes. We work to keep your driving offence from escalating into a criminal record by negotiating with the prosecution or applying for a Section 10 (no conviction recorded). Learn more about Clearing Your Criminal Record.
10. What documents should I bring to my consultation?
Please bring your Notice of Suspension or Infringement, your driving record (RMS log), and any supporting materials like witness statements or evidence of good character.
11. Do I need to go to court, or can you appear for me?
In many cases, especially for minor traffic matters, we can appear on your behalf. We’ll advise you during the consultation whether your presence is required.
12. How much does it cost to get legal help from Platinum Lawyers?
We offer competitive, transparent pricing with fixed-fee options for most traffic law matters. Your first consultation is obligation-free — contact us today to discuss your case.
For more official information and to manage your demerit points effectively, we recommend visiting these trusted NSW government resources. They provide up-to-date details on demerit points, licence suspensions, and traffic enforcement to help you stay informed and in control of your driving record.
Official NSW Government Resources on Demerit Points
To check your current demerit points balance, visit the NSW Government Demerit Points page.
For detailed information about how demerit points are calculated and enforced, see the official Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) Demerit Points overview.
Check Your Demerit Points and Licence Status Online
You can easily access your driving record and licence status through the Service NSW online portal.
Learn More About Licence Suspensions and Refusals
Find out about licence suspensions, refusals, and how they work on the Transport for NSW Licence Suspension page.
Stay Informed on Double Demerit Periods and Traffic Enforcement
Keep up to date with double demerit periods and road safety campaigns on the NSW Road Safety Demerit Points page.
Visiting court for a traffic offence?
If you are required to go to court over a traffic offence, call Platinum Lawyers anytime on (02) 8084 2764 for expert advice and formidable representation by one of our experienced traffic lawyers.