Tens of thousands of Australians are expected to hit the road over the Christmas holidays, bringing increased risk and the prospect of double demerits in some regions.
New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory are the only jurisdictions to enforce double demerit points during certain periods, while Queensland does so year-round for certain driving offences.
In NSW and the ACT, double demerit points will apply from Friday, December 20, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. to Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Western Australia will begin the enforcement period at the same time, but will end on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
Double demerit points only apply to motorists from these three jurisdictions, regardless of where they drive.
There are hundreds of new car deals available through AutoExpert now. Get the experts on your side and score a good deal. Browse now.
For example, if you are traveling through New South Wales on a Victorian driver’s license and are fined, the penalty point will be based on Victoria’s road traffic laws.
On the other hand, if you are driving in Victoria (where double demerit points do not apply) with a New South Wales driver’s license and are fined, double demerit points will apply.
| State or territory | Double points? |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | YES |
| Victoria | NO |
| Queensland | YES* |
| Western Australia | YES |
| South Australia | NO |
| Tasmania | NO |
| Australian Capital Territory | YES |
| Northern Territory | NO |
To which offenses do double demerit points apply?
New South Wales: In Australia’s most populous state, double demerit points are imposed if drivers are caught speeding, illegally using their mobile phone, not wearing a seat belt in a car or riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Australian Capital Territory: As in NSW, motorists in the nation’s capital are being hit with double demerit points for being caught speeding, using their mobile phone illegally, not wearing a seat belt in a car or riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
The ACT also awards one extra penalty point for all other traffic violations.
Western Australia: In Western Australia, double demerit points apply for speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seat belt or child seat and illegal use of a mobile phone while driving.
In addition, 14 points may be awarded for driving a vehicle with a radar detector or for driving in a manner that avoids detection by a speed camera.
Queensland: While there are no holiday-specific double demerits in Queensland, the Sunshine State applies tougher penalties to certain driving offenses every day of the year.
These include driving more than 20 km/h over the speed limit, cell phone violations, driver seat belt violations, motorcycle helmet violations and failure to ensure passengers under 16 are properly secured .
The double demerit points will only be applied to motorists who commit the same type of offense within twelve months of their first offence, with the second offense carrying twice as many points.
Everywhere else: Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory not have duplicate points during holiday periods or at any time during the year.
