Demerit points, fines and licence suspension in Queensland

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the demerit point limits for learner, provisional and open licences.
• You can explain what happens when a learner reaches the limit compared with a P plater.
• You can explain how Queensland's year-round double demerits work.
• You can describe what a good driving behaviour period is and its risks.
• You can check your demerit point balance.

What you need to know and understand

• Learner and provisional (P1, P2) limit: 4 or more points within any 1 year period.
• Open licence limit: 12 or more points within a 3 year period, with a possible warning letter at 7 points.
• Learners who reach the limit are suspended for 3 months; there is no good behaviour option.
• Provisional drivers who reach the limit choose a 3 month suspension or a 1 year good driving behaviour period.
• During a good driving behaviour period, 2 or more points means a 6 month suspension for a provisional driver.
• Points do not reset when you move from learner to provisional to open.
• Double demerits apply to repeat offences within 12 months for speeding more than 20 km/h over, phone use, driver seatbelt, failing to make sure passengers under 16 are restrained, and motorcycle helmet offences.
• Under 25s on provisional licences who are sanctioned also get a 1 year late night driving restriction (no driving 11pm to 5am).

How points get on your record

Points apply from the date of the offence and are recorded once the fine is paid or referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER), a court convicts you, or an order is made for an offence interstate. Offences anywhere in Australia can be recorded as if they happened in Queensland.

Fines are set by law and are indexed each year. As at 1 July 2026, using a phone illegally or not wearing a seatbelt was $1,295 and 4 points, and failing to display L or P plates was $276 and 2 points.

Reaching the limit: learner versus P plates

If you were a learner when you committed the offences, you still serve the 3 month suspension even if you have since moved to P plates.

1. Learner: you receive a notice and your licence is suspended for 3 months. You may choose an earlier start date but not a later one.
2. Provisional: you receive a notice to choose. Pick either a 3 month suspension or a 1 year good driving behaviour period by the choice date. If you do nothing, a 3 month suspension starts automatically.
3. If you are under 25 when you offend, a late night driving restriction also applies for 1 year.
4. Driving while suspended is unlicensed driving and goes to court, with possible disqualification and a large fine.

Year-round double demerits in action

Say a learner is caught not wearing a seatbelt: that is 4 points and a 3 month suspension. If, within a year, they then fail to make sure a passenger under 16 is restrained (the same offence group), they get 4 points plus another 4, so 8 points and a further suspension. You can check your balance and traffic history online with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Our deeper guide, Queensland demerit points for learners and P platers, includes more examples.

Common mistakes

• Thinking double demerits only apply at Easter or Christmas. In Queensland they apply all year for repeat offences in the listed groups.
• Believing points disappear when you get your Ps. They stay on your record and still count.
• Ignoring the notice to choose. If you miss the choice date, a suspension starts automatically.
• Choosing a good behaviour period and then getting even a minor 2 point offence. That doubles the suspension to 6 months.

Test yourself: Demerit points, fines and licence suspension in Queensland

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Queensland Demerit Points for Learners and P Platers
• Learning to Drive in Queensland
• Moving to Queensland