Demerit points, fines and licence suspension in Victoria

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the demerit point limit for your licence type.
• You can explain the two choices you get when you reach the limit.
• You can work out the length of a demerit point suspension.
• You can list common offences and the points they carry.
• You can say who manages fines and how to nominate another driver.

What you need to know and understand

• Learner permit holders, P1 and P2 drivers, and overseas licence holders under 22 can have 5 points in any 12 months or 12 points in any 3 years.
• Most other drivers, including full licence holders, have a limit of 12 points in any 3 years.
• Points are recorded from the date of the offence, and offences committed anywhere in Australia count.
• When you reach the limit, you choose a licence suspension or a 12-month extended demerit point period.
• A demerit suspension is 3 months, plus 1 extra month for every 4 points over the limit.
• If you are suspended on Ps, your probationary period is extended.
• Most fines are managed by Fines Victoria, not VicRoads.
• Transport Victoria's demerit guidance describes no holiday double-demerit scheme, so do not assume rules you hear about for other states apply here.

Common offences and their points

Some offences, like serious speeding or drink driving, bring an immediate suspension or cancellation as well.

• 4 points: illegal use of a phone or other device, touching a portable device, and level crossing offences.
• 3 points: speeding by 10 km/h to under 25 km/h, disobeying lights or signs, failing to give way or stop, not wearing a seatbelt or carrying an unrestrained passenger, careless driving, not displaying P plates, driving a probationary prohibited vehicle, and a P1 driver carrying more than one peer passenger.
• 2 points: improper overtaking, turning or stopping without signalling, turning improperly, failing to keep left.
• 1 point: speeding by less than 10 km/h, following too closely, failing to dip headlights, driving at night or in bad weather without lights.

Reaching your limit: your two choices

VicRoads writes to you when you reach or pass your limit. You then pick one option before the due date:

• Example: a P2 driver with 9 points in 12 months is 4 over the 5-point limit, so a suspension would last 4 months, and their P2 period would finish 4 months later.

1. Accept a suspension: 3 months, plus 1 month for every 4 points over the limit. Return your card within 14 days of the suspension starting.
2. Choose a 12-month extended demerit point period: you keep driving, but any further offence with demerit points, or that suspends or cancels your licence, means the suspension applies and is doubled.

Fines, nominations and appeals

VicRoads records points but does not issue driving fines. Fines Victoria manages most fines and handles disputes, reviews and payment plans. If you got a fine but someone else was driving, contact Fines Victoria to nominate them as soon as you receive it, and do not pay it first.

You can only appeal demerit points to the Magistrates' Court if there was a clerical or calculation error in how they were recorded. Driving while suspended can lead to fines, prison and your car being impounded, and may void your insurance. Our guide to Victoria demerit points, penalties and legal responsibilities has more detail.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a 1-point fine does not matter. On Ls or Ps, five small offences in a year means suspension.
• Choosing the extension and then getting a minor speeding fine. The suspension is then doubled.
• Paying a fine for someone else's driving instead of nominating the real driver.
• Forgetting that interstate offences count on your Victorian record.

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

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

Go deeper

• Victoria Demerit Points for P Plates
• Learning to Drive in Victoria
• Moving to Victoria