Photo: A. Tsirekas, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Most Australian learners and P platers lose their licence at 4 demerit points. Victoria and the NT allow 5 points in 12 months, NSW P2 drivers get 7, and WA drivers in their second year on Ps get 8. Full licence holders get 12 or 13. What happens next differs: some states suspend you, SA disqualifies you for 6 months, and Queensland and Victoria let you choose a good behaviour period. This checklist compares the limits and the consequences across all eight states and territories as of November 2026.
Key facts
- One offence can be enough. A single speeding offence on NSW Ls or P1, or a phone offence in most states, can reach the limit.
- Points from offences anywhere in Australia count against your licence at home, under the national demerit points exchange.
- Double demerit periods in NSW, the ACT and WA at holiday times, and Queensland’s doubling for repeat offences, can put a novice over the limit with one offence.
- A suspension usually stretches your time on Ls or Ps. In some states a cancellation restarts it.
Demerit point limits by state
| State | Learner | P1 | P2 | Full licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 4 | 4 | 7 | 13 |
| VIC | 5 or more in any 12 months, or 12 or more in any 3 years | 12 in 3 years | ||
| QLD | 4 or more in any 1 year | 12 in 3 years | ||
| WA | 4 in total | 4 in total (first year on Ps) | 8 in total by the end of year 2 | 12 in 3 years |
| SA | 4 or more | 12 in 3 years | ||
| TAS | 4 or more in 12 months | 12 in 3 years | ||
| ACT | 4 or more in 3 years | 12 in 3 years (check with Access Canberra) | ||
| NT | 5 or more in 12 months, or 12 in 3 years | 5 or more in 12 months, or 12 in 3 years (one P stage) | Check with MVR | |
WA limits are running totals. Points from your Ls still count in your first year on Ps, and the 8-point limit in year 2 includes everything before it.
What happens when you reach the limit
| State | Outcome for L and P drivers |
|---|---|
| NSW | 3-month suspension. P1 time is extended by the suspension; P2 time by the suspension plus 6 months |
| VIC | Choose: suspension of 3 months plus 1 month for every 4 points over, or a 12-month extended demerit point period. Any new points offence in that period doubles the suspension |
| QLD | Learners: automatic 3-month suspension. P1 and P2: choose a 3-month suspension or a 1-year good driving behaviour period, where 2 more points means double the suspension |
| WA | Disqualification for at least 3 months. P plate licences are cancelled and you must reapply, which may mean a new theory test and PDA. No good behaviour option for novices |
| SA | Disqualification, normally 6 months. Learners must sit it out. P drivers may be able to choose a Safer Driver Agreement or appeal |
| TAS | Suspension of 3 months (4 to 15 points), 4 months (16 to 19) or 5 months (20 or more). No good behaviour option for L and P drivers |
| ACT | 3-month suspension |
| NT | Licence suspended |
Offences that can take you straight to the limit
- NSW: any speeding offence on Ls or P1 (at least 4 points). An illegal phone offence is 5 points, 10 in a double demerit period.
- QLD: speeding more than 20 km/h over (4 points), a phone offence by a learner or P1 driver under 25 (4), learner driving unsupervised (4), a seatbelt offence (4).
- VIC: a phone offence is 4 points, so one more 1-point offence in 12 months reaches 5.
- ACT: a phone offence involving messaging, social media or apps is 4 points.
- WA: in a double demerit period, any offence worth 2 or more points reaches the first-year limit of 4.
Some L and P rules cost you your licence without any points at all. In SA, breaking a P condition, such as any alcohol or speeding by 10 km/h or more, means disqualification. In Tasmania, some P1 offences restart your 12-month P1 period. See losing your licence in SA and Tasmanian demerit points.
Worked example: a phone offence, then a small speeding offence
A P plater is caught touching a phone, and later in the same year drives a few km/h over the limit.
| State | Result |
|---|---|
| VIC | Phone 4 points plus a 1-point speeding offence: 5 points in 12 months. Choose a suspension or a 12-month extended period |
| NSW P1 | The phone offence alone (5 points) is over the limit of 4: suspended |
| NSW P2 | Phone 5 points plus at least 4 for any speeding offence: over the limit of 7, suspended |
Points per offence differ by state. Check your state’s figures.
Checking your points
- Queensland: the free “Check my demerit points” service on qld.gov.au.
- Tasmania: call Service Tasmania on 1300 13 55 13. The total only shows recorded points, not unpaid fines or matters still in court.
- Other states: check through your transport department’s online account or phone line.
Common questions
How many demerit points can P platers have?
4 in most states. Victoria and the NT allow 5 in 12 months, NSW P2 drivers 7, and WA drivers in their second year on Ps 8 in total.
Do learner points carry over to my Ps?
In WA, yes: the limits are running totals from your learner’s permit. Elsewhere, points count over the state’s period (for example 12 months, 1 year or 3 years), whatever stage you were on when you got them.
Do interstate offences count?
Yes. Under the national demerit points exchange, points incurred interstate accumulate against your licence in your home state or territory.
Can P platers choose a good behaviour period?
In Queensland and Victoria, yes. In NSW, WA and Tasmania, novices serve the suspension. In SA, P drivers may be offered a Safer Driver Agreement.
What happens to my P period if I am suspended?
Usually it is extended by the suspension. NSW P2 drivers also get an extra 6 months. Cancellation, as in WA, can mean reapplying and retesting.
How long do points last?
It varies: 12 months in Tasmania for novices, 1 year in Queensland, 3 years in NSW and the ACT. Victoria keeps points on record for four years.
State guides
- NSW demerit points for learners and P platers
- Victoria demerit points and penalties
- Queensland demerit points and licence sanctions
- WA novice demerit points
- ACT learner and P plate rules
- NT P plate rules
- Double demerit points in Australia
- P plate rules in every Australian state compared
Sources
- Transport for NSW, “Road User Handbook” and “Demerit points” (nsw.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Planning, “Demerit points” and VicRoads, “Rules for P drivers” (transport.vic.gov.au, vicroads.vic.gov.au)
- Queensland Government, “Demerit points for learner and provisional licence holders” (qld.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Demerit points for novice drivers” and “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)
- Government of South Australia, “The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026)” and “Losing your licence” (mylicence.sa.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “Demerit points” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Access Canberra, “Demerit points and suspensions” and “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
- Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, learner and provisional licences (nt.gov.au)