NSW makes demerit-point return scheme permanent
Motorists rewarded with demerit point deletion in return for good behaviourThe News
Following three years of trials, the New South Wales government is to make its demerit-point return scheme permanent when it returns to parliament in February 2026. NSW motorists who hold a full unconditional licence will qualify for a demerit point to be removed from their licence every 12 months if they remain offence-free.
The Key Details
- Motorists will have a demerit point deleted for every 12 months of good behaviour
- Program is designed to incentivise safer driving
- More than 1.7m drivers have had points returned during the trial
The Finer Details
To encourage safer driving behaviour, the NSW government is set to make a scheme that returns a demerit point to motorists who remain offence-free for 12 months permanent.
An initial trial held between 17 January 2023 and 16 January 2024 was followed by two further 12-month trials, with the final trial set to expire on 31 January 2026.
So far more than 1.7 million motorists have qualified to have a point returned, and a further million will qualify by the end of the current trial period.
All motorists start with zero demerits with offences accumulating points; traditionally, the points remain until three years from the date of the offence.
NSW is unique in allowing motorists to accumulate 13 points (14 for professional drivers) over a 40-month period, rather than the national 12 points in three years.
Only drivers with a full unrestricted driver’s licence will be eligible for the return of demerit points, with Learner and Provisional P1 and P2 licence holders subject to the conditions of the graduated licensing scheme.
NSW roads minister Jenny Aitchison told the ABC that programs like this should “recognise and reinforce safe, responsible behaviour.”
“Especially where people have made mistakes in the past but have improved their road safety behaviour on the road over the past year,” she said.
The Road Ahead
The bill will be submitted to parliament when it returns in February, with minister Aitchison confident of bipartisan support.
“We’ve been very collaborative in working with the opposition on road safety, it’s something we don’t want to see politicised.”
“We’re very hopeful they’ll back this common sense approach,” Aitchison said.
The NSW road toll for Jan-Nov 2025 stands at 328, an 11.6 per cent increase over the same period in 2024.
Australia’s road toll in total for the first 11 months of the year is 1214, a 3.4 per cent increase over 2024.
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