DKT- Demerit points are recorded against your licence or learner permit.
- They count for offences committed anywhere in Australia.
- The number of points depends on how serious the offence is.
- Learner and probationary drivers have a tight limit: 5 points in 12 months.
How the points are recorded
You get demerit points when you commit certain traffic offences. Not every offence carries points, and the more serious the offence, the more points it costs. You will also see this in other pages: the handbook says drivers who are fined for unrestrained passengers or speeding also lose demerit points (see phone and seatbelt offences and speed limits). A full list of offences and their points is on the VicRoads website.
The limits for learners and probationary drivers
| If you collect | What can happen |
|---|---|
| 5 or more points in any 12-month period | Your licence may be suspended for 3 months or more |
| 12 or more points in any 3-year period | Your licence may be suspended for 3 months or more |
Probationary drivers have a stricter limit than other drivers. To move from P1 to P2 you must have fewer than five demerit points in twelve months.
The 12-month extended demerit option
Instead of serving the suspension, you can choose an extended demerit point period of twelve months. If you do and your licence is not suspended, there is a catch: any further demerit points in that time lead to a suspension of at least 6 months. The handbook describes this as a chance to learn from mistakes, while making licence loss real for people who keep offending.
Keep your record clean
- Remember a suspension extends your probationary period.
- A cancellation restarts it, however close you were to finishing.
- The simple rules are in demerit points and suspension, and what suspension means is in suspension, cancellation and disqualification.
Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.
Quick answers
How many demerit points can a P plater get in Victoria?
Fewer than five in any 12 months. Five or more in 12 months, or twelve or more in 3 years, may lead to a suspension of 3 months or more.
Do interstate offences count for demerit points in Victoria?
Yes. Demerit points are recorded for certain traffic offences committed anywhere in Australia.
What is the 12-month extended demerit period?
It is an option to avoid a suspension by accepting a longer demerit period. If you pick it, any further points lead to a suspension of at least 6 months.