“How long do you lose your licence for?” You might want to know when you’re going to get your driving licence back after losing it due to suspension because of a traffic violation. NSW Police may suspend your licence if they catch you:
- In a serious accident causing death or grievous bodily harm
- Speeding in excess of 45km/h over the speed limit (full licence holders)
- Speeding in excess of 30km/h over the speed limit (learner or provisional licence holders)
- Driving with a prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA) or under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs
- Taking part in street racing and other hoon offences
- Driving without supervision (learner licence holders).
However, if a speeding camera catches your vehicle speeding, the police cannot suspend your licence. You will receive a Notice of Suspension later from Transport for NSW.
This article will answer the question, “how long do you lose your licence for?” by stating the specific traffic violations and their respective suspension demerit point period.
How Long Do You Lose Your Licence For: Suspension Periods
When NSW Police catches you for violating some traffic regulations or incurring too many demerit points, they can suspend your licence immediately. Here’s how long you’re going to lose your licence for the specific violations that you might commit:
Offence | How Long Do You Lose Your License For?(Suspension Period) |
Serious driving offence causing death or grievous bodily harm | Until your case is heard in court |
Speeding in excess of 45km/h over the speed limit (full licence holders) | 6 months |
Speeding in excess of 30km/h (learner or provisional licence holders) | 3 months |
Low-range driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) | 3 months |
Mid-range and high-range driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and driving with a prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA) | Until your case is heard in court |
Street racing, aggravated burnout and other hooning offences | Until your case is heard in court |
Learner driver licence holders driving without supervision | 3 months |
Obviously, if you are a full licence holder, the suspension period is longer than those of learner and provisional holders.
Also, if you commit an offence causing death or grievous bodily harm or an DUI offence, the suspension period is indefinite. This is because the court still needs to decide on the basis of the circumstances and pieces of evidence that need to be presented during the hearing.
Dangerous Driving and DUI Offences
Dangerous driving and driving under the influence (DUI) offences are punishable under the Crimes Act NSW:
- Dangerous driving occasioning death or grievous bodily harm – this is committed when the vehicle driven by the person is involved in an impact occasioning the death or grievous bodily harm of another person and the driver was, at the time of the impact, driving the vehicle:
- under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a drug; or
- at a speed dangerous to another person or persons; or
- in a manner dangerous to another person or persons.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs – When the driver is found to have the prescribed concentration of alcohol, the penalty may be increased. This one is considered as an aggravating circumstance to the crime of dangerous driving under the Crimes Act.

How Long Do You Lose Your Licence For: Notice and Appeal
Aside from knowing about the suspension period of your licence, here are some important information that you must take note of:
Transport for NSW | NSW Police | |
Notice of Suspension | You can receive a suspension notice from TfNSW as a result of: – camera-detected offences – exceeding your demerit points limit – not completing a deferred eyesight test within 8 weeks from when you renewed your driver licence online. The notice will tell you when the suspension starts and on what day you can begin driving again. | A police officer can choose to suspend your licence: – on the spot – if this happens, the suspension begins immediately. You will not be able to drive away. Someone else will need to pick up your vehicle. – within 48 hours of your being charged or receiving a penalty notice. Depending on the offence: – the suspension may be an automatic suspension period of 3 months or 6 months, or – if you are charged with an offence, the suspension period will be unaffected until your case is heard by a court. Moreover, when rendering its decision, the court will consider the amount of time you have already been placed on suspension. |
Appeal | The filing of an appeal of the suspension will pause the running of the suspension period. Thus, you can continue driving until your court date. You must file your appeal at least one day before your suspension is due to begin. You can file an appeal online or lodge your application at any local court registry. However, if you are on a full licence and get 13 demerit points or more, you cannot appeal the suspension. Your remedy to this situation is to apply for a good behaviour period. | – File your appeal within 28 days of the date you were suspended – You remain suspended and must not drive until the court date. Before appealing a police suspension, make sure to ask legal advice from traffic offence lawyers. Note that the court cannot lift the suspension or vary the length of the suspension unless there are exceptional circumstances to justify doing so. You can file an appeal online or lodge your application at any local court registry. |
FAQs
Q: Can demerit points be used again?
A: Demerit points can’t be used again if the points have already been used for an extended demerit point period or a disqualification or suspension (that’s been served in full).
Q: What happens if my licence or learner permit is suspended or I’m disqualified?
A: After your suspension or disqualification period is over, the demerit points become ‘inactive’ on your driver record. However, any additional demerit points incurred during your suspension or disqualification will remain active.
Q: How many demerit points do I start with?
A: All drivers start with zero demerit points. If you haven’t committed any offences which incur demerit points, you’ll have zero demerit points.

Facing a Licence Suspension or Disqualification Period Matter?
Driver licence suspension can be a hassle especially if driving plays a huge part in your livelihood and daily tasks. Having your licence suspended can feel like a dead end, but it doesn’t have to be.
Australia’s complex traffic laws can be made understandable by an experienced traffic lawyer from JB Solicitors.
Remember, your mobility and livelihood are at stake. We’re here to help you know how many demerit points you can get back so you can get back on track. Take action today by contacting us through these modes:
- Call us for a free consultation about driving offences and if you’re driving record is at risk of getting tarnished: [02 9723 8080]
- Visit our website to learn more: [https://jbsolicitors.com.au/]
- Schedule an appointment online: [Enquire here]