How can you check your VicRoads demerit points? To keep our roads safe, we have speed limits, road signs, and traffic laws. However, drivers would ignore these rules and put themselves and other road users at risk. That’s why we have traffic penalties and VicRoads demerit points.
VicRoads Demerit Points: Definition and Overview
If you are convicted of a driving offence with demerit points, you will be assessed a penalty point known as a “demerit point.” According to the Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019 and the Road Safety Act of 1986, these points are recorded against your driving record.
Every driver has zero demerit points at first. You won’t have any demerit points if you haven’t committed any offences that count against you. Driving defensively will help you stay out of trouble. You will accrue more demerit points the more offences you commit.
Traffic violators get demerit points starting on the date of the driving infraction and will be on file for four years. Moreover, the register can use demerit points to issue a demerit point notice when someone commits violations during a three-year period.
How to Check Your VicRoads Demerit Points?
How do you check your VicRoads demerit points? Follow these steps:
- Log in to your myVicRoads account.
- Go to ‘Licences & Learner Permits’ to view your demerit point balance.
- Look for ‘Demerit points and driver history’. This displays your VicRoads demerit points balance.
- You can also call 1300 728 977 for an automated check of your demerit points balance.
- Another option is to visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (just bring your ID or any evidence of identity).
Note that other agencies, such as Fines Victoria and the Courts may also contribute to your demerit points balance if they notify VicRoads of any other offence you might commit. Also, if you have no Victorian licence and what you have is an overseas or interstate licence, you can visit VicRoads Customer Service Centre.
VicRoads Demerit Points Limit
A person’s traffic offence will determine the number of demerits points you receive. You can also receive demerit points for certain driving offences committed interstate. What type of licence or learner permit you have determined your demerit point limit.
Here’s a summary of the types of licences with their corresponding VicRoads demerit points limit:
What Happens if You Exceed the Demerit Point Limits?
VicRoads will notify you in writing if your licence or learner permit is valid, stating that unless you select the extended demerit point period, your licence or permission will be suspended.
You can’t extend your demerit point period if your licence or learner permit has already been suspended or revoked for any other reason. Your driver’s licence or learner’s permit will be suspended instead.
Under the extended demerit point limit system, you have 12 months to continue driving. But if you commit an offence during that time that results in:
- your licence or learner permit being suspended, cancelled, or
- receiving too many demerit points, your licence or permit will be suspended for twice as long as it was originally offered.
This approach is intended to encourage you to implement safer driving habits.
Remember: VicRoads can suspend your licence or learner permit if, by the deadline on your notification, you do not select the extended demerit point period. Driving when your licence or learner permit is suspended is prohibited. You risk severe consequences if you do.
VicRoads Demerit Points Offences
The Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019 provides the complete list of demerits point offences in Victoria, Australia. Here are some common demerits point offences:
- Offences carrying 4 demerit points:
- Level crossing offences
- Using a device (inbuilt, mounted, portable, wearable or a motor bike helmet device) illegally while driving.
- Touching a portable device while driving
- Driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle in contravention of maximum work requirement (critical risk offence)
- Driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle in contravention of minimum rest requirement (critical risk offence)
- Offences carrying 3 demerit points:
- Exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h or more but less than 25 km/h
- Disobeying traffic lights, signs or police or authorised person directing traffic.
- Driving without wearing an approved helmet (motorcycle), or a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt
- Driving with an unrestrained passenger, a passenger sharing the same seat as another passenger or a passenger in or on part of the vehicle not designed for passengers or goods.
- Driving on the wrong side of double lines or divided highway or painted island
- Risk colliding with exiting, boarding or waiting tram passengers.
- Holder of motorcycle learner permit or licence for less than 3 years riding a motorcycle that is not a learner approved motorcycle or carrying a pillion passenger.
- Offences carrying 2 demerit points:
- Improper overtaking or passing
- Turn or stop without signalling
- Turn improperly
- Fail to keep left
- Offences carrying 1 demerit point:
- Exceed speed limit by less than 10km/h*
- Driving contrary to a minor defect notice
- Fail to dip headlights.
- Driving at night or in hazardous weather conditions without headlights and taillights on
- Follow too closely
COMPLETE LIST: Schedule 3 of the RSR
A Traffic Offence Lawyer Can Help You
Traffic offences in Victoria, Australia may carry heavy fines and penalties. That’s why you need to seek legal advice from an experienced traffic offence lawyer from JB Solicitors. Our traffic offence solicitors can help you protect your licence, demerit point limit, and fight unfair penalties.
Contact us today and schedule a quick consultation about demerit points and licence suspension matters.
