Learner and provisional driver demerit points

The demerit points system is a program that encourages safe and responsible driving. 

To help reduce young driver deaths on our roads, learner and provisional licences are also part of the demerit point scheme.

Drivers under 25 are over-represented in road crashes, which means drivers on their Ls or Ps are at more risk of being involved in a crash. 

Provisional licence holders who exceed their demerit point limit twice must retake the Driver Knowledge Test.

Learner and P1 licence demerits

Learners and P1 licence holders have a demerit limit of 4 points. 

If you commit demerit point offences and you reach or go over 4 demerit points, your licence will be suspended, or Transport will refuse to renew it, for 3 months. 

P2 licence demerits

P2 licence holders have a demerit limit of 7 points.

If you commit demerit point offences and you reach or go over 7 demerit points, your P2 licence will be suspended, or Transport will refuse to renew it, for 3 months.

If you drive while suspended

You may receive heavy penalties if you are convicted of driving while your licence is suspended. This could include a prison sentence and disqualification from driving.

All speeding offences committed by a learner or P1 driver attract at least 4 demerit points.

This means that if you commit any speeding offence while on your learner or P1 licence, it will have a consequence. You'll be suspended, or we'll refuse to renew your licence, for 3 months.

Higher speeding offences

If you drive well over the speed limit, you will lose your licence for longer. An additional 3 month suspension will apply if you go over the speed limit by more than 30km/h. If you go over the speed limit by more than 45km/h, a 6 month suspension will apply.

Police can suspend and confiscate your licence immediately if you speed by more than 30km/h over the limit. This can also happen if you're caught driving without a supervisor.

See Speeding offences for more.

If you have a P2 licence and you are suspended for unsafe driving behaviour, you will have to hold your P2 licence for an extra 6 months.

For example: if someone on their green Ps is suspended, they will have to hold their P2 licence for the normal 24 months, plus an extra 6 months. They will only be able to apply for a full licence after that additional time.

An extra 6 months is added for every suspension you receive. 

If your learner or provisional licence is suspended because you reached your demerit limit, you have the right to appeal. 

If you choose to appeal, you must do it no later than 28 days after you receive a suspension or refusal notice. Under the law, it is assumed that you have received a notice 4 days after it has been posted.