Speeding offences and penalties
Did you know speeding is the biggest killer on NSW roads? Know the rules around speeding and the penalties for breaking them.
What is a speeding offence?
If you drive faster than the set speed limit, you are committing a speeding offence. Speeding increases your risk of having a crash, as well as how severe the crash could be.
The faster you are going:
- the stopping distance of your car increases
- the impact of a crash is more severe
- the likelihood of death or serious injury increases.
Different speeding offences carry different penalties depending on how severe the offence is. Penalties range from fines and demerit points to licence disqualification and imprisonment.
Search offences and penalties for a full list of speeding offences and their penalties.
Serious speeding offences
If you are convicted of a serious speeding offence you may face heavy penalties.
A serious speeding offence is defined by:
- driving more than 45km/h above the speed limit
- driving more than 30km/h but not more than 45km/h above the speed limit
- driving with a licence disqualification or suspension and exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h.
For serious speeding offences, you may have your licence suspended or disqualified for a period of time. NSW Police can issue a licence suspension at the roadside if you are caught speeding by more than 45km/h over the speed limit. Police also have the right to impound your vehicle or confiscate your vehicle's number plates.
These offences carry demerit points that will be added to your record. If you reach or go over your demerit point limit, an additional suspension period may apply. This additional suspension would be added on top of the suspension you receive for the speeding offence.
For more information on demerits, see How demerits work.
How speeding is detected
You can be caught speeding by:
- fixed speed cameras
- mobile speed cameras
- police.
If you're caught speeding by a fixed or mobile speed camera, the camera will clearly show the colour, type, make and number plate of your vehicle.
Speed cameras will also record the:
- date of the offence
- time of the offence
- location details of the camera that took the picture
- direction of travel of the offending vehicle
- speed of the offending vehicle
- speed limit of the road where the camera is situated
- other security and integrity parameters.
To ensure that mobile and fixed speed cameras are accurate, Transport for NSW conducts rigorous, regular testing to ensure the cameras are meeting legislation requirements.
List of speeding offences and penalties
Below is a list of speeding offences and penalties in NSW effective as of 1 July 2020. All offences with demerit penalties are subject to double demerits. Any speeding offence committed in a school zone also carries increased fines and demerit points.
This list should be used as a guide only, as penalties and offences are subject to change without notice.
Penalties if you are convicted by a court
Speeding offence | Light vehicles – maximum fine | Heavy vehicles – maximum fine | Licence disqualification |
|---|---|---|---|
Not more than 10km/h | $2200 | $2200 | - |
More than 10km/h but not more than 20km/h | $2200 | $2200 | - |
More than 20km/h but not more than 30km/h | $2200 | $2200 | - |
More than 30km/h but not more than 45km/h | $2200 | $2200 | 3 months (minimum) |
More than 45km/h | $3300 | $5500 | 6 months (minimum) |
Speeding offences for learner and provisional licences
If you hold a learner or provisional licence and commit any speeding offence, you'll receive at least 4 demerit points.
This means that:
- Learners and P1 licence holders will have their licence suspended or refused for at least 3 months for any speeding offence. A fine will also be issued.
- Provisional P2 licence holders must stay on their P2 licence for an extra 6 months every time they are caught speeding 30km/h or more over the speed limit. They will also receive a licence suspension.