Vehicle offences

Reasons we may consider leniency

Some offences under 20km/h where the driver has a clear driving record for the full 10 years prior to the offence date.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

Please refer to How do I prove a clear driving record? for examples of interstate traffic records.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we may not consider leniency 

For public safety, these offences are not considered based solely on a clear driving record. 

• offences in Class B/C vehicles (heavy vehicles).
• school zone speeding.
• offences over 20km/h.
• I did not see the signs.
• I believe my speedometer is misreading my speed.
• I will lose my licence if I do not receive leniency.

Reasons we may consider leniency

• I purchased a valid parking ticket, but did not display it correctly.
• I paid for parking through an authorised smart phone app and received verification of the transaction.
• The parking ticket machine/meter was faulty.
• I went to get change for the meter.
• I placed money in the wrong meter or bay.
• My vehicle was broken down at the time of the offence.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• A copy of the valid parking ticket
• Details of the time you attempted to make payment, including: 
  • the first 6 and last 4 digits of the card used (if payment was attempted with a card), and
  • the parking machine fault reference number.
• Documentary evidence verifying your payment (e.g., smart phone transaction history). Please note, if payment was successfully debited from your account, we need the bank statement, not payment method details. A copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation. Please ensure the documentation shows:           
  • that the vehicle was attended to within a reasonable timeframe, and
  • the registration, time, date and location.  

Disclaimer: If you are supplying the bank statement, please ensure only the first 6 and last 4 digits of the card numbers are visible. 

Reasons we may not consider leniency 

• I was unfamiliar with the area.
• I did not notice the requirement to pay.
• I exceeded the time restrictions and purchased another ticket.
• this is my first offence.
• A clear driving record.

Reasons we may consider leniency

I, or the person I was transporting, have a valid Mobility Parking Permit, but it was not displayed correctly at the time of the offence.

Evidence required

• This may include, but is not limited to: provide a copy of both sides of the relevant valid permit or full number and expiry date of the MPS permit. 
• A signed statement from the MPS permit holder stating that the driver was transporting them (permit not in the driver's name).
• Supporting documentation that you have applied for MPS permit. 

Please note that usually only the first offence of this type will be considered. 

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I did not see the signs.
• I had a recent injury and thought I could park there.
• I was not there for long.

 Reasons we may consider leniency

• There was a medical emergency.
• My vehicle was broken down.
• My vehicle was stolen.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:  

• medical emergency – refer to personal circumstance section
• a copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation
• evidence of stolen vehicle – event number from NSW Police or report from interstate police.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I only stopped for a short time.
• There was no other parking available.
• I/we needed to find a bathroom.
• I was dropping or picking up passengers.
• I did not see the sign.
• A clear driving record.

Reasons we may consider leniency

• My vehicle is permitted to be parked in a loading zone, and I was engaged in setting down or picking up goods or passengers.
• I had a valid loading zone ticket relevant to the vehicle I used at the time of the offence.
• I could not obtain a ticket for the loading zone because the machine was faulty.
• My vehicle was broken down at the time of the offence.

For further information on the vehicles allowed to park in a loading zone refer to the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule – Definitions and Vehicle Categories).

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• a copy or details of your valid ticket
• where applicable:

              º details of the time you attempted to make payment, and

              º the parking machine fault reference number

• a copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I was unfamiliar with the area.
• I was not there long.
• There were no other parks.
• This is my first offence.
• A clear driving record.

We are unable to consider your driving record for non demerit parking offences as they are not recorded on your driving record

Reasons we may consider leniency

• There was a medical emergency
• I received a fine for parking in a special/restricted zone, but I am authorised to park there.
• My vehicle was broken down at the time of the offence

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• medical emergency – refer to personal circumstance section
• documentation of your authority to park in the zone
• a copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation.

Details of your claim will be checked against the information recorded by the issuing officer.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• This is my first offence.
• I was not notified that the restrictions were changing.
• I am a local resident and was not aware of the event.
• A clear driving record.

Reasons we may consider leniency

Where the driver has a clear driving record for the full 10 years prior to the offence date, demerit offences will be considered, such as:

• exceeding speed under 20km/h.
• bus lane.
• T-Way.
• transit lane.
• not give way.
• not stop at stop line.
• disobey no left/right turn sign.
• yellow light offences.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

 Please refer to How do I prove a clear driving record? for examples of interstate traffic records.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• Exceeding speed over 20km/h.
• All red light offences.
• All school zone offences.
• Mobile phone offences.
• Offences that pose significant risk to other road users.
• I will lose my licence if I do not receive leniency.

For public safety, these offences are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Reasons we may consider leniency

I was directed to travel through the red light by an authorised officer.

Evidence required

We may refer to Transport for NSW for advice.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• A clear driving record.
• Claims that you were not able to stop in time.
• Claims that you could not see the lights.
• Claims that the light was yellow when you entered the intersection (red light offences are only issued when the light is red before the vehicle enters the intersection).

For public safety, these offences are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Reasons we may consider leniency

• I believe there is an error with Transport for NSW (or the relevant transport authority).
• I paid the vehicle registration prior to the due date.
• I was driving for the purpose directly associated with registering the vehicle
• I was in the process of registering the vehicle
• I am a pensioner and paid the Comprehensive Third Party (CTP) insurance and my car had been inspected by a licenced mechanic.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• evidence supported by the relevant authority showing that:
  • you were licenced, and/or
• the vehicle was registered at the time of the offence.
• documentary evidence that payment was made prior to the registration renewal due date.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I was unaware that the registration or licence had expired.
• This is my first offence.
• I am not the owner of the vehicle.

Reasons we may consider leniency

• I am authorised to travel in this lane.
• I have a clear driving record for the full 10 years prior to the offence date.
• I was directed to travel in this lane by an authorised officer.
• There was an accident or emergency situation and I had to travel in this lane.
• I received two fines for offences detected within a short period of time.
• I realised I should not be driving in this area and tried to correct my error.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to documentation:

• that you are authorised to travel in this lane
• supporting there was an accident or emergency situation at the time the offence occurred.

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118.

Please refer toHow do I prove a clear driving record? for examples of interstate traffic records.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I was unfamiliar with the area.
• I was following GPS navigation.

Leniency is not considered for mobile phone offences due to the serious safety risks associated with this offence.

Drivers are not permitted to hold a mobile phone while driving to perform any function on the phone, including playing music, using maps, texts, or emails etc.

Reasons we may consider leniency

• I paid the toll before the fine was issued.
• There was an error with E-Toll Tag

Please note that E-Toll Tag payments are only valid if sufficient funds were available at the time of the trip.

Evidence required

• A copy of your account statement that shows funds available on the date of the trip.
• Supporting documentation such as statement showing valid balance at the time of the trip.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I paid the toll notice after the fine was issued.
• I did not realise there were no funds in my account.
• My E-Toll Tag did not work.

Reasons we may consider leniency

• I received a fine for myself or a passenger not wearing a seatbelt and have a valid medical exemption.
• I have an older vehicle and there was no requirement for a seatbelt to be fitted at the date of manufacture.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• a medical certificate for a driver or passenger providing an exemption from wearing a seatbelt that was valid at the date of offence. You can find more information on medical exemptions and medical certificate requirements on the safe driving seatbelts page. 

Revenue NSW is not able to consider leniency based on clear driving records due to the seriousness of the offence.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• Any offence where a seatbelt is not worn correctly.
• All offences where safety restraints are not properly installed.

Reasons we may consider leniency

• I received a fine for not displaying L or P plates. One of my plates fell off during my journey and this is the first time I have received a fine for this offence. The other plate remained displayed. I did not receive another fine at the same time.
• I was riding a motorbike and my plate fell off during my journey. I have not received a fine for this offence before and did not receive another fine at the same time.
• Driving record is considered from when a provisional licence is held.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Details of your claim. This will be checked against the information provided by the reporting officer.
• If you have held a NSW driver’s licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required. If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

Please refer to How do I prove a clear driving record? for examples of interstate traffic records.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• General traffic, licence and speeding offences are not considered.
• I had no P or L plates displayed.

Reasons we may consider leniency

I have a clear driving history with no offences in the last 10 years prior to the offence.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I slowed right down but did not stop.
• The stop sign is new. 

Reasons we may consider leniency

• I have a clear driving record for 10 years prior to the offence date.

Leniency will only be considered after reviewing the severity of the offence in consultation with the issuing authority.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW driver’s licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I was told I would not receive a fine.

Note: The level of public safety/seriousness will be checked against the information provided by the reporting officer.  

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I was not aware that there was a requirement for an auxiliary plate on a bike rack.
• I made my own plate.
• I did not realise the plate was obscured.

Offences for obscured number plates are not generally considered.

Reasons we may consider leniency

I have been issued with a camera detected fine but I did not commit the offence and believe another person has fraudulently used my identity.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• independent evidence supporting that you were not in the location at the time of the offence
• copies of photo identity
• Commonwealth Victim Certificate
• a report from NSW Police confirming that your identity has been stolen.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• you were nominated for the offence.
• If a report has been made to NSW Police but no investigation has been conducted.

Reasons we may consider leniency

I have been issued with a fine, but I did not commit the offence and believe that another person has falsely nominated me.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• independent proof you were somewhere else at the time of the offence
• copy of your driver’s licence
• how/when you became aware that you had been nominated
• why you believe you have been falsely nominated.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• You had been given use of the car by the owner and you had let someone else drive it.
• You sold the vehicle but did not advise Transport for NSW.
• The fine was issued to you on the spot.
• Ownership dispute where the car was sold around the time of the offence.
• The vehicle was hired by you.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

Leniency is generally not considered for school zone offences. This is due to the serious safety risks associated with these offences. For public safety, these circumstances are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Reasons we may consider leniency

I sold this vehicle prior to this offence and have notified Transport for NSW about the change of ownership before this fine was issued.

Evidence required

• A copy of the notice of disposal.

• A letter on letterhead from your interstate authority confirming disposal details or proof of sale.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

• I gave the car away and/or did not properly dispose of the vehicle.
• This is my first offence.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

Vehicles which do not meet Australian Safety Standards can pose significant risks to other road users. Due to the seriousness of these offences, it is unlikely that a caution will be given.

Reasons we may consider leniency

The vehicle was stolen at the time of the offence.

Evidence required

Details of the NSW Police event number or a printed copy of the interstate police report.

Reasons we may not consider leniency

Leniency is not considered for heavy vehicle offences due to the significant safety risks these offences pose.

For public safety, these circumstances are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Please note: The level of public safety/seriousness will be checked against the information provided by the reporting officer.