Road rules and safety

Demerit points

Demerit points play a crucial role in promoting safe driving behaviours. Discover the rules, how demerit points are applied, and how to find out if you have any.


Visit VicRoads to check your demerit points history

A demerit point is a penalty point you get when you commit certain driving offences, such as speeding or dangerous driving. All drivers start with zero demerit points.

Demerit points last for four years. They start from the date you committed the related driving offence.

Check your demerit point history

Visit VicRoads to check your demerit points history. Demerit points may not immediately show up in your history because of:

  • court proceedings
  • late payments of a traffic infringement notice.

View a sample 5 year demerit point history record (PDF)

Suspended or disqualified licences

If your licence or learner permit is suspended or you’re disqualified, you won’t be allowed to drive any motor vehicle in Australia or overseas. You also won’t be able to apply for a licence or learner permit in Victoria. 

It’s against the law to drive if your licence or learner permit is suspended or if you’re disqualified. If you drive while suspended or disqualified, you may be fined, imprisoned and/or have your vehicle impounded.

Your vehicle insurance may also be invalidated.

Demerit point limits

The number of demerit points you can get depends on which licence you have.

Victorian licence typeDetails of demerit point limit
  • learner permit
  • P1 or P2 probationary licence
  • overseas licence (no Victorian licence) where the driver is less than 22 years old
5 points in any 12-month period, or 12 points in any 3-year period.

All other licences, including:

  • full driver licence
  • motorcycle/car learner permit
  • overseas licence (no Victorian licence) where the driver is 22 years or older
12 points in any 3-year period.
VicRoads will still record your driving offence details and demerit point history. 
Marine licence (for boats and jet skis)Your demerit point suspension or disqualification doesn’t affect your Victorian marine licence.

More information about demerit points