The Demerit Points Scheme was introduced to make drivers more aware of road safety and to stop repeat offenders.

Demerit points are allocated to a range of traffic offences against the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the Australian Road Rules. The number of points for each offence depends on how likely it is to cause an accident. A detailed list of rule and section descriptions along with applicable demerit points are available from any Customer Service Centre.

The complete list of offences that incur demerit points is contained in Schedule 7 of the Motor Vehicle Regulations 1996 which can viewed from the South Australian Legislation web site.

If you accumulate 12 or more demerit points in any 3 year period, you will be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence or permit. Each 3 year period is calculated based on the dates the offences were committed.

If you accumulate

• 12 to 15 points you lose your right to drive for 3 months.
• 16 to 20 points you lose your right to drive for 4 months.
• Over 20 points you lose your right to drive for 5 months.

A demerit points disqualification starts 28 days after a formal notice is sent to you, providing you formally acknowledge receipt of the notice within this timeframe.

If you are already disqualified, any new demerit points disqualification will start immediately after the existing disqualification ends.

Will you be sent a warning notice?

A warning notice is sent (unless you have an interstate address) to you should you accrue 6 or more demerit points as a warning you are coming close to being disqualified from driving. The warning notice shows the offence details, the date the offence was committed and the number of demerit points for each offence.

Electing the “Good Behaviour Option”

In lieu of serving the demerit points disqualification, you may be eligible to apply for a “good behaviour option”. The good behaviour option will only be offered to eligible clients and is referred to in the demerit points disqualification notice.

You must make a formal application to accept a 12 month good behaviour option at the time of acknowledging receipt of your disqualification notice.

Once the good behaviour condition is accepted, you will be able to continue to drive but your licence will be subject to the condition that you do not incur 2 or more demerit points during the good behaviour period. If you incur 2 or more points you will be disqualified for twice the original disqualification period.

Demerit points associated with an existing demerit disqualification or good behaviour option are not further accumulated.

What happens if you commit an offence interstate?

Any offence that you expiate or are convicted of for which demerit points are issued will be recorded against your South Australian Driver's Licence, whether the offence is committed in South Australia or interstate.