Over one million drivers in New South Wales have had a demerit point removed from their licence for remaining offence-free over the past 12 months. This initiative is part of the Minns Labor Government’s demerit point return scheme.

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2025 Results

  • Eligible drivers at start of second trial year (from 17 January 2024): 1,483,926
  • Drivers who remained offence-free: 1,003,610
  • Drivers with points removed two years in a row: Over 420,000

Top Suburbs Benefiting (Sydney)

  • Blacktown: 6,000+ drivers
  • Castle Hill, Merrylands, Auburn, Maroubra: 4,500+ drivers each

Regional NSW Beneficiaries

  • Orange, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour: Combined total of over 16,000 demerit points removed

Timeline for Demerit Updates

  • Drivers will see updates to their licence records beginning in the second quarter of 2025.

Third Year Trial Adjustment

  • From 2026, the 12-month offence-free period will end on 31 January each year.
  • This change includes the month of January, a period previously linked to increased holiday road incidents.
  • Eligible drivers in 2026: 1,483,926 (if offence-free by 31 January 2026)
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Eligibility

  • The scheme applies to unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points.

Supporting Road Safety Measures (Introduced in 2024–2025)

  • Trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles
  • Expansion of mobile speed camera enforcement sites (+2,700 new locations)
  • Seatbelt enforcement via existing mobile phone detection cameras
  • Removal of foreign licence loophole, requiring conversion to NSW licence within six months
  • Implementation of Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce recommendations to prevent misuse by foreign nationals
  • Release of additional bicycle helmet safety ratings under the star rating system
  • Signing of the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth

The demerit point reward scheme is part of broader road safety reforms aimed at encouraging safer driving behaviour and reducing fatalities on NSW roads.

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