More than one million drivers across New South Wales have been rewarded with a demerit point removal after maintaining offence-free driving records for 12 months. This result comes from the second year of the NSW Government's demerit point return scheme.

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Eligibility and Participation

At the start of the second year in January 2025, 1,483,926 drivers were eligible for the program. Of these, 1,003,610 drivers successfully completed the 12-month period without any recorded offences, earning a demerit point removal. Additionally, over 420,000 drivers have now received a demerit point removal for two consecutive years.

Suburb and Regional Breakdown

The program’s largest groups of beneficiaries were from car-dependent areas in Western Sydney and regional NSW:

  • Blacktown led with over 6000 drivers receiving a demerit point removal.
  • Castle Hill, Merrylands, Auburn, and Maroubra each saw more than 4500 drivers benefit.
  • In regional areas, drivers in Orange, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, and Coffs Harbour collectively had over 16,000 demerit points removed.

Timeline Adjustment for Year Three

As the scheme moves into its third year, a key change has been introduced. Beginning in 2026, the qualifying 12-month period will end on 31 January each year. This adjustment adds the holiday month of January, historically linked with higher crash rates, into the safety assessment period.

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Licence Updates and Eligibility

Motorists who remain eligible will see updates to their demerit point tallies starting from the second quarter of 2025. The program is open to unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points.

Broader Road Safety Measures Introduced

In addition to the demerit reward scheme, the NSW Government introduced multiple road safety initiatives in 2024 that will continue or expand in 2025:

  • Trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles.
  • Expansion of roadside enforcement with 2,700 new mobile speed camera deployment sites.
  • Seatbelt detection via mobile phone cameras.
  • Closing the foreign licence loophole by requiring all foreign licence holders to convert to NSW licences within six months.
  • Implementation of recommendations from the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce.
  • Additional bicycle helmet ratings under the star rating system.
  • Signing of the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth.
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