More than one million drivers in New South Wales have had a demerit point removed from their licence, as the state's innovative road safety reward system enters its second year. The scheme, introduced by the Minns Labor Government, incentivises good driving behaviour by wiping a demerit point from the records of drivers who remain offence-free for 12 months.
Dylan Anderson
A Shift Towards Positive Reinforcement
This initiative aims to promote road safety by offering a personal incentive for maintaining a clean driving record. Rather than focusing solely on penalties like fines or suspensions, this approach rewards safe behaviour, making it especially impactful for professional drivers whose licences are essential for their livelihood.
Strong Uptake Across the State
Out of the 1.48 million eligible drivers at the beginning of the 2025 trial period, 1,003,610 successfully avoided any offences and earned a point removal. Notably, more than 420,000 motorists have now received point removals two years in a row.
Top Performing Suburbs:
| Suburb | Demerit Points Removed |
|---|---|
| Blacktown | 6,093 |
| Castle Hill | 5,160 |
| Merrylands | 4,864 |
| Auburn | 4,785 |
| Maroubra | 4,594 |
| Orange | 4,525 |
| Bankstown | 4,516 |
| Dubbo | 4,506 |
| Port Macquarie | 4,438 |
| Ryde | 4,422 |
Looking Ahead: Summer Focus
Starting in 2026, the clean driving period will extend until the end of January each year. This aligns with the summer holidays, a time historically linked with higher road risks. Eligible drivers can expect updates to their demerit records in the second quarter of 2025.
Dylan Anderson
Part of a Broader Road Safety Strategy
The demerit return scheme is just one element of the NSW Government's wider 2024-2025 road safety agenda. Other major initiatives include:
- Launch of average speed camera trials for light vehicles
- Over 2,700 mobile speed camera sites across the state
- Detection of seatbelt misuse via phone cameras
- Stricter rules for drivers on international licences
- Expanded helmet ratings for cyclists
- A national data-sharing agreement to improve safety measures
The government’s goal is not only to deter dangerous behaviour but also to actively encourage safe, responsible driving through targeted rewards.
Summary
With over one million drivers benefiting already and another 1.5 million eligible in the current year, NSW’s demerit return scheme is proving to be a success. It signals a cultural shift in how authorities address road safety—by recognising and rewarding those doing the right thing, not just punishing those who don't.
Disclaimer: This article is based on government releases and publicly available data. It is original and created for informational purposes only.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
