More than one million New South Wales drivers have had a demerit point removed from their licence after staying offence-free for 12 months. The initiative is part of the NSW Government’s demerit point return scheme, now in its second year.

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The scheme, introduced by the Minns Labor Government, aims to reward positive behaviour on the roads, serving as a counterbalance to fines and penalties traditionally used to enforce road rules.

Western Sydney and Regional NSW Lead the Way

Out of nearly 1.5 million eligible drivers, 1,003,610 avoided traffic offences during the 12-month trial period. The suburbs with the highest number of drivers receiving a point removal include:

  • Blacktown – over 6,000 drivers
  • Castle Hill, Merrylands, Auburn, Maroubra – more than 4,500 drivers each

In regional NSW, drivers in Orange, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, and Coffs Harbour collectively had more than 16,000 points removed.

Over 420,000 motorists have now had a point wiped two years in a row under the program.

Program Updates for 2025 and Beyond

From 2026, the 12-month qualifying period will be extended to end on 31 January each year. This adjustment means eligible drivers must continue safe driving through January—a month often associated with higher crash rates due to holiday traffic.

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Currently, 1,483,926 drivers are eligible for the third year of the scheme, and they will need to remain offence-free until 31 January 2026 to benefit.

Broader Road Safety Measures in NSW

In addition to the demerit point reward system, the NSW Government has rolled out several other road safety initiatives:

  • Average speed camera trials for light vehicles in 2025
  • 2,700 new roadside enforcement sites for mobile speed cameras (enforcement hours unchanged)
  • Seatbelt detection via existing mobile phone cameras
  • Mandatory licence conversion for foreign drivers within six months
  • Implementation of Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce recommendations
  • Expansion of the bicycle helmet star rating system
  • NSW’s participation in the National Road Safety Data Agreement

The demerit point return scheme applies to unrestricted and professional licence holders with existing demerit points.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For official updates on eligibility and licence details, visit Transport for NSW or Service NSW.

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