State by state: When double demerits apply over Christmas and New Year
Speeding drivers had better watch out because from tonight, double demerits are coming to town.
The restrictions kick in tonight in NSW, the ACT and WA at midnight tonight.
Double demerits work slightly differently in every state, with the full details below.
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Double demerits differ from state to state. In all states, if you reach your demerit point limit, your license can be suspended. Supplied
NSW, ACT AND WA
This year, the double demerit period in NSW, the ACT, and WA lasts from midnight December 20, 2024 to January 1, 2025.
In NSW during double demerit periods, you could lose double the license points for getting caught doing the following: speeding, using a mobile phone illegally, riding without a helmet, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or carrying passengers not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or restraint.
The ACT and WA follow a similar system.
In the ACT, one additional demerit point (rather than double) is applied for more minor offences such as failing to keep left.
In WA, driving a motor vehicle fitted with a speed camera-evading device, or driving in a manner to evade speed cameras, will incur 14 a-point penalty during a double demerit period.
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QLD
Like many things in Australia, Queensland approaches double demerits differently.
Rather than having them in place for all drivers around public holidays, the Sunshine State instead keeps them in effect year-round, but only for drivers who commit the same offence twice in the space of 12 months.
This applies to speeding more than 20km/h over the limit, as well as mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.
If you are a Queensland license holder and commit a traffic offence anywhere in Australia, demerit points may be applied as if the offence was committed in Queensland.
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Victoria, SA, NT and Tasmania
Victoria does not impose double demerit periods.
Likewise, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not impose the penalty over public holidays or the Christmas period.
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