About Demerit Points
Learn more about demerit points in WA.
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- Our Process
- About Demerits
- Double Or Nothing
FreePhone case assessment
Lets talk about your situation confidentially. We will discuss the alledged careless driving in detail to understand what happened and be able to tell you if we can help or not. Get the process started now, by requesting a free call back.
Book appointment with our traffic lawyers
If it's clear consulting a solicitor you will help your situation, we can identify the right one for your case and arrange a convenient appointment for you. We will review any documents you send us, and brief the solicitor before you arrive to maximise your time with them.
In depth consultation
At your meeting the solicitor will be able to indicate the outcome they expect to achieve and the legal pathway they would take with you to ensure the best possible result based off past cases and experience. Possible defences will be explored and all of your questions answered.
Sound legal advice & pathway forward
Armed with sound legal advice and a fixed fee quote for respresentation throughout the process you can then decide if you would like them to act on your behalf to drop charges or represent you in court.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with substantial traffic law experience.
Meet with lawyers who have successfully represented clients in traffic law cases.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
How many demerits do i have?
If you have held a driver’s licence for over 2 years and you accumulate a total of 12 or more demerit points within any 3 year period, a demerit point suspension can be imposed on you, which means that your driver’s licence will be suspended and you are not allowed to drive for a certain period.
There are two ways to check how many demerit points you have. You need to have your driver’s licence details at hand:
- You can call the Department of Transport Demerit Point Hotline on 1300 720 111. This is an automated service.
- Alternatively, you can do an online Demerit Point Check at the Department of Transport website.
Demerits for traffic offences
Dangerous Driving, first offence, if not disqualification imposed – 6 Demerits
Careless Driving – 3 Demerits
Undue Noise or Smoke – 3 Demerits
Driver not wearing a seat belt – 4 Demerits
Driver not wearing a seat belt and any unrestrained passengers – 4 Demerits
Driver wearing seat belt with any unrestrained passengers – 4 Demerits
Demerits for failing to...
Signal left or right turn – 2 Demerits
Stop at red light – 3 Demerits
Overtake when safe – 4 Demerits
Exceeding the speed limit by
More than 9km/h but not more than 19km/h – 2 Demerits
More than 19km/h but not more than 29km/h – 3 Demerits
More than 29km/h but not more than 40km/h – 6 Demerits
More than 40km/h – 7 Demerits
Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of:
0.00g to less than 0.02g – 3 Demerits
0.05g to less than 0.06g – 3 Demerits
0.06g to less than 0.07g – 4 Demerits
0.07g and over – 5 Demerits
First offence of driving with a prescribed illicit drug in oral fluid or blood – 3 Demerits
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If we can prove one of these defences together...
- There could be no criminal conviction recorded.
- You could have charges dropped before your court date.
- You could have the case thrown out of court.
- You could be found innocent in court.
What is double or nothing?
When someone accrues 12 or more demerit points within a 3 year period, they are liable for licence disqualification for a period of 3 months. A person can elect not to serve that 3 month period provided they elect to be of good behaviour under a double or nothing election.
The ‘double or nothing’ process allows you to avoid losing your licence when you reach 12 points or more within a 3 year period. You can choose to be of good behaviour for 12 months and if you succeed, you will not lose your licence.
What does “good behaviour” mean?
'Good behaviour’ means that you must not accumulate more than one demerit point; or commit an offence which would result in disqualification during the 12 month good behaviour period.
What happens if I breach the good behaviour period?
If you breach the good behaviour period, then your licence will be suspended for double the length of time that it would have before you made the choice to undergo the process (6 months rather than 3). You will also receive the penalty for the offence or offences which breached the good behaviour period. Note that this may include an additional period of licence suspension.
Is there a time limit for electing “double or nothing”?
Yes, you must make the election within 21 days from the date you were given the excess demerit point notice.
I am a p-plater, can I elect “double or nothing”?
No, you cannot choose to follow the ‘double or nothing’ process if you hold a provisional licence. If you hold a provisional licence and you receive a demerit point suspension notice, your licence will be automatically cancelled. This means that you must not only wait for the period of suspension to end, but you will also need to re-sit and pass your driving test before you can drive again.
What do I do if I want to elect “double or nothing”?
o You will need to submit a Good Behaviour Period Election Form (Form E18) to the Director General for Transport within 21 days from the date you were given the excess demerit point notice. A copy of this form is provided to you along with your excess demerit point notice. Alternatively, you can also get a copy of the form from any Licensing Centre, regional licensing agent or from the Department of Transport website.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with substantial traffic law experience.
Meet with lawyers who have successfully represented clients in traffic law cases.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
Our Process
FreePhone case assessment
Lets talk about your situation confidentially. We will discuss the alledged careless driving in detail to understand what happened and be able to tell you if we can help or not. Get the process started now, by requesting a free call back.
Book appointment with our traffic lawyers
If it's clear consulting a solicitor you will help your situation, we can identify the right one for your case and arrange a convenient appointment for you. We will review any documents you send us, and brief the solicitor before you arrive to maximise your time with them.
In depth consultation
At your meeting the solicitor will be able to indicate the outcome they expect to achieve and the legal pathway they would take with you to ensure the best possible result based off past cases and experience. Possible defences will be explored and all of your questions answered.
Sound legal advice & pathway forward
Armed with sound legal advice and a fixed fee quote for respresentation throughout the process you can then decide if you would like them to act on your behalf to drop charges or represent you in court.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with substantial traffic law experience.
Meet with lawyers who have successfully represented clients in traffic law cases.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
About Demerits
How many demerits do i have?
If you have held a driver’s licence for over 2 years and you accumulate a total of 12 or more demerit points within any 3 year period, a demerit point suspension can be imposed on you, which means that your driver’s licence will be suspended and you are not allowed to drive for a certain period.
There are two ways to check how many demerit points you have. You need to have your driver’s licence details at hand:
- You can call the Department of Transport Demerit Point Hotline on 1300 720 111. This is an automated service.
- Alternatively, you can do an online Demerit Point Check at the Department of Transport website.
Demerits for traffic offences
Dangerous Driving, first offence, if not disqualification imposed – 6 Demerits
Careless Driving – 3 Demerits
Undue Noise or Smoke – 3 Demerits
Driver not wearing a seat belt – 4 Demerits
Driver not wearing a seat belt and any unrestrained passengers – 4 Demerits
Driver wearing seat belt with any unrestrained passengers – 4 Demerits
Demerits for failing to...
Signal left or right turn – 2 Demerits
Stop at red light – 3 Demerits
Overtake when safe – 4 Demerits
Exceeding the speed limit by
More than 9km/h but not more than 19km/h – 2 Demerits
More than 19km/h but not more than 29km/h – 3 Demerits
More than 29km/h but not more than 40km/h – 6 Demerits
More than 40km/h – 7 Demerits
Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of:
0.00g to less than 0.02g – 3 Demerits
0.05g to less than 0.06g – 3 Demerits
0.06g to less than 0.07g – 4 Demerits
0.07g and over – 5 Demerits
First offence of driving with a prescribed illicit drug in oral fluid or blood – 3 Demerits
Know Your Separation Rights.
Don't let your ex dictate what you are entitled to. You have legal rights, arm yourself with knowledge before negotiating.
Our Separation Lawyers Can Help
Meet with lawyers who understand the system and can easily explain your separation options.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
Double Or Nothing
If we can prove one of these defences together...
- There could be no criminal conviction recorded.
- You could have charges dropped before your court date.
- You could have the case thrown out of court.
- You could be found innocent in court.
What is double or nothing?
When someone accrues 12 or more demerit points within a 3 year period, they are liable for licence disqualification for a period of 3 months. A person can elect not to serve that 3 month period provided they elect to be of good behaviour under a double or nothing election.
The ‘double or nothing’ process allows you to avoid losing your licence when you reach 12 points or more within a 3 year period. You can choose to be of good behaviour for 12 months and if you succeed, you will not lose your licence.
What does “good behaviour” mean?
'Good behaviour’ means that you must not accumulate more than one demerit point; or commit an offence which would result in disqualification during the 12 month good behaviour period.
What happens if I breach the good behaviour period?
If you breach the good behaviour period, then your licence will be suspended for double the length of time that it would have before you made the choice to undergo the process (6 months rather than 3). You will also receive the penalty for the offence or offences which breached the good behaviour period. Note that this may include an additional period of licence suspension.
Is there a time limit for electing “double or nothing”?
Yes, you must make the election within 21 days from the date you were given the excess demerit point notice.
I am a p-plater, can I elect “double or nothing”?
No, you cannot choose to follow the ‘double or nothing’ process if you hold a provisional licence. If you hold a provisional licence and you receive a demerit point suspension notice, your licence will be automatically cancelled. This means that you must not only wait for the period of suspension to end, but you will also need to re-sit and pass your driving test before you can drive again.
What do I do if I want to elect “double or nothing”?
o You will need to submit a Good Behaviour Period Election Form (Form E18) to the Director General for Transport within 21 days from the date you were given the excess demerit point notice. A copy of this form is provided to you along with your excess demerit point notice. Alternatively, you can also get a copy of the form from any Licensing Centre, regional licensing agent or from the Department of Transport website.
The sooner you act the better.
Leaving things to the last minute makes it more difficult for your legal team to obtain the best possible result.
Lawyers with substantial traffic law experience.
Meet with lawyers who have successfully represented clients in traffic law cases.
- Past Cases
- Good Results
- Happy Clients
