Motorists from New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory beware: a long weekend means double demerits are now in effect, regardless of where you’re driving.
From 12:01am Friday, June 7 to 11:59pm Monday, June 10, those with a NSW or ACT licence will cop double demerit points if caught committing certain offences on the road.
This applies only to motorists from those two jurisdictions, no matter where they’re driving.
For example, if you’re travelling through New South Wales on a Victorian licence and are fined, the demerit point penalty will be based on Victoria’s road laws.
On the other hand, if you’re driving in Victoria (which doesn’t enforce double demerits) on a New South Wales licence and receive a fine, double demerits apply.
| State (or territory) | Double demerit points? |
|---|---|
| Victoria | NO |
| New South Wales | YES |
| Western Australia | NO |
| Queensland | YES* |
| Tasmania | NO |
| Australian Capital Territory | YES |
| Northern Territory | NO |
| South Australia | NO |
What offences do double demerits apply to?
New South Wales: In Australia’s most populous state, double demerits are issued if motorists are caught speeding, illegally using their mobile phones, not wearing seatbelts in a car, or riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Australian Capital Territory: As with NSW, motorists from the nation’s capital are hit with double demerit points penalties for being caught speeding, illegally using their mobile phones, not wearing seatbelts in a car or riding a motorcycle without a helmet.
Queensland: While there are no holiday-specific double demerit periods in Queensland, the Sunshine State applies stronger penalties to certain driving offences every day of the year.
These include driving at more than 20km/h above the speed limit, any mobile phone-related offences, driver seatbelt offences, motorcycle helmet offences, and failure to ensure passengers under 16 are properly restrained.
The double demerits are only applied to motorists who commit the same type of offence within 12 months of their first offence, with the second offence attracting twice as many points.
Western Australia: Double demerits don’t apply as there is no long weekend out West.
Elsewhere: Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have no double demerit points during holiday periods or at any point during the year.
