One million safe drivers to have demerit point scrubbed

One million drivers who have remained offence-free on the road over the past 12 months are being rewarded for their good behaviour with a demerit point to be scrubbed from their drivers licence.

The results of the second year of the State Government’s demerit point return scheme show drivers in car-reliant areas of Western Sydney and regional NSW are the biggest beneficiaries this year. 

The scheme provides a rare ‘carrot’ for people to drive safely as a counterbalance to the longstanding ‘stick’ of fines, double demerits and the loss of licence, said NSW Premier, Chris Minns.

“The number one aim of rewarding drivers for with a demerit point removal is safety,” said Premier Minns.

“There is no acceptable road toll and that’s why we are using both the carrot and the stick approach to encouraging safer driving.

“Every one of the million drivers who succeeded over the past 12 months should be congratulated because their safe actions helped make NSW roads safer.

“January is such a critical time on our roads, with people travelling long distances on holiday and to visit family and friends.

“My message is please do so safely. The more drivers who follow the road rules, the more who will qualify to have a point removed and keep our roads that little bit safer for everyone else.”

Almost 1.5 million drivers were eligible to have a demerit point removed when the second year of the trial started on January 17th, with just over one million drivers (1,003,610) remaining offence-free.

There are now more than 420,000 drivers who have had a demerit point wiped two years running.

Topping the list of suburbs was Blacktown where more than 6000 drivers are getting a point wiped.

Castle Hill, Merrylands, Auburn, and Maroubra round out the top five suburbs, each with 4500 or more drivers to benefit.

Regional drivers were also doing the right thing in great numbers with motorists in Orange, Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour notching up over 16,000 demerit points removed.

Motorists will begin to see their licence demerit tally updated from the second quarter of 2025.

As the scheme enters its third year, the NSW Government is making an important adjustment to the end date of the 12-month period which will in future run to 31 January starting in 2026.

This means that drivers who are close to benefiting with a point will need to drive safely and offence-free throughout the critical month of January which has in the past been marred by holiday crashes and deaths.

There are 1,483,926 drivers eligible to benefit if they stay within the rules until 31 January 2026.

The demerit point reward scheme is open to eligible unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points.

“I want to thank all those people who did the right thing every day for 12 months because they just may have helped save a life,” said Minister for Roads, John Graham.

“We are offering a very personal incentive to drive safely, but the broader effect is that safety on our roads is enhanced overall when people are making the right decisions to remain within the speed limit and within the law.

“This is also about jobs. If you drive for a living then the reward for safe driving could be the difference between ongoing employment and losing your livelihood.

“From 2026, the trial period will now end on January 31. This was a very deliberate decision so that we can place even more emphasis on road safety during the critical summer holiday period.”