In addition to the penalties such as fines and licence disqualification, many offences also carry demerit points that are recorded on a person's licence. All references in this part are to the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 unless otherwise specified.

Some of the offences that attract demerit points are listed below: see SUMMARY OF DEMERIT POINTS. Where a person commits two or more offences arising from the same incident, she or he will only receive points for the most serious offence. For example, a person charged with both driving without due care and failing to give way, will only attract 3 demerit points. However, if a person is convicted of or expiates two or more offences arising from the same incident and one of the offences is a red light offence and another is a speeding offence, demerit points are incurred in respect of both the red light offence and the speeding offence.

Offences committed interstate are also recorded against a South Australian licence [Motor Vehicles Act 1959 s.98BB] and the Registrar has the power to suspend or cancel an interstate licence under the law of another State. This power also extends to foreign driver's licences.

Demerit points apply from the date the offence was committed and not from the date of the conviction or the payment of the expiation notice. Three years after an offence is committed the demerit points are erased.

You can contact the Registration & Licensing Branch for the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure on 13 10 84 or 1300 360 067 to find out how many demerit points you have incurred.