What are demerit points?
When you get your driver licence, you start with zero demerit points. Demerit points are penalty points added to your driving record when you commit certain driving offences.
If your account shows zero (0) active demerit points, that's good – it means there are currently no demerit points recorded against your licence.
Check your demerit points
You can easily check your demerit points at any time in your myVicRoads app or myVicRoads account.
Everyone starts with 0 active demerit points
Everyone begins with 0 active demerit points. If your account shows 0 active demerit points, there are currently no active demerit points recorded against your licence.
Traffic offences add demerit points
Different offences attract different numbers of demerit points.
Examples include:
- speeding
- using a mobile phone or other device illegally
- running a red light
- failing to give way
How demerit points are counted
Your myVicRoads account shows the active demerit points applied to your licence within a 3-year period. If you have a learner permit or probationary licence, there's also a limit of 5 demerit points within a 12-month period.
Some demerit points may not show in the app straight away if an infringement notice is unpaid or the matter is still before a court.
Your demerit point limit
Your limit depends on your licence type. The limit for full licence holders is 12 points. If you have a probationary (P) licence or other restricted licence, your limit will be less.
| Licence type | Point limit |
|---|---|
|
5 points in any 12-month period, or 12 points in any 3-year period |
All other licences, including:
|
12 points in any 3-year period |
| VicRoads will still record your driving offence details and demerit point history. | |
| Marine licence (for boats and jet skis) | Your demerit point suspension or disqualification doesn't affect your Victorian marine licence. |
Other ways to check your demerit points
You can also check your demerit points by calling our IVR service on 1300 728 977.
Want more detail?
If you need a complete record of your driving history, you can order a Driver History Report.
Depending on the report type, it may include:
- current demerit points
- licence status
- licence conditions
- past suspensions
You may need a driver history report for employment checks, insurance, court matters, verifying your driving experience, or when applying for an interstate or overseas licence.
You can order different types of reports depending on what is needed.
These include:
- 5-year demerit point and driver history report – a summary of your licence status, demerit points, conditions, suspensions and your full driver offence history recorded by VicRoads.
- Complete demerit point and driver history report – a more detailed version, including full historical information held by VicRoads.
- Licence verification letter – confirms the status and type of licence(s) held.
- 5-year demerit points history report– shows your demerit point offences with the last 5 years.
For current fees, visit the Driver history report fees page.
How to order a driver history report or licence verification letter
You can order a report in two easy ways:
- Order online through your myVicRoads account.
- Order using the myVicRoads app.
To order your report, log in and follow the prompts. You’ll need your driver licence or learner permit details, and a credit or debit card.
We'll send your driver history report to the email listed in your myVicRoads account.
Please allow up to 24 hours for this email to arrive.
Fees apply when ordering a driver history report - see: Driver history report fees
If you can't go online to order reports, you can:
Other driver history reports may also be available. Ask us for more information.
More about demerit points
Visit the Demerit points page on the Transport Victoria website (make sure you scroll down right down the page) to find out about:
- demerit point limits
- when demerit points expire
- demerit point extension
- how to appeal demerit points
- licence suspension
- how to get your licence back
- incurring demerit points while interstate
- incurring demerit points on an interstate or overseas licence.
Get your licence back after drink or drug driving
If you’ve lost your licence after a drink or drug driving offence and want to find out how to get it back, visit Get your licence back after drink and/or drug driving on the Transport Victoria website.
