Demerit point trial to reward NSW drivers with a spotless driving record

Drivers in one state will be able to recover lost demerit points, in a new program aimed at “rewarding safe driving”.

NSW drivers who maintain a spotless driving record for a year from January 17, 2022, will have one demerit point scrubbed from their record in a new law passed through parliament on Wednesday.

Under the Australian-first trial, demerit points will be removed from mid-April 2024 onwards, with the government flagging a three-month administration period to finalise offences.

Prior to this, it took three years for a driver to remove a demerit point.

The trial applies to full-licence holders only and will not affect learner and provisional licence holders.

Roads Minister John Graham said it was time to try a new approach to encouraging driver safety.

He said the government would “closely watch the results” of the trial to ensure it resulted in a “net safety benefit”.

NSW drivers who do not incur a demerit point from January 17 2023 to January 17 2024 will get a demerit point wiped from their record. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“We haven’t tried the idea of using incentives,” he said.

“Drivers who’ve committed very serious offences will find themselves off the road, in most cases. Obviously, in those instances, they’re just not going to be eligible.

“But for drivers who have accumulated a significant number of points, we want them to drive better.”

Previously, the trial was slated to start from July 1; however the government was able to fast-track the program to backdate eligibility to January 17 – when Labor made the election promise.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the program would “encourage drivers to do the right thing”.

“Reducing the road toll and rewarding safe driving across the state is the aim of this trial and I am pleased the parliament agreed, with bipartisan support,” he said.

“It’s time we put safety back at the centre of our road rules, not revenue raising.”