How to Reduce Your Demerit Points
Got demerit points on your record? Here is how to get them removed — and what does NOT work.
Key Takeaways
- The ONLY way to reduce points is time + clean driving
- 1 point is removed for every 3 months with no new offences
- There is no way to pay to remove points
- Attending a driving course does NOT remove points
- Any new offence resets your 3-month clean driving clock
How points are removed
There is only one way to reduce your demerit points: drive without committing any offence for 3 consecutive months. After 3 clean months, 1 point is removed. After another 3 clean months, another point is removed. And so on.
- 3 months clean driving = 1 point removed
- 6 months clean = 2 points removed
- 12 months clean = 4 points removed
- This is the ONLY way — there are no shortcuts
What resets the clock?
If you commit any new traffic offence during your 3-month clean period, the clock resets to zero. You have to start the 3 months again from scratch. This means even a small offence like not wearing a seatbelt can delay your point reduction.
- Any new offence resets the 3-month clock
- Even minor offences (1 point) reset it
- You must be completely clean for 3 full months
- This makes it very important to drive carefully
What does NOT work
You cannot pay money to remove points. You cannot attend a driving course to remove points. You cannot appeal to have points removed (unless the original offence is overturned in court). There are no shortcuts or loopholes.
- Paying money does NOT remove points
- Driving courses do NOT remove points
- Appealing does NOT work (unless offence is overturned)
- No lawyer can get points removed
- Only time and clean driving works
How to avoid getting more points
The best strategy is prevention. Drive within the speed limit, always wear your seatbelt, never use your phone while driving, and never drink and drive. These simple habits keep your record clean and your license safe.
- Stick to the speed limit (even 1 km/h over counts)
- Always wear your seatbelt
- Put your phone away while driving
- Never drive after drinking
- Keep your car roadworthy and license disc valid
Ready to see your own numbers?
Use the AARTO Demerit Simulator