Demerit Points in NZ: How Close Are You to Losing Your Licence?

Demerit points are one of the quietest ways people lose their licence in New Zealand. There is no court hearing and no judge. The points accumulate in the background, and the first many people hear of it is a suspension notice in the letterbox.

How the system works

Certain driving offences carry a set number of demerit points, recorded against your licence when you are issued an infringement by an officer. Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence. If you reach 100 or more points within any two-year period, NZTA must suspend your licence for three months (or, if you do not currently hold a licence, disqualify you for three months).

What does and does not attract points

Speeding tickets, certain careless driving matters, and a drink driving infringement (251 to 400 micrograms attracts 50 points) all add up. One thing that surprises people: speed camera fines carry zero demerit points in New Zealand. It is the offences issued by an officer that load up your record.

If you are near the limit

NZTA sends a warning notice once you reach 50 points. If you are close to 100, the next infringement may be the one that costs you your licence, so it is worth thinking carefully before simply paying a ticket. In some cases an infringement can be challenged, and if the matter is one that goes to court, how it is resolved can affect whether the points apply at all.

One useful detail

If a court disqualifies you for six months or more, the demerit points on your licence are cancelled. That interaction between court outcomes and the points system is the kind of thing that is easy to miss and occasionally works in your favour. If a suspension is looming, or you are facing a charge on top of an already loaded record, it is worth getting advice. Our guide on losing your licence goes into more detail.