Land Transport Act 1998, ss 88–91

Under the demerit points system you can receive a suspension or disqualification for an accumulated record of poor driving. For certain driving offences you get a specific number of demerit points for the offence, as well as the other penalties for the offence such as a fine. If you accumulate 100 demerit points within two years, you’ll lose your licence for three months.

Land Transport Act 1998, s 88 Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999, reg 6, Schedule 2

Demerit points are given for all speeding offences (except those recorded by a speed camera) and for a range of other traffic offences.

The number of points you get depends on the type of offence – for example:

• driving over the speed limit by 10 km/h – 10 points
• breaching the conditions of your licence – 20 points
• careless or inconsiderate driving – 35 points
• driving over the speed limit by more than 35 km/h – 50 points
• driving over the under-20 alcohol limits – 50 points
• adult drivers with breath-alcohol between 250 and 400 mcg – 50 points.

Land Transport Act 1998, s 112

Note: If you appeal your conviction for the offence, the demerit points won’t take effect while you’re waiting for the result of your appeal.

Land Transport Act 1998, s 89

If you’ve accumulated 50 or more demerit points, the NZ Transport Agency will send you a notice telling you this and telling you what will happen if you get more points. However, any suspension or disqualification you get later will still be valid even if you didn’t get this warning notice.

If you accumulate 100 or more demerit points in any two-year period, the NZTA must suspend your licence for three months. If you haven’t got a current licence, you’ll be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for three months instead. At this point your demerit points are wiped from your record.

Land Transport Act 1998, s 88(4)

Note: For the purpose of working out how many points you’ve accumulated over what period of time, demerit points are taken as being given on the date on which you committed the offence, not the date on which you were convicted for it.

Land Transport Act 1998, s 91

Demerit points will be cleared from your record if:

• your licence is suspended (or you’re disqualified) because of accumulated demerit points, or
• you go for two years without committing any offences that attract demerit points, or
• you’re disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for six months or more.