KEY POINTS:
- When a driver is caught committing a driving offence, they can receive demerit points.
- The number of demerit points issued depends on the severity of the driving offence.
- If you earn too many demerit points within a certain period, your licence will be suspended: you’ll lose your licence for three months if you receive 100+ demerits within a two-year period.
- Demerit points expire after two years, and if you’re disqualified from driving for over six months, all your demerit points will be wiped.
- If you’re disqualified for more than a year, you need to retake your theory and practical driving tests to requalify for your licence.
What are demerit points?
Demerit points are part of New Zealand’s penalty point system, which aims to decrease dangerous driving and road incidents. When a driver is caught driving recklessly or committing a driving offence, they can receive demerit points. If you earn too many demerit points within a certain period, your licence will be suspended.
How many demerits can I have?
Your licence will be suspended for three months if you receive 100 or more active demerits within a two-year period. If you don’t have a current licence, you’ll be banned from holding or obtaining a licence for three months.
It’s important to note that demerit points expire after two years. If you’re disqualified from driving for six or more months, all your demerit points will be wiped.
What are demerits issued for?
Demerit points are issued if you’re caught committing a driving offence, such as speeding or driving while intoxicated. The more serious the offence, the more demerit points you’ll receive.
For example, if you exceed the speed limit by less than 10km/h you’ll receive 10 demerit points. However, if you exceed the speed limit by more than 35km/h you’ll receive 50 demerit points.
You can get demerit points for:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol
- Not stopping for alcohol breath testing
- Using your phone while driving
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Breaking your licence conditions (e.g. not displaying L plate or driving with passengers)
- Driving without a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) or Registration (Rego)
- Breaking the road rules (e.g. not stopping at a stop sign)
Demerits are often issued alongside a fine or the impoundment of a vehicle.
How can I check my demerits?
If you get 50 or more demerit points, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) must send you a letter. However, there are other ways to check your demerit points.
Call NZTA
You can call NZTA on 0800 822 422, weekdays between 8am-5.30pm. You’ll need:
- Driver licence number
- Licence holder’s full name
- Licence holder’s date of birth
- Email address
- Mobile number
View your demerits online
If you have a verified RealMe account you are able to view your current demerit point total online at the NZTA website.
How do I get my licence back?
At the end of a three-months suspension, you can apply to have your licence reinstated and receive a new licence.
If you were disqualified for more than a year, you’ll need to retake your theory and practical driving tests to requalify for your licence.
Compare Outstanding Value Car Insurance with Canstar
Looking for great value car insurance for you and your family? Each year, we release our car insurance awards, including winners for Insurer of the Year, Outstanding Value, and Most Satisfied Customers. As part of our award results, we also publish our Outstanding Value Star Ratings, covering car insurance for different age groups. Below are our top-rated providers in the drivers aged 30-49 category. Click here to view our complete car insurance Star Ratings for all age groups.
Comprehensive Cover: Drivers 30-49:
| Provider | Star Rating |
Car Insurer of the Year |
  |
 |
|
 |
 |
See here for our ratings methodology. The table above is an abridged version of our research. For the full results of our latest Car Insurance Ratings and Award, click here.
About the author of this page
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.
Share this article