Hundreds of Central Coast drivers will be eligible to have a demerit point scrubbed from their licence record as the NSW Government’s trial to encourage safer driving comes into effect six months sooner than flagged.
Drivers who have maintained a clean record since January 17 this year will need to continue that spotless behaviour until January 17 next year to qualify to have a demerit point removed from their record.
Announced during the March State election, the trial had originally been slated to start on July 1, but the Government has brought the date forward.
Transport for NSW will take a snapshot of the demerit point register as it stood on January 17 this year to identify all unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points recorded against them.
Under the 12-month trial, eligible motorists who have at least one demerit point on their record from January 17 but remain offence-free for 12 months to January 17, 2024, will have one demerit point removed from their driving record.
It normally takes three years for a demerit point to be expunged.
It is expected to take about three months to finalise offences, so eligible drivers will start seeing one demerit point removed from their records starting in mid-April 2024.
Learner and provisional licence holders are not included in the trial given they are subject to strict conditions of the Graduated Licensing Scheme.
Premier Chris Minns said the aim of the trail was to reduce the road toll and reward safe drivers.
“It’s time we put safety back at the centre of our road rules, not revenue raising,” he said.
“This is an appropriate way for good drivers to earn a point back.
“Our message couldn’t be clearer: drive safely and you’ll get a point scrubbed from your licence.
“The more people who qualify for a point, the safer our roads.”
Source:
NSW Government