One million New South Wales drivers have been rewarded for driving safely, as part of the second year of the state's demerit point return scheme. Drivers who remained offence-free over the past 12 months had a demerit point removed from their licence, highlighting a major success for road safety initiatives.
Dylan Anderson
The Minns Labor Government introduced the scheme to offer a 'carrot' alongside the traditional 'stick' of fines, double demerits, and licence suspensions. The results show a strong positive impact, with car-reliant areas of Western Sydney and regional NSW leading the way.
Where Drivers Benefited Most
More than 420,000 drivers have now had a point removed two years in a row. Blacktown topped the list with over 6000 drivers receiving a point wipe, followed by Castle Hill, Merrylands, Auburn, and Maroubra.
Regional drivers also saw strong results, with drivers from Orange, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, and Coffs Harbour notching up over 16,000 points removed collectively.
Suburb highlights:
- Blacktown: 6093 points removed
- Castle Hill: 5160 points removed
- Merrylands: 4864 points removed
- Orange: 4525 points removed
- Dubbo: 4506 points removed
Scheme Changes for 2026
As the scheme moves into its third year, the government has announced a key change. Starting in 2026, the 12-month safe driving period will end on January 31, instead of earlier in the month. This adjustment places greater emphasis on safe driving during the high-risk holiday period.
Currently, there are 1,483,926 drivers eligible to benefit if they remain offence-free until 31 January 2026.
Dylan Anderson
Expanded Road Safety Measures
The NSW Government continues to strengthen road safety through additional measures:
- Average speed cameras trial for light vehicles in 2025
- Expansion of mobile speed camera deployment sites
- Seatbelt enforcement using mobile phone detection cameras
- Requiring all foreign licence holders to convert to a NSW licence within six months
- New bicycle helmet safety ratings
- Signing the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth
Leadership Voices
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"The number one aim of rewarding drivers with a demerit point removal is safety. There is no acceptable road toll and that’s why we are using both the carrot and the stick approach to encouraging safer driving."
"Every one of the million drivers who succeeded over the past 12 months should be congratulated because their safe actions helped make NSW roads safer."
Minister for Roads John Graham added:
"We are offering a very personal incentive to drive safely, but the broader effect is that safety on our roads is enhanced overall when people are making the right decisions."
"From 2026, the trial period will now end on January 31. This was a very deliberate decision so that we can place even more emphasis on road safety during the critical summer holiday period."
Dylan Anderson
The demerit point reward scheme is open to eligible unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points, reinforcing the government’s continued commitment to safer roads across NSW.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
