As a new motorcycle rider in New South Wales, you might be juggling a Learner or Provisional (P1/P2) licence for your bike alongside a full car licence. This combination can lead to some tricky situations when it comes to demerit points and licence suspensions. Let's break down this complex issue and shed some light on what you need to know.

For this example, we are assuming you hold a L, P1, P2 and full car licence.

The Basics: Understanding Your Licence Limits

First things first, let's clarify the demerit point limits for NSW Licence:

  • Full (unrestricted) car licence also known as "Blacks" or "Gold": 13 points
  • Learner (L) or Provisional P1 motorcycle licence: 4 points
  • Provisional P2 motorcycle licence: 7 points

How Demerit Points Work Across Licences

Here's where it gets interesting. The NSW system tracks points for each licence class separately, but they can also affect each other. Confused? You're not alone. Let's look at some scenarios.

Scenario 1: Speeding on Your Motorcycle

Imagine you're on your L or P1 motorcycle licence and you get caught doing 68 km/h in a 60 zone. That's a 4-point offense. Here's what happens:

  • 4 points are recorded against your motorcycle licence
  • Your motorcycle licence is suspended (as you've hit the 4-point limit)
  • These points also count towards your car licence total, but won't suspend it if you have more then 5 point's remaining ie. you're at 4/13 points

Scenario 2: Using Your Phone While Driving Your Car

Now, let's say you use your phone while driving your car - a 5-point offense:

  • 5 points are added to your car licence (now at 5/13)
  • Your motorcycle licence points remain unchanged
  • Neither licence is suspended

Scenario 3: Multiple Offenses

If you accumulate 13 points across both licences, both will be suspended, regardless of which vehicle you were using when you got the points.

This system is based on Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 2013, which states:

  • Points from your car licence only count towards the car licence threshold
  • Points from your motorcycle licence can count towards either licence's threshold

What This Means for New Riders

  • Be Extra Cautious on Your Motorcycle: Even a single speeding offense can suspend your L or P1 motorcycle licence.
  • Understand the Cross-Impact: Motorcycle offenses can affect both licences, while car offenses primarily impact your car licence (unless you hit the overall limit).
  • Track Your Points Carefully: Use the NSW digital licence app to monitor points for each licence class.
  • Think Twice Before Offending: Remember, reaching your motorcycle limit doesn't just affect your riding - it puts you closer to losing your car licence too.
  • Suspension Isn't Always Universal: Just because your motorcycle licence is suspended doesn't automatically mean your car licence is too (unless you've exceeded both limits).

Q: Can I drive my car if Learner / P1 / P2 motorcycle license is suspended?

A: In most cases, yes. In NSW, motorcycle and car licenses are separate classes. If your motorcycle license is suspended due to demerit points or a specific offense, you can usually still drive your car if your car license remains valid. However, this depends on the nature of the offense and your overall demerit point status.

Q: What are the demerit point limits for different license types?

A: In NSW, the limits are:

  • Full (unrestricted) license: 13 points
  • Professional drivers: 14 points
  • P2 license: 7 points
  • P1 license: 4 points
  • Learner license: 4 points

Q: If I reach the demerit point limit on my motorcycle license, will my car license automatically be suspended?

A: Not necessarily. If you reach the limit on your motorcycle license (e.g., 4 points for L/P1), your motorcycle license will be suspended. However, your car license will only be suspended if its own limit (usually 13 points) is also reached.

Q: If my motorcycle license is suspended, do I need to do anything regarding my car license?

While you don't typically need to take action regarding your car license, it's always best to verify your license status with Service NSW. Ensure you comply with the motorcycle license suspension and don't ride a motorcycle during this period.

The Bottom Line

Navigating the demerit point system with combined licences can be tricky. The key is to drive and ride responsibly, regardless of which vehicle you're using.

Remember, the system is designed to promote safe behavior on all vehicles. If you find yourself facing a suspension or are unsure about your point status, it's always best to contact Transport for NSW directly. They can provide the most up-to-date and personalized information for your situation. Stay safe on the roads, whether you're on two wheels or four!

Sources:

ROAD TRANSPORT ACT 2013 - SECT 42 Determining demerit thresholds where combined licences are held
Transport for NSW
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Transport for NSW
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