More than one million New South Wales drivers are being rewarded for their clean driving records with a demerit point removed from their licences, as part of the second year of the Minns Labor Government's road safety initiative.
Dylan Anderson
This reward scheme, aimed at encouraging safer driving habits, benefits those who have remained offence-free for a 12-month period. It serves as a positive counterbalance to the punitive aspects of road enforcement, such as fines and licence suspensions.
A Widespread Impact Across NSW
Of the nearly 1.5 million drivers eligible to have a demerit point removed, 1,003,610 successfully stayed offence-free over the past year. Notably, more than 420,000 drivers have now had a demerit point wiped two years in a row.
Suburbs like Blacktown (6,093 drivers), Castle Hill (5,160), and Merrylands (4,864) top the list of locations where the most drivers have had points removed. Regional areas also featured prominently, with drivers in Orange, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, and Coffs Harbour collectively accounting for over 16,000 points removed.
Upcoming Changes in 2026
Starting in 2026, the 12-month eligibility period will extend to January 31. This adjustment is designed to further emphasise road safety during the high-risk summer holiday season.
As of January 2025, 1,483,926 drivers are in the running to have a point removed next year if they continue to drive safely through to the end of January 2026.
Dylan Anderson
Additional Safety Measures
The demerit point return scheme is just one part of a wider set of reforms to enhance road safety across NSW. Initiatives introduced or expanded in 2024 and continuing in 2025 include:
- Average speed camera trials for light vehicles
- 2,700 new mobile speed camera deployment sites
- Seatbelt enforcement through existing mobile phone detection cameras
- Mandatory licence conversion for all motorists on foreign licences within six months
- Implementation of Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce recommendations
- Expansion of the bicycle helmet star rating system
- NSW signing the National Road Safety Data Agreement
A Balanced Approach: Carrot and Stick
Premier Chris Minns praised the scheme, stating: "There is no acceptable road toll. That’s why we are using both the carrot and the stick to encourage safer driving."
Minister for Roads John Graham added: "If you drive for a living, this could mean keeping your job. We want drivers to know that safe driving isn't just responsible—it's rewarded."
Dylan Anderson
Top 10 Suburbs for Demerit Point Removal:
| Suburb | Demerit Points Removed |
|---|---|
| Blacktown | 6,093 |
| Castle Hill | 5,160 |
| Merrylands | 4,864 |
| Auburn | 4,785 |
| Maroubra | 4,594 |
| Orange | 4,525 |
| Bankstown | 4,516 |
| Dubbo | 4,506 |
| Port Macquarie | 4,438 |
| Ryde | 4,422 |
With a growing number of safe drivers being acknowledged, the program reflects a cultural shift towards more responsible driving across NSW. The Government is optimistic that this approach will lead to further reductions in road trauma and greater awareness of the importance of everyday road safety.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
