Drivers found guilty of committing a traffic offence in the state of Victoria are likely to receive penalties in the form of infringement notices, or more commonly, fines. In addition to fines, depending on the seriousness of the offence, demerit points or licence suspensions may apply. It is important to know how these penalties operate, as demerit points are likely to influence a driver’s future licence status.
What Are Demerit Points?
Demerit points are penalty points allocated to particular driving offences that, as a result, remain on a driver’s record for a period of three years. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, the points can range from 1 to 4. The retention of a certain amount of demerit points could lead to a suspension of the driver’s licence, or to other punitive measures. Each licence category has its own unique point quota that, in general, drivers are encouraged to track using the VicRoads’ Check Driver History service.
| Speed Limit Exceeded | Fine Amount (Full Licence) | Demerit Points | Licence Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 10 km/h | $254 | 1 | No |
| 10 km/h to 24 km/h | $407 | 3 | No |
| 25 km/h to 34 km/h | $560 – $661 | 3 | 3 months |
| 35 km/h to 44 km/h | $763 – $865 | 3 or 6 | 6 months |
| 45 km/h or more | $1,018 | 4 | 12 months |
Penalty for Speeding for Learner Licence Holders
Every speeding offence incurs a distinct fine and varying demerit points depending on the degree to which the speed limit has been crossed. There are also automatic suspensions of the licence for certain severe violations. Below is a simplified table showing certain speeding fines and demerit points which took effect from July 2025.
Penalty for Speeding in Heavy Vehicles
Heavy vehicles are subjected to steeper fines and comparable demerit point systems due to the heightened risk that comes with their. The fines also increase drastically for speeding along with the limit, giving the scope of more dangerous the situation. For instance, under the speed limit fine of $356 and one demerit point is charged for driving at the suppose. However, for 45km/h over the limit, fines exceed $2,300 with additional suspensions of the license for 12 months.
Additional Frequent Violations and Their Punishments
Disobeying traffic lights results in a fine of $509 and 3 demerit points. The offence includes driving unregistered vehicles, which is heavily fined, ranging from $1,018 for two-axle vehicles, going up to $1,832 for more. Companies must identify the ‘nominated’ drivers of their vehicles who are deemed responsible for the violations. However, if they fail to do so, they are subjected to fines with a limit that can go up to $24,421 for repetitively not complying with the regulations.
What When An Infringemnt Notice Has Been Served?
In the case of fines, the payer must settle the bill by the due date or take other steps such as filing a dispute. Ignoring payments as the due date approaches will potentially result in progressive penalties such as a Penalty Reminder Notice coupled with a late fee. Subsequently this will lead to a Notice of Final Demand with associated enforcement warrants actionable by the sheriff. In the extreme there may be a persistent driver or vehicle non-compliance.
Informed violators usually research the roads and learn about the consequences of fines and demerits to help shape their behaviors. Getting more information or wanting to learn about the current fines, the pages of Transport Victoria and VicRoads will provide reliable information.
1. Are there any special fines for the fines for heavy vehicle drivers?
Heavy vehicles have more defined fines as well as more severe associated demerit point penalties.
2. Traffic Offences. Can an employer be penalised for a driver’s traffic offence?
Yes, a company can face hefty penalties when failing to identify the accountable driver.
