Published: Monday, September 17, 2018
Speeding, drink-driving, and running red lights are all offences that will accrue demerit points, but there are also a few ways you can lose your licence without even getting behind the wheel. Words: Jeremy Rochow
Passengers behaving badly
You don’t have to be driving the car to get demerit points; passengers can also be fined for a number of offences.
The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are wearing a seatbelt or approved child restraints while travelling in a vehicle.
However, passengers over the age of 16 who fail to buckle up will also receive a $363 fine plus $60 Victim of Crimes Levy and 3 demerit points.
Passengers can also get demerit points if they have a body part outside of the window, door or sunroof, of if they’re caught riding in the back of a ute or truck.
The same fines apply for people busted riding in the back of a van or station wagon that doesn’t have seats.
Motorcycle passengers aren’t exempt either – failure to wear an approved helmet can result in a fine and 3 demerit points.
Repeat graffiti offences
It may come as a surprise, but if you’re a repeat graffiti offender, you could lose your driver’s licence.
A vandal busted marking graffiti on multiple occasions could lose their driver’s licence for up to 6 months, and get a fine of up to $5000 or 12 months’ imprisonment.
Vandalism offences between June 2017 and May 2018
Between 2013 (when the Graffiti Control Act was introduced) and 2017, 8 people had their drivers licence suspended due to recurring offending.
The crackdown led to a drop in vandalism offences, with 1486 graffiti offences recorded in SA between 2014 to 2016, compared to 2226 in the proceeding three years.
Breaking rules on a bicycle
Cyclists can get demerit points for a range of infringements.
Riding more than 1.5m apart while next to another cyclist on the road is a no-no – so is riding alongside more than one other cyclist. Both these offences can result in 3 demerit points and a range of fines.
Cyclists can also be fined and get demerit points for riding a bicycle while under the influence. If convicted, you’ll be fined up to $500 and will accrue up to 6 demerit points on your driver’s licence or learner’s permit.
You could be fined this much if you're busted riding a bicycle under the influence
How many demerit points does it take to lose your licence?
If you’re on your full licence, you’ll be disqualified if you accrue 12 or more demerit points.
Motorists on their learner’s permit or provisional licence will be disqualified from driving if they accrue 4 or more demerit points.