Everyone is guilty of breaking the speed limit. Maybe you ran at 61 km/h in the 60 zone or accelerated up to 120 km/h on the highway to overtake other traffic.
- Some states will immediately revoke your license if you are caught speeding
- Speeding laws vary by state and territory
- Easiest way to avoid immediate loss of license? Don’t speed up!
We made a story about each state and territory’s highest speed limit in Australia already, but what if you do it wrong? Like, really, doing the wrong thing?
There are a number of jurisdictions in Australia that will immediately revoke your license if you are caught speeding in accordance with the laws of that region. In this story, we’ll see which states do it and what the thresholds are.
New South Wales
In NSW and Sydney, if you commit a traffic offence, the police can immediately suspend your license or you could be stripped of your driving privileges by a court, according to the NSW government’s transport agency.
Immediate police suspension of a license can occur due to any of the following:
- A serious accident that causes death or serious bodily harm
- Over speeding over 45km/h (with full driver’s license)
- Speeding over 30 km/h (people who are learning to drive or have a temporary license)
- Driving with a prescribed alcohol concentration (PCA) or under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs
- Engage in street racing and other hoon offenses
- Unsupervised driving (learner license holder)
You can also lose your license not only because violators caught speeding above 45 km/h risk having their vehicle impounded or revoked, or having their license plates confiscated.
Victoria
The rules are similar in Melbourne and Victoria, which introduced an immediate license suspension in 2020. The immediate license suspension is effective immediately and lasts until “a court decision is made. an allegation, or a suspension or cancellation relating to a Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN) commences, or the court withdraws the charge, or the suspension is revoked upon appeal.
According to VicRoads, the immediate license suspension will apply to:
- A person is arrested for driving at a speed limit of 45 km/h or more or 145 km/h or more in an area of 110 km/h (these drivers may also have their vehicle impounded)
- A person who is charged with murder, attempted murder, a serious violent crime, or serious bodily injury if they used a motor vehicle to commit the offence, and it resulted in death or bodily injury. volume
Queensland
Brisbanites and QLDers don’t lose their licenses immediately, which requires those caught speeding at extremes to go through the process of ticking the box.
According to your Queensland Driving Keys—November 19, 2022:
“If you are found to be driving at more than 40km/h over the speed limit, you will normally receive a violation notice for the offence. As soon as you pay the fine, the fine has been processed by the court, or if it is referred to State Penalty Enforcement for non-payment, you will receive a Driver’s License Forfeiture Notice. for a Speeding Violation, state that your license will be suspended. suspended for six months from a stated date. Additionally, eight demerit points will be recorded in your traffic history for this offence.”
South Australia
According to the South Australian government, motorists caught speeding will face consequences.
“If you are caught speeding at 45 km/h or more, you will be fined as follows: automatically stripped of your driver’s license for 6 months; nine minus points; maturity fee.”
That doesn’t include any potential fines for the offence.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, there were no cases of immediate license cancellation or disqualification for speed violations.
However, the state is very strict on drink/drug driving, with Western Australia’s department of transport stating: “Police have the authority to immediately disqualify an individual from driving when there is physical evidence that the person’s blood alcohol level (BAC) is above the legal limit. legal limits.”
tasmania
In Tassie there is a provision for the revocation of a driver’s license, among other driving offenses.
“If you are stripped of your right to drive, your license will be suspended or canceled for a certain period of time. This means you won’t be able to drive during your disqualification (and may have to become a novice driver).
Driving violations for which you may be disqualified include:
- Court order under the Vehicles and Traffic Act 1999, Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970, Police Crimes Act 1935, Sentencing Act 1997 and Traffic Act 1925
- Record BAC between 0.05 and 0.1 for first violation
- An offense to unaccompanied learners
- Speeding at 38km/h or more
ACT
In the Australian Capital Territory, there is no provision for immediate license suspension or disqualification for speeding. However, if you are charged and end up in court, your license may be suspended.
NT
The Northern Territory doesn’t have any rules about immediate or immediate license suspensions for speeding offenses, but if you have to go to court it’s likely your license will be suspended. only.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
