Demerit Points & Fines in Queensland (2026-27)
12 points in 3 years on an open licence (suspension 3–5 months by tally).
Queensland Government demerit and fines schedule (1 July 2026) · 2026-27 scheduleQueensland's stand-out feature is how it defines a repeat offence. Rather than tying heavier penalties to holiday periods, the state runs its double-demerit loading all year round and triggers it on repetition: commit certain offences again within a set window and the points on the later offence are increased. This rewards a clean record and targets the drivers who keep reoffending in the same way.
Learner and provisional drivers work to much lower points caps than fully licensed drivers, so the margin before a suspension is thin. Queensland also sends every drink-driving matter to court rather than dealing with any of it by on-the-spot fine, which is covered in more detail under the drink-driving offence notes. The schedule shown here carries the date of the version it was drawn from.
| Offence | Points | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding by less than 11 km/h | 1 | $345 |
| Speeding by 11–20 km/h | 3 | $518 |
Speeding by 21–30 km/h · details
| 4 | $777 |
Speeding by 31–40 km/h
| 6 | $1,295 |
Speeding by more than 40 km/h
| 8 | $1,986 |
Using a handheld mobile phone · details
| 4 | $1,295 |
Driver not wearing a seatbelt · details
| 4 | $1,295 |
Failing to ensure a passenger is restrained
| 4 | $1,295 |
| Running a red light | 3 | $690 |
Low-range drink driving (0.05 to under 0.10)
| — | court (max $2,417) |
Mid-range drink driving (0.10 to under 0.15)
| — | court (max $3,454) |
High-range drink driving (0.15 and over) · details
| — | court (max $4,835) |
Drug driving — drug presence
| — | court (max $2,417) |
| Fine basis: Penalty as at 1 July 2026 (indexed 3.5%). Court-only offences carry no on-the-spot fine; where a figure is shown it is the court-imposed maximum. | ||
How QLD compares with the other states
- Each state's lowest speeding band: QLD's $345 fine ranks 2nd highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine; the highest is ACT ($394) and the lowest WA ($100).
- Holding or using a handheld phone while driving (full licence): QLD's $1,295 fine is the highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine, $869 more than the lowest (TAS, $426).
- Driver not wearing a seatbelt: QLD's $1,295 fine is the highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine, $877 more than the lowest (VIC, $418).
- Running a red light: QLD's $690 fine is the highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine, $477 more than the lowest (TAS, $213).
- Speeding 12 km/h over the limit: QLD's $518 fine is the highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine, $368 more than the lowest (NT, $150).
- Speeding 27 km/h over the limit: QLD's $777 fine ranks 2nd highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine; the highest is SA ($987) and the lowest NT ($300).
| Offence compared | QLD fine | Rank (1 = highest) | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each state's lowest speeding band | $345 | 2 of 8 | ACT $394 | WA $100 |
| Holding or using a handheld phone while driving (full licence) | $1,295 | 1 of 8 | QLD $1,295 | TAS $426 |
| Driver not wearing a seatbelt | $1,295 | 1 of 8 | QLD $1,295 | VIC $418 |
| Running a red light | $690 | 1 of 8 | QLD $690 | TAS $213 |
| Speeding 12 km/h over the limit | $518 | 1 of 8 | QLD $518 | NT $150 |
| Speeding 27 km/h over the limit | $777 | 2 of 8 | SA $987 | NT $300 |
| Each state's own band for the same conduct; court-only matters are not ranked against on-the-spot fines. | ||||
Losing your licence in QLD
| Licence type | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Full / open licence | 12 points in 3 years on an open licence (suspension 3–5 months by tally). |
| Provisional / learner | P1, P2 and learner: 4 points in 12 months. |
Double demerits in QLD
Queensland's double demerits are not linked to holidays; they run right through the year and are based on repeat offending. If you commit a further offence from the same defined group, which covers mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet breaches and high-range speeding, within the set period after an earlier one, the points on that later offence are doubled. A clean stretch resets the exposure, so the loading falls specifically on drivers who repeat the same kind of offence in a short space of time.
Frequently asked questions
- How many demerit points can you get in QLD before losing your licence?
- 12 points in 3 years on an open licence (suspension 3–5 months by tally). P1, P2 and learner: 4 points in 12 months.
- Does QLD have double demerits?
Queensland's double demerits are not linked to holidays; they run right through the year and are based on repeat offending. If you commit a further offence from the same defined group, which covers mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet breaches and high-range speeding, within the set period after an earlier one, the points on that later offence are doubled. A clean stretch resets the exposure, so the loading falls specifically on drivers who repeat the same kind of offence in a short space of time.
Compare a penalty across all 8 states
Other states
Penalties are the standard on-the-spot amounts for a first offence by a full-licence holder unless noted. Aggravated, repeat and court-elected matters differ. This is information, not legal advice.