Demerit Points & Fines in South Australia (2026-27)
12 or more points within 3 years (full licence).
SA expiation fees (Road Traffic (Miscellaneous) Regulations, 1 July 2026) · 2026-27 scheduleSouth Australia does not run a holiday double-demerit scheme, so points do not increase over long weekends or the Christmas break. It instead uses an expiation system, where many offences are dealt with by an on-the-spot notice rather than a court appearance. One feature catches people out: a Victims of Crime levy is added on top of the expiation fee for the offence itself, so the total payable is higher than the headline penalty suggests.
Drink-driving at the lower range can be expiated, but doing so still comes with an immediate loss of licence, so an on-the-spot resolution is not the same as walking away without consequence. The schedule shown here carries the date of the version it was drawn from.
| Offence | Points | Fine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding by less than 10 km/h | 2 | $215 | Details |
| Speeding by 10–19 km/h | 3 | $484 | Details |
| Speeding by 20–29 km/h | 5 | $987 | Details |
| Speeding by 30–44 km/h | 7 | $1,793 | Details |
| Speeding by 45 km/h or more (excessive speed) | 9 | $2,018 | Details |
| Using a handheld mobile phone | 3 | $592 | Details |
| Driver not wearing a seatbelt | 3 | $463 | Details |
| Failing to ensure a passenger is restrained | 3 | $463 | Details |
| Running a red light | 3 | $592 | Details |
| Drink driving — BAC 0.05 to under 0.08 (expiable) | 4 | $904 | Details |
| Drug driving — drug presence (expiable) | 4 | $904 | Details |
| Driving an unregistered vehicle | 0 | $502 | Details |
| Court-only offences show the court-imposed maximum on their detail page, not an on-the-spot fine. | |||
Losing your licence in SA
| Licence type | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Full / open licence | 12 or more points within 3 years (full licence). |
| Provisional / learner | Learner and provisional: 4 points; probationary: 2 points. |
Double demerits in SA
South Australia has no holiday double-demerit scheme. Points are not increased over the Christmas break, Easter or any long weekend, and the values shown in the schedule apply consistently through the year. As always, more visible enforcement over holiday periods does not change the points themselves.
Frequently asked questions
- How many demerit points can you get in SA before losing your licence?
- 12 or more points within 3 years (full licence). Learner and provisional: 4 points; probationary: 2 points.
- Does SA have double demerits?
South Australia has no holiday double-demerit scheme. Points are not increased over the Christmas break, Easter or any long weekend, and the values shown in the schedule apply consistently through the year. As always, more visible enforcement over holiday periods does not change the points themselves.
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.