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.

Demerit Points & Fines in South Australia (2026-27)

12 points on a full licence triggers suspension

12 or more points within 3 years (full licence).

SA expiation fees (Road Traffic (Miscellaneous) Regulations, 1 July 2026) · 2026-27 schedule

South 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.

SA traffic offences — points and fines, 2026-27
Offence	Points	Fine
Speeding by less than 10 km/h Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	2	$215
Speeding by 10–19 km/h Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	3	$484
Speeding by 20–29 km/h Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	5	$987
Speeding by 30–44 km/h Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	7	$1,793
Speeding by 45 km/h or more (excessive speed) Licence consequence: police may issue an immediate licence disqualification/suspension notice of up to 6 months (Road Traffic Act 1961 s 45B) Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	9	$2,018
Using a handheld mobile phone Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	3	$592
Driver not wearing a seatbelt Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	3	$463
Failing to ensure a passenger is restrained Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	3	$463
Running a red light · details Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	3	$592
Drink driving — BAC 0.05 to under 0.08 (expiable) Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	4	$904
Drug driving — drug presence (expiable) Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	4	$904
Driving an unregistered vehicle · details Victims of Crime levy: $108 on top of the fine.	0	$502
Fine basis: Expiation fee 2026-27, plus the $108 Victims of Crime levy added to every notice. Court-only offences carry no on-the-spot fine; where a figure is shown it is the court-imposed maximum.

How SA compares with the other states

Each state's lowest drink-driving range, first offence, full licence: SA's $904 fine ranks 2nd highest of the 6 states with an on-the-spot fine; the highest is WA ($1,000) and the lowest NT ($400).
Drug presence, first offence: SA's $904 fine ranks 2nd highest of the 6 states with an on-the-spot fine; the highest is WA ($1,250) and the lowest NT ($400).
Speeding 12 km/h over the limit: SA's $484 fine ranks 2nd highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine; the highest is QLD ($518) and the lowest NT ($150).
Speeding 27 km/h over the limit: SA's $987 fine is the highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine, $687 more than the lowest (NT, $300).

SA against the other states, like for like
Offence compared	SA fine	Rank (1 = highest)	Highest	Lowest
Each state's lowest speeding band	$215	4 of 8	ACT $394	WA $100
Holding or using a handheld phone while driving (full licence)	$592	4 of 8	QLD $1,295	TAS $426
Driver not wearing a seatbelt	$463	5 of 8	QLD $1,295	VIC $418
Running a red light	$592	3 of 8	QLD $690	TAS $213
Each state's lowest drink-driving range, first offence, full licence	$904	2 of 6	WA $1,000	NT $400
Drug presence, first offence	$904	2 of 6	WA $1,250	NT $400
Driving an unregistered vehicle (shortest lapse where the fine depends on it)	$502	4 of 6	VIC $1,046	TAS $266.25
Speeding 12 km/h over the limit	$484	2 of 8	QLD $518	NT $150
Speeding 27 km/h over the limit	$987	1 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 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.

Every SA expiation notice also carries the $108 Victims of Crime levy on top of the fine shown.

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.

Compare a penalty across all 8 states

Other states

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

SA expiation fees (Road Traffic (Miscellaneous) Regulations, 1 July 2026)verified

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.