Lose your licence without driving
We all know speeding, using your mobile phone and drink driving can lead to demerit points and losing your licence.
But did you know there are non-driving related offences that can lead to you losing your licence? Here are five ways you can lose your licence without even getting behind the wheel.
1. Passengers without seatbelts
If a passenger is caught not wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, the driver can be fined $422 plus a $99 Victims of Crime Levy and receive three demerit points. If there’s more than one passenger not wearing the correct seatbelt or restraint, the driver can be fined $499, plus a $99 Victims of Crime Levy and five demerit points.
It’s not only the driver who could be in strife if passengers aren’t wearing their seatbelts. Passengers over the age of 16 who fail to buckle up will receive a $422 fine, $99 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points. If they have a learners permit or provisional licence, they’ll only need one more demerit point before they have their licence disqualified.
2. Passengers sitting in the tray or trailer
On the topic of passengers, failing to wear a seatbelt isn’t the only offence that attracts fines and demerit points.
Passengers busted sitting in the back of a ute or trailer risk a $422 fine, plus a $99 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points.
The same fines apply for people riding in the back of a van or station wagon.
Passengers behaving badly
The fine plus Victims of Crime Levy for passengers sitting in the back of a ute or trailer.
3. Unpaid fines or state debts
Do you have any unpaid fines? If you do, you might want to pay them sooner rather than later. You could have your licence suspended if overdue fines remain unpaid, and you won’t be allowed to drive a vehicle or supervise a learner driver.
If you drive while your licence is suspended, you might receive more fines and penalties.
A licence suspension is different to a disqualification and can occur regardless of the number of demerit points you have accrued. If you’re licence is suspended, you’ll need to pay your fines in full to have it reinstated.
If you owe the state any money – this includes ambulance fees, school fees or even COVID quarantine accommodation – you could be banned from renewing your car registration and driver’s licence. You also won’t be able to sell a car and transfer ownership.
4. Graffiti
Those graffiti tags or ‘artwork’ might seem harmless, but they could result in severe consequences. You might even lose your licence.
Vandals busted marking graffiti on multiple occasions could lose their driver’s licence for up to six months and get a fine of up to $5000 or even a 12-month prison sentence.
5. Breaking the rules on a bike
Riding a bike doesn’t mean you’re exempt from the road rules. In fact, cyclists can get fines and 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 offences can result in three demerit points and a variety of fines.
Cyclists can also be fined and receive demerit points for riding a bicycle while under the influence. If convicted, you’ll be fined up to $500 and will accrue up to six demerit points on your driver’s licence.