Seeking leniency due to a good driving record
If you have been driving for the previous 10 years within Australia, and had no demerit point offences, we may waive the penalty notice and replace it with a caution if the offence is not serious.
If you are unsure of your traffic history, you can check your demerit points on the RMS website or contact RMS. If eligible, contact us and we will check for any offences yet to reach your RMS record and consider your claim for a caution.
If part or all of your traffic record in the last 10 years is recorded interstate, please contact the issuing authority to supply a transcript confirming you have had no demerit point offences in the full ten years.
Note: where the State/Territory is unable to provide a transcript for the full 10 years, we are unable to consider leniency.
Situations where you cannot claim leniency
You cannot use a good driving record to claim leniency for:
- parking or driving offences with no demerit points
- demerit point offences in school zones
- serious speeding offences, more than 30 km/hr over the limit
- burnout offences
- unlicensed driving or riding
- driving unregistered or uninsured vehicle
- probationary licence holders
- anyone holding a licence for less than 10 years
- bicycle offences
- driving with unrestrained children
- driving with two or more unrestrained passengers
- driving without seatbelt fastened
- use of radar detectors.
SDRO is unable to consider overseas driving histories.
If you are seeking leniency on other grounds, you need to write to us or complete a Request Review of Penalty Notice form.
Last updated:
24-Jan-2012
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