If you commit a traffic offence anywhere in Australia, demerit points may be allocated and recorded on your traffic history. Your traffic history is a record of all of your road rules related offences, as well as any drink-driving, drug-driving, dangerous driving or vehicle registration offences you have committed.
Demerit points
apply from the date you commit an offence and are recorded once you have either paid the fine or been dealt with by a court.
Double demerit points apply all year round for certain repeat mobile phone, seatbelt, speeding and motorcycle helmet offences committed within 1 year of the previous offence.
Description of offenceLegislationPointsFine
Failing to give way when making a U-turn
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 38
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a pedestrian when turning at an intersection with traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 62(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a vehicle when turning left at a left turn on red after stopping sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 62(1)(b)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a vehicle when turning right at an intersection with traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 62(1)(c)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when turning at an intersection without a traffic light-stop sign when the traffic lights are not operating or partly operating
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 63(3)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a pedestrian or vehicle on the road being entered at an intersection with a flashing yellow traffic arrow
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 64(a)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a vehicle when turning right at an intersection with a flashing yellow traffic arrow
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 64(c)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way at a marked foot crossing with a flashing yellow traffic light (other than at an intersection)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 65(2)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way at an intersection (other than a T-intersection or roundabout)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 72(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way at a T-intersection
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 73(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when entering a road from a road-related area
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 74(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when entering a road-related area from a road
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 75(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a bus leaving a bus-stop on a road in a built-up area with a signposted speed limit not more than 70 km/h
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 77(1)
| 3
| $258
|
Failing to give way to emergency vehicle displaying flashing blue or red lights or sounding an alarm
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 79(1)
| 3
| $335
|
Failing to stop for a pedestrian on a children’s crossing
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(2)(b)
| 3
| $431
|
Proceeding before a pedestrian has left a children’s crossing
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(4)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 81(2)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a pedestrian in a shared zone
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 83
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when driving through a break in a dividing strip
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 84(1)(b)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when entering a turning lane from a painted island
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 85
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to another vehicle in a median turning bay when entering the bay
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 86(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when moving from the side or shoulder of a road into a marked lane or line of traffic
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 87(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when turning from median strip parking area
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 87(3)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to vehicle travelling in another marked lane or line of traffic
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 148
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to another vehicle in marked lane when diverging to the left or right within the lane
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 148A
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to vehicle in front when merging into line of traffic
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 149
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when driving on a path as required
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 288(4)
| 3
| $335
|
Failing to give way when driving on a nature strip as required
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 289(2)
| 3
| $335
|
Description of offenceLegislationPointsFine
Disobeying a clearance or low clearance sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 102(1)
| 4
| $575
|
Disobeying an indication given by an official traffic sign - on a road other than a toll road
| TO(RUM) Act—Section 74(1)
| 3
| $57
|
Disobeying an indication given by an official traffic sign - on a toll road
| TO(RUM) Act—Section 74(1)
| 3
| $143
|
Driving in a marked lane with an overhead red diagonal cross displayed over the lane
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 152(2)
| 3
| $258
|
Failing to leave a marked lane with a flashing red diagonal cross displayed over the lane (without an excuse)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 152(3)
| 3
| $258
|
Disobeying a no U-turn sign on a length of road or at a break in dividing strip
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 39
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying a no U-turn sign at an intersection without traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 41
| 3
| $115
|
Failing to stop at a stop line at an intersection without traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 67(2)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a vehicle at a stop line at an intersection without traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 67(3)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a pedestrian at a stop line at an intersection without traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules-Section 67(4)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to stop at a stop sign or line (other than at an intersection, crossing or twin red lights)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 68(2)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a vehicle at a stop sign or line (other than at an intersection, crossing or twin red lights)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 68(3)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to a pedestrian or vehicle at a stop sign or line (other than at an intersection, crossing or twin red lights)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 68(3)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to approaching vehicles at a give way sign or line at an intersection
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 69(2)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when turning left from a slip lane
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 69(2A)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when turning at a give way sign or line at an intersection
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 69(3)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to another driver at a give way sign or line at intersection as required when also at give way sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 69A
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way to another driver at a stop sign or line at intersection as required
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 69A
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when facing a give way sign or line at a bridge or length of narrow road
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 70
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to give way when facing a give way sign or line (other than at an intersection, bridge or length of narrow road)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 71(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Disobeying a hand-held stop sign at a children’s crossing
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(2)(a)
| 3
| $431
|
Driving past a hand-held stop sign at a children’s crossing after stopping for the sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 80(3)
| 3
| $431
|
Disobeying a left turn only sign at an intersection
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 88(1)
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying a left lane must turn left sign at an intersection
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 88(2)
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying right turn only sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 89(1)
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying right lane must turn right sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 89(2)
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying a no turns sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 90
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying a no left turn sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 91(1)
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying a no right turn sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 91(2)
| 3
| $115
|
Disobeying a traffic lane arrow
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 92(1)
| 3
| $115
|
Driving past a no overtaking or passing sign on a bridge or length of road when an oncoming vehicle is on the bridge or road
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 93(1)(a)
| 3
| $201
|
Overtaking a vehicle on a bridge or length of road where a no overtaking or passing sign is displayed
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 93(1)(b)
| 3
| $201
|
Disobeying a no overtaking on bridge sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 94
| 3
| $201
|
Disobeying a keep clear sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 96(1)
| 3
| $220
|
Disobeying a no access sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 97(1)
| 3
| $172
|
Driving in contrary direction to a one-way sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 98(1)
| 3
| $201
|
Failing to drive left after passing a keep left sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 99(1)
| 3
| $201
|
Failing to drive right after passing a keep right sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 99(2)
| 3
| $201
|
Disobeying a no entry sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 100
| 3
| $201
|
Failing to stop at hand held stop sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 101(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Driving past hand held stop sign being displayed
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 101(2)
| 3
| $431
|
Disobeying a bridge load limit sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 103
| 3
| $143
|
Driving past no trucks sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 104
| 3
| $143
|
Disobeying a trucks must enter sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 105
| 3
| $143
|
Disobeying a no buses sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 106
| 3
| $143
|
Disobeying a buses must enter sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 107
| 3
| $143
|
Disobeying a trucks and buses must use low gear sign
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 108(1)
| 3
| $143
|
Disobeying a stop sign at a level crossing
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 121
| 3
| $431
|
Disobeying a give way sign at a level crossing
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 122
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to comply with an overhead green, white or yellow diagonal cross displayed over a marked lane
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 152(1)
| 3
| $258
|
Disobeying a traffic lane arrow in a roundabout
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 116
| 3
| $115
|
Driving on arrester bed or safety ramp when not necessary for road safety purposes to do so
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 101A(1)
| 3
| $201
|
Failing to keep left of the dividing line on a road (without an excuse)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 132(2)
| 3
| $258
|
Failing to keep left of 2 continuous dividing lines on a road (without an excuse)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 132(3)
| 3
| $258
|
Driving on a painted island (without an excuse)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 138(1)
| 3
| $258
|
Turning left contrary to a road marking
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 29(1)
| 3
| $115
|
Turning right contrary to a road marking at an intersection (other than a T-intersection)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 33(1)
| 3
| $115
|
Making an improper U-turn at an intersection
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 42
| 3
| $115
|
Driving across single continuous dividing line, a single continuous dividing line to the left of a broken dividing line or 2 parallel continuous dividing lines to perform U-turn
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 132(2A)
| 3
| $258
|
Entering bicycle storage area contrary to red traffic light
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 60A(1)
| 3
| $575
|
Driving in the contrary direction on a one-way service road
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 136
| 2
| $115
|
Failing to turn left at intersection on multi-lane road from slip lane on the multi-lane road
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 28(1A)
| 2
| $86
|
Starting a U-turn when unsafe to do so
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 37
| 2
| $115
|
Making a U-turn at an intersection with traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 40
| 2
| $115
|
Making a U-turn at a children's level, marked foot or pedestrian crossing
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 43
| 2
| $115
|
Making a U-turn at an intersection, where a road and road-related area intersect, with traffic lights
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 43
| 2
| $115
|
Making an improper entry into a roundabout from a multi-lane road
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 111(1)
| 2
| $86
|
Making an improper entry into a roundabout from a road with 2 or more lines of traffic travelling in same direction
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 111(1)
| 2
| $86
|
Increasing speed when being overtaken
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 145
| 2
| $86
|
Description of offenceLegislationPointsFine
Driving on a safety zone at or near a tram stop
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 162(1)
| 3
| $172
|
Driving to the left of a safety zone at or near a tram stop, at an unsafe speed
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 162(1)
| 3
| $172
|
Passing or overtaking a tram improperly
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 160 and 161
| 2
| $201
|
Failing to stop before passing rear of a tram stopped at tram stop other than at tram stop at far left side of road when driving behind rear of tram
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 163(2)
| 2
| $201
|
Failing to give way to tram entering or approaching a roundabout
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 114(2)
| 3
| $431
|
Driving past a tram stopped at tram stop other than at tram stop at far left side of road when pedestrians are crossing road between tram tracks and far left side of road when driving behind rear of tram
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 163(3)
| 2
| $201
|
Driving past a tram stopped at tram stop other than at tram stop at far left side of road at a speed over 10 km/h when driving behind rear of tram
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 163(4)
| 2
| $201
|
Failing to stop for a tram that stops at tram stop other than at tram stop at far left side of road when driving alongside or overtaking tram
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 164(2)
| 2
| $201
|
Driving past or overtaking a tram stopped at tram stop other than at tram stop at far left side of road when pedestrians are crossing road between tram tracks and far left side of road when previously driving alongside or overtaking tram
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 164(3)
| 2
| $201
|
Driving past a tram stopped at tram stop other than at tram stop at far left side of road at a speed over 10 km/h when previously driving alongside or overtaking tram
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 164(4)
| 2
| $201
|
Proceeding after being stopped beside a tram stop, if a tram is stopped at tram stop, other than at tram stop at far left side of road, when pedestrians are crossing road between tram tracks and far left side of road
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 164AA(2)
| 2
| $201
|
Driving past a tram stopped at tram stop, other than at tram stop at far left side of road, at a speed over 10 km/h when previously stopped behind a tram stop
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 164AA(3)
| 2
| $201
|
Driving in a tramway when not permitted
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 155A(1)
| 3
| $431
|
Failing to stop for a red T light (driver of tram)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 274
| 3
| $575
|
Failing to stop for a yellow T light (driver of tram)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 275
| 3
| $575
|
Driving past a red or yellow T light at an intersection after stopping for the light (driver of tram)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 277
| 3
| $575
|
Proceeding when a white T light or traffic arrow is no longer showing after stopping at an intersection (driver of tram)
| Queensland Road Rules—Section 279(2)
| 3
| $575
|
Description of offenceLegislationPointsFine
Drive, park or permit use of a light vehicle when stationary noise level is at least 10dB(A) above the vehicle standards
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $287
|
Drive, park or permit use of a light vehicle that is longer than 12.5m long
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $287
|
Drive, park or permit use of a light combination that is longer than 19m long
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $287
|
Drive, park or permit use of a light vehicle that is more than 2.5m wide
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $287
|
Drive, park or permit use of a light vehicle that is more than 4.3m high
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $287
|
Drive, park or permit use of a vehicle that does not comply with the light vehicle standards
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $143
|
Drive, park or permit use of a light vehicle when a component: - does not comply with the light vehicle standards, or
- a component of the vehicle can not be reasonably relied on to perform its intended function, or
- the component prevents, or is likely to prevent, another component from complying with the light vehicle standards or performing its intended function.
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $143
|
Drive, park or permit use of a light vehicle when a modification of the vehicle is not compliant
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $143
|
Drive, park or permit use of a light vehicle when the vehicle or a component of the vehicle is unsafe
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 3
| $287
|
Modifying a light vehicle's exhaust system in a way that reduces, or is likely to reduce, the effectiveness of the system.
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 8(1)
| 1
| $287
|
Driving a light vehicle if the exhaust system has been modified in a way that reduces, or is likely to reduce, the effectiveness of the system.
| Vehicle Standards and Safety Reg—Section 20
| 1
| $86
|
Description of offenceLegislationPointsFine
Driving a heavy vehicle contrary to a major defect notice
| Heavy Vehicle National Law—Section 529
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Driving a heavy vehicle contrary to a minor defect notice
| Heavy Vehicle National Law—Section 529
| 1
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
A person must not drive a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle on a road while the person is impaired by fatigue.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law —Section 228(1)
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Solo drivers—standard hours (severe breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the Standard hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the Standard hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 250(1)
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Solo drivers—standard hours (critical risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the Standard hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the Standard hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 250(1)
| 4
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Two-up drivers—standard hours (severe risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the Standard hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the Standard hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 251(1)
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Two-up drivers—standard hours (critical risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the Standard hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the Standard hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 251(1)
| 4
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Solo drivers—BFM hours (severe risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the BFM hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the BFM hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 254(1)
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Solo drivers—BFM hours (critical risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the BFM hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the BFM hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 254(1)
| 4
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Two-up drivers—BFM hours (severe risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the BFM hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the BFM hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law —Section 256(1)
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Two-up drivers—BFM hours (critical risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the BFM hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the BFM hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 256(1)
| 4
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Drivers—AFM hours (severe risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the AFM hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the AFM hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 258(1)
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Drivers—AFM hours (critical risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the AFM hours for the period; or
- rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the AFM hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 258(1)
| 4
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Drivers—work and rest hours exemption (severe risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the exemption hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the exemption hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 260(1)
| 3
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Drivers—work and rest hours exemption (critical risk breach): - in any period exceeds the maximum work time stated in the exemption hours for the period; or
- in any period rests for less than the minimum rest time stated in the exemption hours for the period.
| Heavy Vehicle National Law — Section 260(1)
| 4
| Refer to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website
|
Failing to obey traffic lights, both red-light and red-light arrow, incurs a penalty of $462 and three demerit points.
Those caught running a red light will also have to pay more – with the fines raised from $413 to $575 from July 1. The strictest change is for drivers and front-seat passengers caught not wearing a seatbelt, which will increase from a $413 fine and three demerit points, to $1,078 and four demerit points.