Demerit points - Double or Nothing

 Download the Double or Nothing fact sheet (pdf 2.86 MB).

• Disqualification periods are now longer
  
  
• What is Double or Nothing? 
  
  
• Committing an offence when driving during a Good Behaviour Period may result in disqualification
  
  
• How the changes will work
  

Disqualification periods are now longer

If you accrue 12 demerit points or more the periods of disqualification have now increased as follows:

Once you are served with an Excessive Demerit Point Notice, you can either:

• Serve the period of disqualification based on the number of demerit points you have accrued as outlined in the table above or
  
  
• Choose to continue to drive by electing a Good Behaviour Period - Double or Nothing option.

Further details concerning Good Behaviour Periods, how to elect and what conditions are attached to them can be found below.

Please note: You cannot be issued an Extraordinary Driver's Licence for demerit point offences.

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What is Double or Nothing?

Double or Nothing is the option where a driver who has accrued 12 or more demerit points can continue to drive on a Good Behaviour Period.

However, if they accrue more than 1 demerit point in 12 months (the length of the Good Behaviour Period) they will receive double their original disqualification period.

By taking the Double or Nothing option you will not be disqualified from driving, which would normally happen when accruing 12 or more demerit points. Although you can continue to drive, for the next 12 months you must not commit any further driving offences.

Key points

• This Double or Nothing option replaces the disqualification period associated with the demerit points you have accrued.
  
  
• The Double or Nothing (Good Behaviour Period) lasts for 12 months.
  
  
• Committing any more driving offences that breach the Good Behaviour Period will result in double the original disqualification you received.
  
  
• An Extraordinary Driver's Licence can no longer be issued for demerit point offences

What if I don't elect to take the Double or Nothing option?

If you do not take the Double or Nothing option, the disqualification associated with the amount of demerit points you have accrued will begin 28 days after you have been served a Excessive Demerit Point Notice.

You have 21 days from when you are served the Excessive Demerit Point Notice to elect to continue to drive by taking the Double or Nothing option. Once this deadline has lapsed, you cannot elect to take the Double or Nothing option.

Please note: You can no longer obtain a Extraordinary Driver's Licence for demerit point offences.

Are there any reasons why I can't elect to take the Double or Nothing option?

All Western Australian driver’s licence holders can elect to the take the Double or Nothing option, unless:

• They hold a provisional driver’s licence.
  
  
• Their licence is already disqualified.
  
  
• Their licence is invalid for any other reason.
  
  
• Their licence is under fines suspension. (If the fines are paid to clear this suspension within the 21 day election deadline a driver can elect to drive on Good Behaviour Period).
  

How do I elect to take the Double or Nothing option?

You can elect to continue to drive for the 12 month Good Behaviour Period by submitting the relevant forms to us. You will receive a copy of the application form with your Excessive Demerit Point Notice. You can also:

• Fill in the election form online (only available from 30 June 2008).
  
  
• Download a copy of the form and submit it to the Department. 

The Department must have received your election for the Good Behaviour Period within 21 days of you being served a Excessive Demerit Point Notice. Once this deadline has lapsed, you cannot elect to take the Good Behaviour Period option and you will be disqualified.

Once you have elected to drive on the Good Behaviour Period, it will start 28 days after you were first served the Excessive Demerit Point Notice. If you have submitted an election form but are ineligible, you will be notified.

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Can I still elect if I hold an Extraordinary Driver's Licence?

You can still elect to take the Good Behaviour Period option if you hold an Extraordinary Driver's Licence. The Good Behaviour Period will be postponed until the disqualification relating to the Extraordinary Driver's Licence has ended.

Please note: You can no longer obtain an Extraordinary Driver's Licence for demerit point offences. If you are currently driving on a Extraordinary Driver's Licence it will still be valid, but you will not be able to apply for another one because of incurring a demerit point offence.

Can I change my mind once I am driving within the Good Behaviour Period?

No. Once you have elected to take the Double or Nothing option, you cannot reverse your decision. You must drive for the next 12 months, under the Good Behaviour Period conditions.

Committing an offence when driving during a Good Behaviour Period may result in extended disqualification

What offences breach the Good Behaviour Period?

If you commit a driving offence during the 12 month Good Behaviour Period, you will be disqualified for double the original disqualification as the Good Behaviour Period will be breached.

The following items will breach the Good Behaviour Period:

• accrue more than 1 demerit point for offences committed during the Good Behaviour Period or
  
  
• commit an offence during the Good Behaviour Period that results in a disqualification

If you breach the Good Behaviour Period, you will be disqualified for double the length of the original demerit point disqualification period.

You will not be able to apply for a Extraordinary Driver's Licence after breaching this period:

For a list of offences and their relevant demerit point penalties, please see the Drive Safe book.

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How the changes will work

The example below explains how the new system will work.

John commits a driving offence which accrues 3 demerit points. He already has 10 demerit points and so he is served an Excessive Demerit Point Notice as he now has a total of 13 points. He can: Accept the disqualification                      OR Elect to take the Double or Nothing option and continue to drive within the Good Behaviour Period
Accept the disqualification For 13 demerit points, John would be disqualified from driving for 3 months.	Elect to take the Good Behaviour Period option He fills out the election form online. The Department must have received John's election within 21 days of him being served his Excessive Demerit Point Notice.		If John is currently driving on an Extraordinary Drivers Licence, he can still elect to take the Good Behaviour Period option. The Good Behaviour Period will not begin until his current disqualification has ended.
Disqualification begins 28 days after being served the Excessive Demerit Point Notice, the 3 month disqualification begins.	Good Behaviour Period begins 28 days after being served the Excessive Demerit Point Notice, the Good Behaviour Period begins.		Once John makes his election, he cannot change his mind.
After 3 months John is allowed to drive again His demerit point total is wiped clean.	John can continue to drive under the Good Behaviour Period This period lasts for 12 months.		If John accrues more than 1 demerit point, the Good Behaviour Period is breached. After being served his Good Behaviour Period breach notice, he will be disqualified for double the amount of time. He is now disqualified for 6 months.
	John drives for 12 months without committing any more driving offences The Good Behaviour Period ends. The demerit points he has accrued for this offence are removed from this record.

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