As the festive season approaches, drivers across Australia should brace themselves for the implementation of double demerits during the Christmas holidays. However, the enforcement of these penalties varies significantly across the country’s states and territories.

While some regions enforce double demerits consistently throughout the year, others have opted out of this practice altogether. Yet, drivers need to be cautious when crossing state lines, as they may still face double demerit penalties in regions where they are applied.

For the upcoming 2025 Christmas holidays, it’s important to know where and when these enhanced penalties will be in effect. In New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Western Australia, double demerits are typically enforced during most holiday seasons and long weekends.

It is crucial for drivers to remember that double demerits are specifically applied to certain road offenses, emphasizing the importance of adhering to traffic regulations during these periods.

Double demerits only apply to specific road offences.

In NSW, they are: speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, riding without a helmet, not wearing or incorrectly wearing a seatbelt (drivers and passengers).

The same rules apply in the ACT, and a few additional offences are subject to double demerits in WA.

They are: drink or drug driving, running a red light, driving a vehicle fitted with a device designed to evade detection by a speed camera, and driving in a manner to evade detection by a speed camera.

Double demerits will be enforced on the following dates over the Christmas holidays:

Queensland also imposes double demerits, though in a slightly different way.

Instead of limiting double demerits to holiday periods, they are enforced year-round and apply to motorists who repeatedly commit specific offences.

Drivers will have double demerits applied if they’re caught repeating an offence from the same offence group two or more times within a year.

For example, a driver caught on their phone will receive double demerits if they are caught using it a second or subsequent time within 12 months.

Victoria, SA, NT and Tasmania

Unlike the other states, Victoria, SA, NT and Tasmania don’t impose double demerits at all.

But that doesn’t mean drivers are totally in the clear.

Motorists who hold a Queensland licence could still cop double demerits if they’re caught committing an eligible offence in another state or territory.

That’s because Queensland drivers who commit demerit-point offences interstate are subject to the demerit points that apply in their home state for the same offence.

The same goes for drivers from NSW, who are also subject to double demerits in their home state if they’re caught breaking the rules across state lines.