Call our lawyers
now
or,
have our lawyers
call you
Good Behaviour Licences in New South Wales
Updated on May 29, 2015 • 3 min read • 646 views • Copy Link
Good Behaviour Licences in New South Wales
If you get caught one too many times for minor traffic offences in NSW, you may accumulate too many demerit points and face losing your licence for a period of time. Rather than accept the suspension period, you may choose to apply for a good behaviour licence, which allows you to continue to drive, without suspension, but on restricted points.
What is a good behaviour licence?
A good behaviour licence is available only to unrestricted licence holders who accumulate 13 or more points in a three year period. Rather than having your licence suspended at this point, you may apply to the Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) for a good behaviour licence. The licence runs for a 12 month period during which you are only entitled to accumulate 2 demerit points.
How do I apply for a Good Behaviour Licence?
Once you have exceeded your demerit point limit you will be issued with a Notice of Suspension by RMS. The suspension notice will state the date on which your suspension will start. You MUST apply for a good behaviour licence BEFORE your licence suspension commences. You can do this either in person at an RMS Contact Centre or online via https://www.myrta.com
What if I am charged with a traffic offence during the good behaviour period?
If you receive 2 or more points limit while driving on a good behaviour licence you will lose your licence for double the initial suspension period. The initial suspension period will depend on the number of points you originally accumulated:
| Points Accumulated | Suspension Period |
|---|---|
| 13 – 15 | 3 months |
| 16 – 19 | 4 months |
| 20+ | 5 months |
| P-Plates and L-Plates | 3 months |
Example: if you originally accumulated 15 points and elected a good behaviour period and proceed to lose 2 or more points while on good behaviour, then your licence will be suspended for 8 months.
You are not able to appeal a licence suspension; however you can challenge the traffic offence itself by electing to have the matter heard in Court. You then have the option of pleading not guilty (if you believe you can show the Court you are innocent of the offence) or pleading guilty and applying to have the matter dealt with under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act (NSW) 1999. If you are successful under a section 10 application, the charge is proven but no criminal conviction is recorded.
If you choose to have your matter heard in Court you should seek legal advice from an experienced Traffic Lawyer prior to your hearing. You may also seek further information at the Roads and Maritime Services homepage www.rms.nsw.gov.au
Laura Turner
Senior Associate
Laura Turner holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts as well as a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. She is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Laura began her legal experience through volunteering with the Student Legal Service offering free advice to students, and through a clerkship in the conveyancing team of a law firm in Hobart. She also volunteered at a Prisoner Legal Service, assisting inmates to obtain parole. Laura has a strong focus on family law, criminal and traffic law, although looks to broaden her knowledge into migration and civil law.
Affordable Lawyers
Our Go To Court Lawyers will assist you in all areas of law. We specialise in providing legal advice urgently – at the time when you need it most. If you need a lawyer right now, today, we can help you – no matter where you are in Australia.How It Works
1. You speak directly to a lawyer
When you call the Go To Court Legal Hotline, you will be connected directly to a lawyer, every time.
2. Get your legal situation assessed
We determine the best way forward in your legal matter, free of charge. If you want to go ahead and book a face-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area.
3. We arrange everything as needed
If you want to go ahead and book a fact-to-face appointment, we will connect you with a specialist in your local area no matter where you are and even at very short notice.
Related Law Topics
Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions (NSW)
Please note that this article was published on 12 May 2020. The information on this page is no longer accurate. From 1 June 2020, the Stage One COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales will be relaxed. The restrictions have been in place since May and were imposed under orders by ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales
Can I Be Evicted if I Have Been Financially Disadvantaged by COVID-19? (NSW)
Many people who are residential tenants in New South Wales have been financially disadvantaged by COVID-19. This may be because of reduced work hours, because of business closures or because of being unable to work due to illness. In recognition of the exceptional circumstances facing renters at the moment, the ....
Posted in:
Civil Law
New South Wales
Restrictions on Public Gatherings and Movement (NSW)
On 30 March 2020, New South Wales introduced restrictions on public gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions were introduced as an order by the Health Minister under the Public Health Act. They limit the circumstances in which a person may leave the house, the number of people ....
Posted in:
New South Wales
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, courts in many locations are changing the way they operate and are keeping personal appearances to a minimum. New South Wales courts have adopted the practice of holding all court appearance by phone or video conference, except where there are exceptional circumstances. This article will ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales
Should Wheel Clamping Be Illegal? (WA)
A local government body in Western Australia is planning to ban the practice of wheel clamping within its boundaries. The City of Stirling recently voted unanimously to draft the Immobilisation and Detention of Vehicles Local Law 2019. The bill would ban wheel clamping in most circumstances and regulate the detention ....
Posted in:
Traffic Law
Western Australia
Strip Searches of Minors (NSW)
Concerns are being raised about the legality and appropriateness of strip searches carried out on minors by New South Wales police. The issue has come to light after Redfern Legal Centre obtained data on strip searches conducted in the last three years, revealing that there were 122 strip searches of ....
Posted in:
Court Lawyers
Criminal Law
New South Wales
Sydney Protests Against Temporary Protection Visas
Hundreds of people yesterday protested outside the Sydney office of Home Affairs against the continuing use of Temporary Protection Visas for people found to be genuine refugees. Temporary Protection Visas, which have been used since the 1990s, have long been criticised for the uncertainty they bring to refugees who have ....
Posted in:
Australia
Immigration
New South Wales
28 Years for Terrorist Conspiracy
On 9 August 2019, the New South Wales Supreme Court sentenced Mustafa Dirani to imprisonment for 28 years with a non-parole period of 21 years for conspiracy to do acts in preparation for a terrorist act. Dirani had been found guilty after a trial by jury. The conspiracy in which ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales
Police Powers and Strip Searches (NSW)
The way strip searches are conducted by the New South Wales police has repeatedly become the subject of controversy in the last few years. Today it has come to light that police in NSW routinely use body-worn cameras to film a strip search, raising concerns about privacy. The revelation comes ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales
The Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019 has been introduced to the New South Wales parliament by independent MP Alex Greenwich and will be debated later this month. The bill seeks to decriminalise abortion procedures and to introduce provisions that would regulate terminations as a medical procedure. The bill has ....
Posted in:
Criminal Law
New South Wales
Officials Perverting the Course of Justice (NSW)
While police and judicial officers are responsible for prosecuting and sentencing individuals for criminal offences, sometimes people in positions of authority are themselves charged with perverting the course of justice. This commonly arises in circumstances that amount to an abuse of power. A recent case from the NSW Court of ....
Posted in:
Court Lawyers
New South Wales
Rush Awarded $850,000 for Defamatory Imputations
On 11 April 2019, the Federal Court of Australia handed down its decision in the matter of Rush v Nationwide News Pty Ltd. The court found that publications made by the defendant about Australian actor Geoffrey Rush contained defamatory imputations and that the defence of justification did not succeed. It ....
Posted in:
Civil Law
New South Wales