By James Stevens, Director and Solicitor, Go To Court Lawyers. Last reviewed 10 April 2026.
Key points
- The fine: $577 and 3 demerit points for a camera-detected red light or red arrow; $722 and 4 points in a school zone (offences from 1 July 2026).
- No double demerits for red light offences. If the camera also caught you speeding, you get two fines, with points for both.
- Not driving? Name the driver, online or by statutory declaration, by the due date on the reminder notice.
- To dispute it: ask Revenue NSW for a review (the fine is on hold, usually about 21 days), or elect to go to court before the reminder notice's due date.
- P-platers and learners: on a 4-point limit, a single school-zone red light offence reaches it.
- For advice about a red light camera fine, call 1800 577 015 at any hour: free general legal information, and a 60-minute consultation with a lawyer who practises in NSW for a fixed $295.
In NSW, a camera-detected red light offence committed from 1 July 2026 carries a $577 fine and 3 demerit points ($722 and 4 points in a school zone); if you were not driving you can name the driver, and you can ask Revenue NSW for a review or elect to go to court before the due date on the reminder notice.
Checked on 23 October 2026 against Revenue NSW's penalty notice data, the NSW Government's offence and penalty list and red-light speed camera page, Revenue NSW's fines pages and Legal Aid NSW.
The fine and demerit points
| Offence (from 1 July 2026) | Fine | Demerit points |
|---|---|---|
| Proceed through a red traffic light (camera recorded) | $577 | 3 |
| Proceed through a red traffic light (camera recorded) in a school zone | $722 | 4 |
| Proceed through a red traffic arrow (camera recorded) | $577 ($722 in a school zone) | 3 (4 in a school zone) |
| Not stopping at the stop line, or before the lights, at a red light | $577 ($722 in a school zone) | 3 (4 in a school zone) |
The fines are the amounts on penalty notices issued for offences from July to September 2026, as published in Revenue NSW's penalty notice data; they rose on 1 July 2026 (the same red light fine was $562 in 2025-26, and the NSW Government's online offence list still showed $562 when we checked). The demerit points are from that offence list (updated 4 September 2026), under the Road Rules 2014. Double demerits do not apply to these offences.
How the cameras work
- Red-light speed cameras sit at high-risk intersections, work day and night, and photograph a vehicle that crosses the stop line or enters the intersection after the light turns red, or that is speeding.
- Two offences, two fines: if the camera catches you speeding and running the red light, you get two penalty notices, with demerit points for both.
- In court the photographs can be used as evidence, with certificates signed by an authorised person.
Your options
| Option | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | By the due date | Demerit points are added when the fine is paid. If you were not driving, name the driver instead. |
| Name the driver | By the due date on the reminder notice (if you paid before a reminder, up to 90 days from service); later nominations may be refused | Online or by statutory declaration. Required for demerit point offences if you were not driving; the fine and points move to the person named. |
| Ask for a review | Any time, even after the fine is overdue (if you paid before a reminder, within 60 days) | The fine is on hold. Revenue NSW usually decides in about 21 days. Outcomes: the fine stands, a caution, no further action, or cancelled. |
| Go to court | Before the due date on the reminder notice (later only if you can show something prevented you) | No fee to apply. The Local Court decides; it can impose a higher fine, costs, a victims support levy and a conviction. |
| Pay by instalments | Any time | Weekly or fortnightly; no further action while you keep paying. |
- Review grounds: the fine was issued contrary to law; mistaken identity; exceptional circumstances; an intellectual disability, mental illness, cognitive impairment or homelessness meant you could not understand or control the conduct; or a caution should have been given.
- A caution is possible for a lower-risk offence if you have a clear 10-year NSW driving record. School zone offences are excluded.
For overdue fines and enforcement, see non-payment of fines in NSW.
Your demerit points
The 3 points (4 in a school zone) count towards your limit: 13 on an unrestricted licence, 7 on a P2 licence and 4 on a learner or P1 licence, for offences within 3 years. On a learner or P1 licence, a single school-zone red light offence reaches the limit. See demerit points in NSW.
Free help in New South Wales
| Service | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LawAccess NSW (Legal Aid NSW) | 1300 888 529 | 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays |
How Go To Court Lawyers can help
Our free line, 1800 577 015, answers at any hour. Jen, our AI legal information assistant, gives general legal information and takes your details; Jen is not a lawyer and does not give advice about your case. A 60-minute consultation with a lawyer who practises in New South Wales is a fixed $295, by phone, video or in person where the lawyer offers it. The lawyer can advise whether a review or court election is worth it, and on the effect on your licence if the points take you over your limit. Requests are taken at any hour; how soon a lawyer can see you depends on who is available. Request a $295 consultation.
General information only, not legal advice. Updated 23 October 2026. Checked against Revenue NSW's penalty notice data for 2026-27 (offences July to September 2026) and 2025-26; the NSW Government's offence and penalty list (updated 4 September 2026) and its "Red-light speed cameras" page; the NSW Government's (Revenue NSW) pages on requesting a review, naming the driver, going to court and paying by instalments; Legal Aid NSW's fines pages; and Transport for NSW on demerit points, on 23 October 2026.