<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Double demerits will soon come into effect for the Christmas holidays, but not all Australian states and territories enforce them equally.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some impose double demerits year-round, while others opt out entirely – though drivers from some states can still cop double demerit penalties across borders.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here's when and where double demerits will be enforced over the 2025 Christmas holidays.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-post-2025-christmas-cut-off-dates-domestic-and-international-reminder/eb154aec-255f-413d-8581-e93077b3747d" target="_blank"><strong><span>Australia Post reveals deadline for mailing Christmas parcels</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>NSW, the ACT and WA</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW, the ACT and WA impose double demerits over most holiday periods and long weekends, including:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>the Christmas and New Year period</span></li><li><span>Australia Day</span></li><li><span>Easter</span></li><li><span>Anzac Day</span></li><li><span>King's Birthday</span></li><li><span>Labour Day</span></li><li><span>state-specific public holidays (e.g. WA Day)</span></li></ul></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/double-demerits-2025-christmas-new-year-when-do-they-start-explainer/3f943681-39c0-4281-8e38-ace4f87b5620" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Double demerits only apply to specific road offences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/seatbelt-fines-rules-in-australia-explained/0055f393-a2d0-4f50-b479-bd9d5c289b1d" target="_blank"><strong><span>The $1200 seatbelt crime countless Aussies have committed without even realising</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The same rules apply in the ACT, and a few additional offences are subject to double demerits in WA.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Double demerits will be enforced on the following dates over the Christmas holidays:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><span>NSW:</span></strong><span> December 24 to January 4</span></li><li><strong><span>ACT:</span></strong><span> December 24 to January 4</span></li><li><strong><span>WA:</span></strong><span> December 19 to January 4</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Queensland</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Queensland also imposes double demerits, though in a slightly different way.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Instead of limiting double demerits to holiday periods, they are enforced year-round and apply to motorists who repeatedly commit specific offences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These offences include:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span>speeding more than 20km/h over the speed limit</span></li><li><span>mobile phone offences</span></li><li><span>driver seatbelt offences</span></li><li><span>seatbelt offences for passengers under 16</span></li><li><span>motorcycle helmet offences</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-public-holidays-2026-how-to-maximise-your-annual-leave-state-by-state-guide/84a48e89-bc6f-4799-a502-95e39eb9a890" rel="" target="_blank" title="How to maximise public holidays and make the most of your annual leave in 2026"><strong><span>How to maximise public holidays and make the most of your annual leave in 2026</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Victoria, SA, NT and Tasmania</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Unlike the other states, Victoria, SA, NT and Tasmania don't impose double demerits at all.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But that doesn't mean drivers are totally in the clear.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Motorists who hold a Queensland licence could still cop double demerits if they're caught committing an eligible offence in another state or territory.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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