Warning against dodgy driver's licence tactic as 'widespread trend' continues
A prominent NSW lawyer is reminding Aussie motorists authorities are on the lookout for drivers taking this risk.
Aussies falsely nominating other drivers to take their demerit points are being reminded authorities are this year clamping down on the illegal practice. One motorist recently stung with a crushing $4,000 fine after being caught in the act.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, prominent Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh of Astor Legal said there's been a significant spike in the practice in recent months among people trying to save their licences, which he warns isn't going undetected by roadside officials.
"In 2024, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) commenced a crackdown on false nominations of drivers," he told Yahoo. "There has been a widespread trend of people agreeing to take demerit points for other drivers.
"The person nominated will usually charge a fee to take the demerit points. Often they are on international licences and may not even be in the country."
Lawyer warns authorities are cracking down on sale of demerits
Singh explained that he recently represented a driver who was issued a $4,000 fine for trying to offload demerit points.
"The reason the fine was so expensive was because the vehicle was registered as a company vehicle and the company had a record of previous offences," he explained. "As such, it was subject to the penalties for a corporation, which are significantly greater than that of an individual ($1,500)."
He said the matter was listed at court where the $4,000 fine "could have been increased to $22,000".
Singh said he was able to successfully fight the fine on behalf of the driver, but warned transport bodies are increasing surveillance and urged Aussies to remain vigilant.
Social media appears to be the go-to place for drivers in search of someone they can falsely nominate to palm off their demerit points to — and there are seemingly plenty of people happy to oblige. Some selling the illegal service even create advertisements of their own online to attract those in need.
What other offences are Aussies being stung for?
Over the past couple of years, the tactic has gained popularity, with the price of one demerit point going for anywhere between $30-$150. On Wednesday, Yahoo News Australia found dozens of ads of people offering to cop demerit points from drivers for a price, with almost 50 immediately accessible on Facebook Marketplace alone.
In addition to the dodgy demerit trade, Singh said this year other offences NSW drivers are repeatedly getting busted over include not stopping at a yellow (amber) traffic light, which is "often laid by police when a person pleads not guilty to not stopping at a red light as a ‘back-up offence’".
"This allows police to usually secure a conviction even if they are unable to prove the red light offence," he said. "Flashing your headlights to warn other drivers of police [is another one].
"There has been a marked increase in these offences being detected, particularly where mobile speed cameras or RBTs are set up."
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