What are demerit points and how do they work?

What the Law Says

The Road Traffic Act empowers the authorities to impose demerit points for traffic offences as part of a disciplinary system for drivers. While the Act itself does not define the full demerit point framework, it authorises the relevant authority — the Traffic Police — to administer the system under delegated powers, with the 24-point/2-year rule forming the statutory consequence for repeat offenders.

Demerit points are not defined in legislation as a standalone concept, but their enforcement mechanism is grounded in the Road Traffic Act. The system operates administratively under the purview of the Singapore Police Force’s Traffic Police division.

When a driver commits a traffic offence, points are added to their record based on the severity of the violation — for example, speeding may attract 4–8 points, while drink-driving carries 24 points outright. Points remain active on the driver’s record for exactly 2 years from the date of the offence.

If a driver accumulates 24 or more demerit points within any rolling 2-year period, they face automatic disqualification from driving for 12 months. This is a mandatory administrative penalty — no court hearing is required.

Statutory Text

Cap. 276, 2004 Rev Ed

— Road Traffic Act, s. 35 — Cap. 276, 2004 Rev Ed

What to Do

Sources