One phone offence could cost drivers their licence this long weekend—and the cameras won’t miss a thing

The smell of barbecues, the promise of a long weekend, and the quiet hum of highways filled with holiday traffic.

For many drivers, Labour Day meant freedom and family time.

But for those in New South Wales and the ACT, it also meant the risk of losing their licence in a single mistake.

Double demerits came into force from Friday 3 October to Monday 6 October 2025, covering the entire Labour Day long weekend.

Drivers caught using their phones faced a $410 fine—or $544 in school zones—and 10 demerit points, enough to suspend many licences in a single offence.

The rules had not changed, but the consequences had doubled.

What triggers the penalties

Double demerit points applied for speeding, illegal mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt, and riding without a motorcycle helmet.

While fines remained the same, only the points doubled, meaning even minor slips could become career-ending for professional drivers or licence-ending for provisional ones.

To put it in perspective, not wearing a seatbelt normally resulted in three points—but during this period, it meant six.

That could easily push a driver over their limit, triggering suspension or cancellation.

For provisional drivers with already low point caps, it was a ticking time bomb.

The technology watching you

Behind the wheel, another factor raised the stakes: technology.

Mobile Phone Detection Cameras in NSW and the ACT worked around the clock, designed specifically to catch drivers using their phones.

Random breath testing and strong police presence across major highways, regional roads, and holiday hotspots made it nearly impossible to slip through unnoticed.

Good news for safe drivers

Yet there was some good news.

A safe drivers trial had been introduced in NSW, where unrestricted licence holders with active demerit points could have one point removed if they stayed offence-free until 31 January 2026.

Processing of eligible removals was expected from April 2025, rewarding those who chose caution over recklessness.

Still, the most vulnerable group remained provisional licence holders.

With only four points for P1 drivers and seven for P2 drivers, even a single mobile phone offence—normally five points—could wipe them out with 10 points during this period.

Drivers on good behaviour bonds, those with prior suspensions, or people working in transport and delivery roles faced similar risks.

The national picture

Beyond NSW, the national picture looked different.

Only NSW, the ACT, and Western Australia enforced double demerits during holiday periods.

Queensland took a year-round approach, doubling demerits for repeat offences, while South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory did not observe the system.

Authorities urged drivers to check their current demerit points through the Service NSW checker before travelling, reminding them that even parking offences in school zones could attract additional penalties.

For those on the road, the best defence was simple—drive safely, avoid distractions, and treat every decision behind the wheel as one that could preserve or end their right to drive.

While double demerits highlight how fragile a licence can be over one long weekend, other proposed changes to driving rules could have just as big an impact on the road.

It’s not only about fines and points—shifts in regulations are beginning to raise questions about who is allowed to stay behind the wheel and under what conditions.

One recent discussion has centred on potential new rules that specifically target certain licence holders, sparking debate about fairness and safety.

Read more: Buckle up, seniors! New driving regulations could target elderly licence holders

How do you stay alert during long weekend drives, and have you checked how close you are to your demerit limit?