Desperate drivers resort to black market Facebook groups to swap cash for demerit points
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Here in Australia, according to the law, drivers accrue demerit points whenever they commit a traffic offence – whether it's speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or using mobile phones while behind the wheel.
Accumulating too many of these points within a certain period of time can result in the suspension of a person's driver's licence. That's why it's important to be always mindful of obeying the road rules!
But what if someone finds themselves in a situation where they desperately need to keep their licence because losing it would mean losing their job? What if they only have a few points left until suspension, and there's no way they can afford to lose them? We bet that would be very stressful.
For some people in this predicament, they resort to looking for someone who is willing to swap cash for their demerit points – and yes, this black market does exist here in Australia. All thanks to Facebook.
Aussie drivers are illegally swapping their demerit points for cash on Facebook Marketplace. Credit: Alan Porritt/AAP.
An investigation by a news source has uncovered dozens of listings on Facebook's Marketplace 'selling' driver's licence demerit points.
The news source was able to verify with one Sydney-based vendor that he would accept demerit points for $140 each. Other advertisements on Facebook Marketplace offer demerit point transfers starting at $50.
Many of these ads also include things that are regularly sold online, like televisions or bicycles, in an attempt to attract more attention to their listings and, more likely, to keep law enforcement from discovering them.
On the other hand, these postings are also supported by drivers who are desperate to maintain their licences and are increasingly turning to Facebook in search of a willing recipient of their penalty points.
'Anyone wanna take 10 demerit points for $$$$,' one man from Sydney inquired in a post on September 14. The same man wrote again a week later, explaining that he still needed to get rid of some of his demerit points and asking if anyone would be willing to take them.
People are posting advertisements online 'selling' demerit points for cash. Credit: Facebook.
How does the demerit point system work?
After a traffic violation has occurred, such as speeding or using a cell phone while driving, the vehicle's owner receives a fee in the mail and is informed of the number of demerit points that have been imposed.
Before their licence is suspended, all Australian drivers with regular licences are allowed to accumulate a maximum of 13 demerit points.
However, there is also a possibility that the owner of the car was not the one operating it when the offence occurred.
When this occurs, drivers can submit an online form to the revenue authority in their state or territory, naming the person they believe to be responsible for the traffic violation and providing their contact information.
In the same way, drivers can nominate themselves as the offender – this seems to be the loophole that the black market exchanges take advantage of.
Drivers are looking to offload their demerit points to other willing motorists. Credit: Facebook.
The consequences of buying or selling demerit points
There is a potential sentence of two years in prison for intentionally giving false information to a government agency like Revenue NSW.
Making a false nomination could also result in a hefty fine under the Road Transport Act. If it is brought before a judge, the highest amount of the fine that can be imposed is $11,000.
Unfortunately, there is a much larger market for demerit points on the black market than most people realise, according to attorney Kent Park of Sydney Criminal Lawyers.
'I've seen partners taking points for the other person, but when they break up, they do the other person in,' said the lawyer, adding: 'I think it's a lot more common than people think.'
A substantial fine awaits those who are found providing false information to authorities. Credit: CarsGuide.
After the news source contacted Meta, the owner of Facebook, several of the demerit point listings were removed, but many still remain.
'We removed these listings and one of the sellers for violating our policies,' a spokesperson from the tech company said. 'We strongly encourage people to report items that may breach our rules so we can review and take the appropriate action.'
Revenue NSW declined to comment on the examples of demerit point listings highlighted to them by the news source, as did NSW Police.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said: 'There are strong penalties in place for a person who falsely nominates another person as being responsible for camera-detected driving offences.'
So there you have it, members. Be very careful if you come across any posts or advertisements on Facebook that are offering to sell or swap demerit points. Not only is it illegal, but it could also land you in a lot of hot water!
Accumulating too many of these points within a certain period of time can result in the suspension of a person's driver's licence. That's why it's important to be always mindful of obeying the road rules!
But what if someone finds themselves in a situation where they desperately need to keep their licence because losing it would mean losing their job? What if they only have a few points left until suspension, and there's no way they can afford to lose them? We bet that would be very stressful.
For some people in this predicament, they resort to looking for someone who is willing to swap cash for their demerit points – and yes, this black market does exist here in Australia. All thanks to Facebook.
Aussie drivers are illegally swapping their demerit points for cash on Facebook Marketplace. Credit: Alan Porritt/AAP.
An investigation by a news source has uncovered dozens of listings on Facebook's Marketplace 'selling' driver's licence demerit points.
The news source was able to verify with one Sydney-based vendor that he would accept demerit points for $140 each. Other advertisements on Facebook Marketplace offer demerit point transfers starting at $50.
Many of these ads also include things that are regularly sold online, like televisions or bicycles, in an attempt to attract more attention to their listings and, more likely, to keep law enforcement from discovering them.
On the other hand, these postings are also supported by drivers who are desperate to maintain their licences and are increasingly turning to Facebook in search of a willing recipient of their penalty points.
'Anyone wanna take 10 demerit points for $$$$,' one man from Sydney inquired in a post on September 14. The same man wrote again a week later, explaining that he still needed to get rid of some of his demerit points and asking if anyone would be willing to take them.
People are posting advertisements online 'selling' demerit points for cash. Credit: Facebook.
How does the demerit point system work?
After a traffic violation has occurred, such as speeding or using a cell phone while driving, the vehicle's owner receives a fee in the mail and is informed of the number of demerit points that have been imposed.
Before their licence is suspended, all Australian drivers with regular licences are allowed to accumulate a maximum of 13 demerit points.
However, there is also a possibility that the owner of the car was not the one operating it when the offence occurred.
When this occurs, drivers can submit an online form to the revenue authority in their state or territory, naming the person they believe to be responsible for the traffic violation and providing their contact information.
In the same way, drivers can nominate themselves as the offender – this seems to be the loophole that the black market exchanges take advantage of.
Drivers are looking to offload their demerit points to other willing motorists. Credit: Facebook.
The consequences of buying or selling demerit points
There is a potential sentence of two years in prison for intentionally giving false information to a government agency like Revenue NSW.
Making a false nomination could also result in a hefty fine under the Road Transport Act. If it is brought before a judge, the highest amount of the fine that can be imposed is $11,000.
Unfortunately, there is a much larger market for demerit points on the black market than most people realise, according to attorney Kent Park of Sydney Criminal Lawyers.
'I've seen partners taking points for the other person, but when they break up, they do the other person in,' said the lawyer, adding: 'I think it's a lot more common than people think.'
A substantial fine awaits those who are found providing false information to authorities. Credit: CarsGuide.
After the news source contacted Meta, the owner of Facebook, several of the demerit point listings were removed, but many still remain.
'We removed these listings and one of the sellers for violating our policies,' a spokesperson from the tech company said. 'We strongly encourage people to report items that may breach our rules so we can review and take the appropriate action.'
Revenue NSW declined to comment on the examples of demerit point listings highlighted to them by the news source, as did NSW Police.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said: 'There are strong penalties in place for a person who falsely nominates another person as being responsible for camera-detected driving offences.'
So there you have it, members. Be very careful if you come across any posts or advertisements on Facebook that are offering to sell or swap demerit points. Not only is it illegal, but it could also land you in a lot of hot water!
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