Discover the dark secrets behind buying and selling demerit points
- Replies 2
It seems that these days, you can buy and sell almost anything – and this includes driver’s licence demerits points. You might be thinking, ‘But that’s illegal.’ Yes, it very much is.
This comes after a driver was caught red-handed selling demerit points to Aussies who were desperate to keep hold of their licences.
Evidence has come to light that some Australians will go to any lengths to keep their driver’s licence – even if it means taking part in a dodgy online business.
Recently, a motorist was caught selling demerit points in a Facebook group for locals in Sydney. Under the deal, the seller offered to step forward to take on the person’s penalty for offences such as speeding or using a mobile phone while at the wheel in exchange for $123. Though, this was likely a placeholder price.
‘Save your licences. Need your camera fines/demerit points/phone cameras taken away? DM for more info,’ the man advertised.
A reporter managed to contact the seller under the guise of wanting to offload points and discovered how the man does it.
The seller said that he has an international licence so he doesn’t lose any points.
He asked the undercover reporter for a photo of the fine and explained: ‘If you can send the details now, I can have them done and out of your name by 5 pm today.’
As shocking as this may be for some, it’s not a new discovery. A whole black market operation is operating online and exchanging demerit points for cash.
On Facebook Marketplace, there are half a dozen listings in Sydney alone with a range of prices.
‘Message me with what fine and how many demerit points you need,’ one person selling points for $50 stated. Another said they were charging $150 per point for ‘all fines and penalties’.
Most of these sellers had their usernames clearly listed on the social media platform but one person at least had the foresight to attempt to disguise their post as an advertisement for a 2023 Toyota.
‘Fines and penalties $150 a point done within minutes,’ they wrote.
On the popular social media forum Reddit, many users claim that there are websites dedicated to illegal demerit points sales.
‘People taking points for others is a fairly common occurrence…If they’ve got a problem with it they should call the non-urgent police line or something,’ one explained.
This comes after a previous investigation made by reporters who have uncovered multiple listings on Facebook Marketplace selling driver’s licence demerit points.
Oddly enough, some of the listings relating to the illegal trade incorporate items commonly sold online, such as TVs or bicycles. It is assumed that sellers use this tactic to get more views for their advertisements.
Desperate drivers looking to keep their licences also post offers online to try and find someone willing to take on demerit points.
‘Anyone wants to take 10 demerit points for $$$,’ one man asked in a post. Sometime later, the same man posted an update stating he hadn’t offloaded all of his demerit points yet.
‘Hi guys, I still have another 2 demerit points for sale DM if interested,’ he wrote.
But how does a transaction usually work?
When a vehicle is involved in a traffic offence, the owner is sent a fine in the mail along with a notification of how many demerit points will be added to their driver’s licence. Every Australian holding an ordinary licence can accrue 13 demerit points before their licence gets suspended.
However, there is a chance that the person who owns the car was not the person driving it when the offence took place.
If this is the case, motorists will then fill out an online form with their relevant state or territory revenue department, nominating the driver who was responsible for the offence and giving their details.
It is believed that this loophole is used in illegal exchanges.
However, having someone else claim the points when they weren’t the driver is against the law. Tara McCarthy, the Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for NSW, told reporters: ‘There are strong penalties in place for a person who falsely nominated another person as being responsible for driving offences.’
She also shut down any suggestion of side-stepping the legal system by using an international driver’s licence.
According to Transport for NSW, an international licence holder who accrues 13 demerit points or is found to have committed serious driving offences can only drive using their overseas licence after they have served any relevant suspension or disqualification period.
Kent Park, a lawyer from Sydney Criminal Lawyers, stated that falsely offloading your demerit points or taking on someone else’s is a serious offence and could land the illegal trader in jail.
Knowingly providing misleading information to a public authority, such as Revenue NSW, carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. Falsely nominating someone could also lead to a massive fine under the Road Transport Act.
Were you aware of this illegal buy-and-sell of demerit points? Have you seen similar listings online? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
This comes after a driver was caught red-handed selling demerit points to Aussies who were desperate to keep hold of their licences.
Evidence has come to light that some Australians will go to any lengths to keep their driver’s licence – even if it means taking part in a dodgy online business.
Recently, a motorist was caught selling demerit points in a Facebook group for locals in Sydney. Under the deal, the seller offered to step forward to take on the person’s penalty for offences such as speeding or using a mobile phone while at the wheel in exchange for $123. Though, this was likely a placeholder price.
‘Save your licences. Need your camera fines/demerit points/phone cameras taken away? DM for more info,’ the man advertised.
The man offered to step forward and take on the buyer’s penalty points. Credit: Facebook
A reporter managed to contact the seller under the guise of wanting to offload points and discovered how the man does it.
The seller said that he has an international licence so he doesn’t lose any points.
He asked the undercover reporter for a photo of the fine and explained: ‘If you can send the details now, I can have them done and out of your name by 5 pm today.’
As shocking as this may be for some, it’s not a new discovery. A whole black market operation is operating online and exchanging demerit points for cash.
On Facebook Marketplace, there are half a dozen listings in Sydney alone with a range of prices.
‘Message me with what fine and how many demerit points you need,’ one person selling points for $50 stated. Another said they were charging $150 per point for ‘all fines and penalties’.
Most of these sellers had their usernames clearly listed on the social media platform but one person at least had the foresight to attempt to disguise their post as an advertisement for a 2023 Toyota.
‘Fines and penalties $150 a point done within minutes,’ they wrote.
Sometimes buyers themselves offer a deal to those willing to take on demerit points. Credit: Reddit
On the popular social media forum Reddit, many users claim that there are websites dedicated to illegal demerit points sales.
‘People taking points for others is a fairly common occurrence…If they’ve got a problem with it they should call the non-urgent police line or something,’ one explained.
This comes after a previous investigation made by reporters who have uncovered multiple listings on Facebook Marketplace selling driver’s licence demerit points.
Oddly enough, some of the listings relating to the illegal trade incorporate items commonly sold online, such as TVs or bicycles. It is assumed that sellers use this tactic to get more views for their advertisements.
Desperate drivers looking to keep their licences also post offers online to try and find someone willing to take on demerit points.
‘Anyone wants to take 10 demerit points for $$$,’ one man asked in a post. Sometime later, the same man posted an update stating he hadn’t offloaded all of his demerit points yet.
‘Hi guys, I still have another 2 demerit points for sale DM if interested,’ he wrote.
A seller was advertising their listing using a TV. Credit: Facebook
But how does a transaction usually work?
When a vehicle is involved in a traffic offence, the owner is sent a fine in the mail along with a notification of how many demerit points will be added to their driver’s licence. Every Australian holding an ordinary licence can accrue 13 demerit points before their licence gets suspended.
However, there is a chance that the person who owns the car was not the person driving it when the offence took place.
If this is the case, motorists will then fill out an online form with their relevant state or territory revenue department, nominating the driver who was responsible for the offence and giving their details.
It is believed that this loophole is used in illegal exchanges.
However, having someone else claim the points when they weren’t the driver is against the law. Tara McCarthy, the Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation at Transport for NSW, told reporters: ‘There are strong penalties in place for a person who falsely nominated another person as being responsible for driving offences.’
She also shut down any suggestion of side-stepping the legal system by using an international driver’s licence.
According to Transport for NSW, an international licence holder who accrues 13 demerit points or is found to have committed serious driving offences can only drive using their overseas licence after they have served any relevant suspension or disqualification period.
Kent Park, a lawyer from Sydney Criminal Lawyers, stated that falsely offloading your demerit points or taking on someone else’s is a serious offence and could land the illegal trader in jail.
Knowingly providing misleading information to a public authority, such as Revenue NSW, carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment. Falsely nominating someone could also lead to a massive fine under the Road Transport Act.
.png){kind=icon}
