When you commit multiple ‘major’ traffic offences within a 5 year period, the penalties and periods of disqualification increase. For example, if you are charged with Low Range Drink Driving and it is your first offence, the automatic period of disqualification is 6 months, with a minimum of 3 months. However, if you have committed a another major traffic offence within the last 5 years, say 3 years ago, the automatic disqualification period is 12 months, with the minimum being 6 months.
3 major traffic offences within the same 5 year period leads you to be declared a ‘habitual traffic offender’, meaning that the RTA have the power to disqualify you for a further 5 years, on top of the court ordered disqualifications. For more information on Habitual Traffic Offender Declarations, see our home page.
Major traffic offences include:
- A conviction of murder or manslaughter arising out of the use of motor vehicle;
- A conviction for wounding, causing actual bodily harm or inflicting grievous bodily harm arising out of the use of a motor vehicle;
- Predatory driving, Involvement in a police pursuit, and failing to stop after an impact causing grievous bodily harm;
- Driving recklessly, furiously or in a manner or speed dangerous to the public;
- Negligent Driving causing death or grievous bodily harm;
- Menacing Driving;
- Drink Driving, refuse breath analysis or wilfully alter concentration;
- Prevent medical practitioner or nurse from taking blood;
- Drive under influence of alcohol or drug;
- Refuse sample of blood or urine or wilfully introduce or alter amount of drug in blood or urine;
- Failing to stop and assist following impact causing death or injury;
- Failing or refusing to provide oral fluid sample;
- Refusing or failing to submit to the taking of the sample of blood in accordance with the directions of a medical practitioner, registered nurse or prescribed sample taker;
- Refuse or fail to supply sample of urine or blood (fatal accident).
