How to learn about your licence is suspended in Victoria
You can check your licence status directly through VicRoads, the Victorian government body that manages driver licences. The fastest way is to log into your VicRoads account online at vicroads.vic.gov.au, where you can see your current licence status, any suspensions, and the dates they explore. If you do not have an online account, you can create one using your licence number and personal details.
If you cannot access the online system, you can call VicRoads on 13 11 71 during business hours and provide your licence number to a staff member. They will tell you whether your licence is suspended, why, and when the suspension ends. You can also visit a VicRoads customer service centre in person — locations are listed on their website — though this usually means a wait.
A suspension means you are not legally allowed to drive. Driving while suspended carries serious penalties including fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension. If you are unsure whether you should be driving, do not drive until you have confirmed your status with VicRoads.
Key Takeaways
- Check your licence status online through your VicRoads account, by phone on 13 11 71, or in person at a VicRoads customer service centre.
- A suspension is a legal prohibition on driving — you cannot legally drive during a suspension period, even for short trips.
- Common reasons for suspension include unpaid fines, accumulating demerit points, failing to pay a court-ordered fine, or a court order following a driving offence.
- Driving while suspended is a criminal offence that results in fines, a court appearance, and an extended suspension period.
- If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or court orders, paying what you owe may end the suspension, but you must confirm the status with VicRoads after payment.
Why your licence might be suspended
Victoria suspends licences for several reasons, and the cause determines how long the suspension lasts and what you need to do to have it lifted. The most common reason is accumulating 12 or more demerit points within a three-year period. Each traffic offence carries a demerit point value — speeding, running a red light, and not wearing a seatbelt all add points — and when you reach 12, your licence is automatically suspended for three months.
Unpaid fines also trigger suspension. If you receive a traffic infringement notice and do not pay by the due date, VicRoads will suspend your licence. The suspension remains in place until you pay the fine in full. Court-ordered fines work the same way — if a court orders you to pay a fine and you do not, your licence will be suspended until payment is made.
A court can also suspend your licence as a penalty for a serious driving offence, such as dangerous driving, driving under the influence, or refusing a breath test. These suspensions are typically longer than demerit-point suspensions and may last months or years depending on the offence and the court's decision.
Failing to provide a specimen for a breath or drug test, or failing to attend court when ordered, can also result in suspension. Some suspensions are automatic; others require a court order.
What to do if your licence is suspended
Once you know your licence is suspended and why, your next step depends on the reason. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines, contact the issuing authority — usually the police or the court — to find out the exact amount owed and the payment methods they accept. Most accept online payment, phone payment, or payment in person. Once you pay, contact VicRoads to confirm the suspension has been lifted; sometimes there is a short delay between payment and the system updating.
If the suspension is due to demerit points, you cannot shorten the three-month suspension period by paying anything. You must wait for the suspension to expire. VicRoads will write to you when the suspension is about to end and tell you when you can legally drive again. You do not need to reapply or renew your licence; it automatically becomes valid again on the date the suspension ends.
If a court suspended your licence as part of a sentence or penalty, you may be able to request a review or appeal, but this requires legal information. Contact a lawyer or a community legal centre to understand your options. Some suspensions can be reviewed after a certain period has passed; others cannot be shortened.
While your licence is suspended, you cannot legally drive. This includes driving to work, driving for emergencies, or driving short distances. The only exception is if a court has granted you a work licence, which allows you to drive for work purposes only during a suspension period. If you think you may be may have access to to a work licence, ask VicRoads or your lawyer.
Demerit points and how they lead to suspension
Every driver in Victoria starts with a zero demerit point balance. When you commit a traffic offence, points are added to your record. The number of points depends on the offence — a minor speeding breach might be one point, while dangerous driving could be six points. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the offence.
If you accumulate 12 or more points within any three-year period, your licence is automatically suspended for three months. This is called a demerit point suspension. The suspension begins on the date VicRoads notifies you, not on the date of the offence. You will receive a letter in the mail telling you the suspension has taken effect and when it will end.
If you receive a second demerit point suspension within five years of the first one, the second suspension lasts six months instead of three. A third suspension within five years lasts 12 months. These longer suspensions explore even if the total points are the same.
You cannot reduce demerit points by paying a fee or taking a course. The only way to reduce points is to wait for them to age off your record after three years. Some offences can be challenged in court if you believe the fine was issued incorrectly, but this is a separate process from demerit points.
Unpaid fines and court orders
If you receive a traffic infringement notice — a fine for a traffic offence — you have a set time to pay, usually 28 days. If you do not pay by that date, VicRoads will suspend your licence. The suspension stays in place until you pay the full amount. There is no partial payment option; you must pay the entire fine to have the suspension lifted.
If you cannot afford to pay the fine in full, you can contact the issuing authority to ask about a payment plan. Some authorities will allow you to pay in instalments, which may prevent or lift a suspension. You must make this request before the due date if possible, though some authorities will negotiate even after suspension has begun.
If a court orders you to pay a fine — for example, after you are convicted of a driving offence — and you do not pay by the court's important date, your licence will be suspended. Again, payment of the full amount is required to lift the suspension. If you are struggling to pay a court-ordered fine, you can return to court to ask for more time or a payment plan, but you must do this before the important date passes.
Serious driving offences and court-ordered suspensions
When you are convicted of a serious driving offence — such as dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or refusing a breath test — the court may suspend your licence as part of the sentence. These suspensions are different from demerit point suspensions because they are imposed by a judge and can last much longer.
The length of a court-ordered suspension depends on the offence, your driving history, and the judge's decision. A first-time drink-driving offence might result in a six-month suspension, while a dangerous driving conviction could lead to a suspension of several years. The court will tell you the suspension period when you are sentenced.
You cannot shorten a court-ordered suspension by paying a fine or waiting out demerit points. The suspension lasts for the period the court set. In some cases, you may be able to explore to the court for a review after a certain time has passed, but this requires legal representation and is not may provide to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my licence is suspended?
No. Driving while suspended is a criminal offence in Victoria. You cannot legally drive for any reason — work, emergencies, or short trips — unless you have a work licence granted by the court. If you are caught driving while suspended, you face fines up to several thousand dollars, a criminal record, and an extended suspension period.
How long does a demerit point suspension last?
A first demerit point suspension lasts three months. If you receive a second suspension within five years, it lasts six months. A third suspension within five years lasts 12 months. The suspension begins on the date VicRoads notifies you, and you will receive a letter telling you the exact end date.
What happens if I pay a fine after my licence is suspended?
Once you pay the fine in full, contact VicRoads to confirm the suspension has been lifted. There may be a short delay between payment and the system updating, so allow a few business days. You can then legally drive again. Check your online VicRoads account or call 13 11 71 to confirm the suspension status before you drive.
Can I get a work licence while suspended?
A work licence allows you to drive for work purposes only during a suspension period, but it is not automatic. You must explore to VicRoads or request one through the court. Work licences are not available for all suspension types — for example, they are usually not granted for demerit point suspensions — and approval depends on your circumstances and the reason for the suspension.
What if I disagree with the suspension?
If you believe the suspension was issued in error, contact VicRoads when ready with your licence number and details of the issue. If the suspension is due to a fine you dispute, you can challenge the fine in court within a set time frame. If it is a court-ordered suspension, you may be able to appeal the court's decision, but you will need a lawyer to do this.