[2024 Update] Traffic offences in Singapore that carry demerit points & composition fines

(Photo Credit: Singapore Police Force)

Here is the full list of traffic offences that carry demerit points and composition fines in Singapore. Known as the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS), it was implemented by the Traffic Police in 1983.

For those unaware, motorists who commit traffic offences will accumulate demerit points (it starts at 0 points) under the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS).

Under DIPS, a motorist (with no prior suspension record with the Traffic Police) who accumulates 24 or more demerit points within 24 months will be suspended for a period of 12 weeks.

If a motorist has been previously suspended, their licence will be liable for subsequent suspension if they accumulate 12 or more demerit points within 12 consecutive months.

The suspension periods after the 1st suspension are as follows:

(a) 2nd suspension: 24 weeks
(b) 3rd suspension: 1 year
(c) 4th suspension: 2 years
(d) 5th suspension (onwards): 3 years.

For new or probationary drivers, their new driving licence will be revoked when they accumulate 13 or more demerit points during their probation period (12 months). Not only will their licence be revoked, but they will need to retake all the necessary driving tests (both theory and practical) to obtain a licence again. In addition, they can only retake the driving tests one year after the revocation of their licence.

Here’s a table highlighting every traffic offence that carries demerit points and composition fines. For those unaware, a composition fine is the exchange of monetary payment in order to avoid prosecution in the court of law.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) aims to increase protection for elderly and student pedestrians by enhancing demerit points and composition fines for traffic offences committed in Silver Zones and School Zones.

Motorists will expect two additional demerit points on top of the original points, with composition fines raised by $100 if committed. The following changes will take effect from 1 July 2021.

Appeal Letter Template: For Traffic Fines and Parking Offences in Singapore

*Motorists who incur 24 demerit points and above instantly face licence suspension

There are also fines and demerit points you may incur as a result of ERP-related transgressions. 

Here’s the good news! Demerit points collected are not permanent. They are instantly waived if the driver does not accumulate any additional demerit points for 12 months after his last offence.

The same applies for suspensions as well—they will be cleared from a driver’s record if he doesn’t commit any offences for two years after his licence was suspended.

However, do note that a driver’s licence will be revoked if he is suspended for driving from 12 months or longer. In order to get the licence back, he will have to re-sit for the theory test and traffic police driving test.

Last but not least, drivers who have not committed any traffic offences for three years straight will enjoy an additional 5% discount when renewing their car insurance at selected insurance companies. This discount is on top of their No-Claim Discount (NCD).

However, this discount is only eligible if they have not made any claims on their insurance for the past three years.

We hope you now have a better understanding of traffic offences in Singapore. Do note that the table above does not include most parking offences, as they do not come with demerit points.

For a full list of parking offences, check out our article here.

To check if you have any existing traffic offences, download the Motorist App and register your vehicle. You will receive a notification from us once a traffic offence has been detected. You can even pay the fine or file an appeal through the Motorist App.

Read More: Appeal Letter Template: For Traffic Fines and Parking Offences in Singapore

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