HABITUAL OFFENDER SCHEME
The Habitual Offender Scheme has been set up by the Road Transport Authority (‘RTA’) which issues penalties to people who repeatedly commit serious traffic offences.
Under the Habitual Offender Scheme there are a number of circumstances whereby a person can be classed as a Habitual Offender, including the most common situation:
- If a driver accumulates 3 convictions for serious traffic offences or a relevant offence (as defined in a list provided in the “Relevant Offences” page) within a 5 year period then the driver will be declared as a “Habitual Offender” by the Courts and the RTA.
Very serious and harsh penalties will apply to any person who has been declared a Habitual Offender including being disqualified from driving for an automatic period of 5 years. This 5 year disqualification period will commence once any other period of disqualification handed down by the Court has expired.
For example if a person is given a disqualification period for their 3rd major offence within a 5 year period then they will also be declared a Habitual Offender and receive a further 5 year period of disqualification on top of the penalties received for their 3rd major offence.
The Court has discretion to order that a longer period of disqualification be issued on the person. For example this may include a disqualification for “life”.
Whilst the automatic disqualification period issued to a Habitual Offender is 5 years the Court has discretion to reduce that period of disqualification down to the minimum period of 2 years.
If you have committed your 3rd major traffic offence within a 5 year period and you are looking at being declared a Habitual Offender by the Courts then we suggest you contact our office immediately – Call (02) 9283 8622.
We will devise a plan to help you reduce the period of disqualification imposed by the Court should you be declared a Habitual Offender. It is important that you contact us as soon as possible because there is no right of appeal against additional disqualification periods imposed for being declared a Habitual Offender.
Habitual Offender Scheme
CONTACT US ABOUT HABITUAL OFFENDER SCHEME:
Sydney Drink Driving Lawyers | DUI Solicitors NSW
Email: jaboorman@beazleysingleton.com.au
Please contact Josh Boorman today to discuss your matter over the telephone or via email for an initial FREE consultation about Habitual Offender Scheme.