Vehicle offences

Reasons we will consider leniency

Offences under 20km/h where the driver has a clear driving record for 10 years prior to the offence date.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118.

If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we won't consider leniency 

• Offences in Class B/C vehicles (heavy vehicles).
• School zone speeding.
• Offences over 20km/h.
• I did not see the signs.
• I believe my speedometer is misreading my speed.
• I will lose my licence if I do not receive leniency.

For public safety, these offences are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Reasons we will consider leniency

• I purchased a valid parking ticket, but did not display it correctly.
• I paid for parking through an authorised smart phone app and received verification of the transaction.
• The parking ticket machine/meter was faulty.
• I went to get change for the meter.
• I placed money in the wrong meter or bay.
• My vehicle was broken down at the time of the offence.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• A copy of the valid parking ticket
• Details of the time you attempted to make payment and the parking machine fault reference number
• Documentary evidence verifying your payment (e.g. smart phone transaction history)
• A copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation.

Reasons we won't consider leniency 

• I was unfamiliar with the area.
• I did not notice the requirement to pay.
• I exceeded the time restrictions and purchased another ticket.
• This is my first offence.
• A clear driving record.

Reasons we will consider leniency

I, or the person I was transporting, have a valid Mobility Parking Permit, but it was not displayed correctly at the time of the offence.

Evidence required

Provide a copy of both sides of the relevant valid permit.

Please note that usually only the first offence of this type will be considered.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I do not have a permit and this is my first offence.
• I did not see the signs.
• I had a recent injury and thought I could park there.
• I was not there for long.

 Reasons we will consider leniency

• There was a medical emergency.
• My vehicle was broken down.
• My vehicle was stolen.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:  

• medical emergency – refer to personal circumstance section
• a copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation
• evidence of stolen vehicle – a report or an event number from police.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I only stopped for a short time.
• There was no other parking available.
• I/we needed to find a bathroom.
• I was dropping or picking up passengers.
• I did not see the sign.
• A clear driving record.

Reasons we will consider leniency

• My vehicle is permitted to be parked in a loading zone, and I was engaged in setting down or picking up goods or passengers.
• I purchased a valid loading zone ticket relevant to the vehicle I used at the time of the offence.
• I could not obtain a ticket for the loading zone because the machine was faulty.
• My vehicle was broken down at the time of the offence.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• a copy or details of your valid ticket
• where applicable details of the time you attempted to make payment and the parking machine fault reference number
• a copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I was unfamiliar with the area.
• I was not there long.
• There were no other parks.
• This is my first offence.
• A clear driving record.

We are unable to consider your driving record for non demerit parking offences as they are not recorded on your driving record

Reasons we will consider leniency

• I received a fine for parking in a special/restricted zone, but I am authorised to park there.
• My vehicle was broken down at the time of the offence

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• documentation of your authority to park in the zone
• a copy of mechanical repairs, towing or other documentation.

Details of your claim will be checked against the information recorded by the issuing officer.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• This is my first offence.
• I was not notified that the restrictions were changing.
• I am a local resident and was not aware of the event.
• A clear driving record.

Reasons we will consider leniency

Where the driver has a clear driving record for 10 years prior to the offence date, demerit offences will be considered such as:

• Exceeding speed under 20km/h.
• Bus lane.
• T-Way.
• Transit lane.
• Not give way.
• Not stop at stop line.
• Disobey no left/right turn sign.
• Yellow light offences.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118.

If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• Exceeding speed over 20km/h.
• All red light offences.
• All school zone offences.
• Mobile phone offences.
• Offences that pose significant risk to other road users.
• I will lose my licence if I do not receive leniency.

For public safety, these offences are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Reasons we will consider leniency

I was directed to travel through the red light by an authorised officer.

Evidence required

Proof of situations such as road works or an emergency at the time of offence.

We may refer to Transport for NSW for advice.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• A clear driving record.
• Claims that you were not able to stop in time.
• Claims that you could not see the lights.
• Claims that the light was yellow when you entered the intersection (red light offences are only issued when the light is red before the vehicle enters the intersection).

For public safety, these offences are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Reasons we will consider leniency

• I received a fine for being unlicensed and/or unregistered, but I believe there is an error with Transport for NSW (or the relevant transport authority).
• I paid the vehicle registration prior to the due date.
• I am a pensioner and paid the Comprehensive Third Party (CTP) insurance and my car had been inspected by a licenced mechanic.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• details and evidence of your claim with information from the relevant authority supporting you were licenced and/or the vehicle was registered at the time of the offence
• documentary evidence that payment was made prior to the registration renewal due date.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I was unaware that the registration or licence had expired.
• This is my first offence.
• I am not the owner of the vehicle.

Reasons we will consider leniency

• I am authorised to travel in this lane.
• I have a clear driving record for 10 years prior to the offence date.
• I was directed to travel in this lane by an authorised officer.
•  There was an accident or emergency situation and I had to travel in this lane.
• I received two fines for offences detected within a short period of time.
• I realised I should not be driving in this area and tried to correct my error.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• documentation that you are authorised to travel in this lane
• documentation supporting there was an accident or emergency situation at the time the offence occurred.

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I was unfamiliar with the area.
• I was following GPS navigation.

Reasons we will consider leniency

I did not commit the offence, was not stopped by police and believe another person has used my identity.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• evidence supporting that you were not in the location at the time of the offence
• an event number from the police for a report of stolen identity or loss of wallet
• copies of photo identity.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

Leniency is not considered for mobile phone offences due to the serious safety risks associated with this offence.

Drivers are not permitted to hold a mobile phone while driving to perform any function on the phone including playing music, using maps, texts, or emails etc

Reasons we will consider leniency

I paid the toll before the fine was issued.

Please note that E-Toll Tag payments are only valid if sufficient funds were available at the time of the trip.

Evidence required

A copy of your account statement that shows funds available on the date of the trip.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I paid the toll notice after the fine was issued.
• I did not realise there were no funds in my account.
• My E-Toll Tag did not work.

Reasons we will consider leniency

• I have been driving in Australia for more than 10 years without an offence, and the unrestrained person in the vehicle was one passenger over the age of 16.
• I am a delivery driver and was travelling under 25km/h making deliveries at the time.
• I was not wearing a seatbelt for medical reasons and produced a medical certificate at the time I was stopped by police.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.
  
  If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118
  
  If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.
  
  Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.
• documentation confirming the driver was making deliveries at the time
• supporting medical evidence.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• Any offence for an unrestrained child (under 16).
• Any offence where a seatbelt is not worn correctly.
• All offences where safety restraints are not properly installed.
• Where a medical exemption is supplied after the fine has been issued.

A medical exemption for not wearing a seatbelt must be produced to the police at the time requested. We are unable to accept an exemption after the fact.

Reasons we will consider leniency

• I received a fine for not displaying L or P plates.
• One of my plates fell off during my journey and this is the first time I have received a fine for this offence.
• I did not receive another fine at the same time.
• I have a clear driving record for 10 years prior to the offence date.
• Driving record is considered from when a provisional licence is held.

Evidence required

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Details of your claim, this will be checked against the information provided by the reporting officer.
• If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required. If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• General traffic, licence and speeding offences are not considered.
• I had no P or L plates displayed.

Reasons we will consider leniency

I have a clear driving history with no offences in the last 10 years prior to the offence.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I slowed right down but did not stop.
• The stop sign is new. 

Reasons we will consider leniency

• I have a clear driving record for 10 years prior to the offence date.

Leniency will only be considered after reviewing the severity of the offence in consultation with the issuing authority.

Evidence required

If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

 If you have held a NSW drivers licence for more than 10 years, no evidence is required.

If you are requesting a caution due to your driving record, please call us on 1300 138 118

If you hold a licence in a state or territory other than NSW, you must be able to provide a certified copy of your driving record for the 10 years prior to the offence date.

Revenue NSW is not able to consider international driving records as driving conditions and offences are not comparable

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I was not aware that there was a requirement for an auxiliary plate on a bike rack.
• I made my own plate.
• I did not realise the plate was obscured.

Offences for obscured number plates are not generally considered.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

Generally, leniency is not considered for school zone offences due to the serious safety risks associated with these offences.

For public safety, these circumstances are not considered based solely on a clear driving record.

Reasons we will consider leniency

I sold this vehicle prior to this offence and have notified Transport for NSW about the change of ownership before this fine was issued.

Evidence required

A copy of the notice of disposal.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

• I gave the car away and/or did not properly dispose of the vehicle.
• This is my first offence.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

Vehicles which do not meet Australian Safety Standards can pose significant risks to other road users. Due to the seriousness of these offences, it is unlikely that a caution will be given.

Reasons we will consider leniency

The vehicle was stolen at the time of the offence.

Evidence required

Details of the NSW Police event number or a printed copy of the interstate police report.

Reasons we won't consider leniency

Leniency is not considered for heavy vehicle offences due to the significant safety risks these offences pose.

For public safety, these circumstances are not considered based solely on a clear driving record