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Fines for careless driving – new law
Date created: 08 July 2008
Applies from 1 July 2008
Police may choose to issue a fine to someone if they believe that person has committed a careless driving offence. See ‘Careless & dangerous driving’, link below.
It is up to the police officer to apply the operational guidelines along with common sense judgement when deciding whether to proceed by infringement notice or by charging on summons.
Exceptions
This option is not possible where the driver is:
- a learner or P-plate driver or
- under 18.
These drivers will continue to be brought before the court to address the circumstances of the offence in the context of their driving inexperience.
Penalties
The fine for these offences is 2.4 penalty units. (See ‘Penalty & fee units’, link below, for the current value of a penalty unit.)
Drivers will also have three demerit points added to their licence.
Payment of the fine will not be seen as admission of guilt and no conviction will be recorded.
Options for dealing with the fine
The person fined may:
- ask for an internal review of their fine
- challenge the penalty in court instead of paying the fine
- pay the fine.
Infringement notices for other offences
Fines may also be issued under the trial scheme for shop-theft of goods valued under $600, offensive behaviour and various alcohol-related offences.
More Information
Related publications
Related pages
Traffic – frequently asked questions
Related legislation
Infringements and Other Acts Amendments Act 2008 (Vic)(new window)
Related websites
To find out more details about each of the offences, go to Frequently asked questions about the new infringements scheme on the Department of Justice website.