Focused guide
Penalty & demerit point system
Everything about demerit points in one place — the numbers that suspend a licence, common offences, and how to stay safe. Concise, easy to remember, and complete.
🇸🇬
Singapore (DIPS)
The one rule to remember
24 demerit points in 24 months = 3-month suspension.
Memory hook: "24 in 24 → out for 3." Twenty-four points in twenty-four months means three months off the road.
At a glance
24 pts
Suspension threshold
within any 24 months
12 pts
New driver threshold
within first 12 months
3 months
First suspension
for hitting 24 points
Longer
Repeat suspension
6+ months / possible revocation
12 pts
Red light offence
one of the highest common offences
6 pts
Mobile phone
holding phone while driving
How suspension escalates
124 points (1st time)3-month suspension
224 points again within 12 months of restoration6-month suspension
3Suspended before + reach 24 againLicence revocation
4New driver: 12 points in first yearLicence revoked — must re-sit all tests
Common offences & points
| Offence | Demerit points |
|---|
| Running a red light | 12 pts |
| Reckless driving | 12 pts |
| Driving against traffic flow | 12 pts |
| Drink-driving (above limit) | 12 pts + court |
| Speeding 31+ km/h over the limit | 6–24 pts |
| Speeding 21–30 km/h over the limit | 6 pts |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 6 pts |
| Failing to give way to a pedestrian | 6 pts |
| Crossing double white lines | 6 pts |
| Not wearing a seat belt | 3 pts |
| Speeding 1–20 km/h over the limit | 0 pts (fine only) |
Note: Point values follow the official Traffic Police / police schedules and can change — always confirm the current figure with the official source before relying on it.
New & probationary drivers
During the first 12 months you hold a licence you are on probation. Reaching just 12 demerit points in that year means your licence is revoked and you must re-sit the tests — half the normal threshold, so drive extra carefully.
How points clear & recovery
Demerit points are counted on a rolling 24-month basis — older offences drop off after 24 months from the date of the offence. After serving a suspension, you start with a clean slate for that period, but repeat offences within 12 months of restoration lead to longer suspensions. Safe driving is the only reliable way to protect your licence.
🇯🇵
Japan (違反点数)
The one rule to remember
15 violation points = licence revoked.
Memory hook: "6-9-12-15": suspensions start at 6, and 15 points takes the licence away completely.
At a glance
6–8 pts
30-day suspension
in 1 year, no prior record
9–11 pts
60-day suspension
in 1 year
12–14 pts
90-day suspension
in 1 year
15+ pts
Revocation (取消)
or with a prior suspension
How suspension escalates
16–8 points30-day suspension
29–11 points60-day suspension
312–14 points90-day suspension
415+ pointsLicence revocation
5Prior suspension on recordRevocation at lower point totals
Common offences & points
| Offence | Violation points |
|---|
| Drink-driving — drunk (酔い) | 25 pts + criminal |
| Drink-driving — impaired (酒気帯び) | 13 pts |
| Speeding 30–50 km/h over (general road) | 6 pts |
| Speeding 25–30 km/h over | 3 pts |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 3 pts |
| Running a red light | 2 pts |
| Failing to stop at 一時停止 | 2 pts |
| Not yielding to pedestrian at crossing | 2 pts |
| Not wearing a seat belt | 1 pt |
| Illegal parking (dangerous location) | 1–2 pts |
Note: Point values follow the official Traffic Police / police schedules and can change — always confirm the current figure with the official source before relying on it.
New & probationary drivers
In your first year on a regular licence you follow the beginner (初心運転者) rules. Accumulating 3 or more points can trigger a compulsory beginner re-training lecture — points count faster against new drivers, so build safe habits early.
How points clear & recovery
Violation points are counted in a rolling 1-year window for suspension purposes. After a suspension is served, the clock resets for that tier — but a prior suspension means revocation can happen at a lower total next time. Attend any required lectures promptly and avoid even minor offences during your first year.
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