Singapore’s Revised Demerit Points System for Traffic Offences

Singapore motorists will face a significantly stricter demerit points regime from 1 January 2027, following the government’s announcement of major changes to the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS), commonly known as the demerit points system.

Among the most significant changes are a lower threshold for suspending/revoking a driving licence and longer suspension periods for repeat offenders. The changes come amid broader efforts to improve road safety following an increase in dangerous driving behaviour and traffic violations.

This article explains:

• Singapore’s demerit points system and how it interacts with the Road Traffic Act
• The key upcoming changes to Singapore’s demerit points system
• Whether motorists can appeal against demerit points or suspensions
• What happens if a suspension is ignored

What is Singapore’s Driver Improvement Point System (DIPS)?

The Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS) is a point regime to identify and rehabilitate errant drivers through a system of rewards and punishments. As demerit points are meted out by the Traffic Police, the DIPS functions as an administrative enforcement mechanism rather than a criminal punishment.

It is important to note that the DIPS is a regime which exists alongside the Road Traffic Act. A motorist who commits a traffic offence may be awarded demerit points but nevertheless remains liable for the full penalty that the offence carries as stated in the Road Traffic Act. This may include fines, imprisonment, disqualification from driving, or a combination of these penalties.

The full list of offences and the demerit points they carry can be found in the “Scheduled offences” section of the Road Traffic (Driver Improvement Points System) Rules. These are some examples of demerits points for specific traffic offences:

Demerit points are accumulated, and when they reach a certain number within a threshold period, the motorist may risk suspension or even losing his/her licence. Under the current regime, the driver licence of a non-probationary motorist who has been awarded 24 demerit points within a period of 24 months may be suspended. For probationary motorists, their licence may be revoked if they accumulate 13 demerit points within a period of 12 months. Both thresholds are being lowered under the revised system from 2027, as discussed further below.

On the other hand, the Traffic Police also rewards motorists for good driving behaviour. A licence holder who does not commit any traffic offence for 12 months from the date of their last offence will have their accumulated demerit points removed from their record.

What are the Main Changes to the DIPS Coming Into Effect from January 2027?

The changes to the DIPS fall into four parts:

1. A lower suspension/revocation threshold;
2. Longer suspensions at every tier;
3. Smaller reduction in suspension period following retraining courses; and
4. A one-off adjustment of every motorist’s existing points balance on the day the new rules take effect.

1. A lower suspension/revocation threshold 

Under the new revised system, the maximum number of demerit points a non-probationary motorist is allowed to accumulate within 24 months before being suspended will be reduced from 24 to 18. For probationary motorists, the threshold at which their licence will be revoked during their 12-month probation period will be reduced from 13 demerit points to 12. This allows the Traffic Police to suspend errant motorists and keep them off the roads sooner.

To put these changes into perspective, exceeding the speed limit on a road by more than 40 kilometres and up to 50 kilometres per hour, which carries 18 demerit points, is enough, on its own, to trigger the suspension of a non-probationary motorist under the revised threshold. For probationary motorists, beating a red light (12 demerit points) or holding and using their phone while driving (12 demerit points) will also see their licences immediately revoked.

2. Longer suspension

Another change is longer suspension periods for errant drivers, which escalate sharply with each further suspension. Under the new revised system, the suspension periods will be increased from 12 weeks to 4 months for first-time suspensions. For second-time suspensions, the period will be increased from 24 weeks to 6 months. The third suspension will be increased from 1 year to 2 years, and suspensions beyond that will each last 5 years.

3. Smaller reduction in suspension period following retraining courses

The DIPS Retraining Course is a voluntary 1.5-day programme offered by the Traffic Police to suspended motorists, who can reduce their suspension on completion of the programme. At present, a motorist serving a first suspension who passes the course can reduce their suspension period from 12 weeks to 4 weeks (or to a single week where no accident was involved). A motorist serving a second suspension can have a 24 weeks’ suspension halved to 12 weeks after completing the course.

Under the new revised system, the course will be offered only to those facing a first suspension and completing it will only reduce the suspension period from 4 months to 6 weeks.

4. A one-off adjustment of every motorist’s existing demerit point balance

To facilitate the implementation of the stricter new regime, there will be a one-time adjustment of demerit points for all motorists. Before the new regime takes effect in 2027, non-probationary motorists will have 6 demerit points waived, while probationary motorists will have 1 point waived. For example, a non-probationary motorist with 22 demerit points on 31 December will have 16 demerit points come 1 January 2027. The deduction will not apply to offences committed on or after 1 January 2027.

Can motorists Appeal Against Demerit Points or Suspensions?

The appeal mechanism remains unchanged under the new revised system. A motorist may only appeal against the award of demerit points if they had a medical emergency and with supporting documentary proof. Without them, any appeal of demerit points, suspensions or disqualification of driving licence will be rejected. You may submit an appeal on the Singapore Traffic Police website here.

What Happens If You Ignore a Suspension?

Driving while your licence is suspended is a serious criminal offence under section 47(5) of the Road Traffic Act. Under section 47E, a person convicted of the offence is liable to a fine of up to $5,000 or to imprisonment for up to 2 years or to both.

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The 2027 reforms represent a shift towards earlier intervention against errant drivers. By lowering the threshold, the Traffic Police can step in sooner, before a motorist accumulates the number of offences that would previously have been tolerated. By lengthening the suspension periods, the reforms also keep those drivers off the road for longer. Both changes serve to keep our roads safer for everybody.

If you are facing charges for road traffic-related offences, it is important to seek legal advice from a criminal defence lawyer. A lawyer can prepare representations,  assess whether the available evidence supports the charge and ultimately advise you on whether contesting the charges is realistic.