Cars can be so integral to our everyday living. However, they can also be the cause of so many problems. If you’re looking to buy a car and want to know about your rights related to insurance, fines, overseas driving, or what to do if you’re in a car accident, we've got the down low below.

Demerit Points

• Full licence holders have 13 points on their licence
• P1 drivers have 4 points on their licence
• P2 drivers have 7 points
• Demerit points apply to most traffic offences

Speeding Fines

• You can make a claim for review of a speeding fine if you have a clear driving record for a the previous ten years, except where you were caught driving more than 30KM/H over the speed limit or in a school zone.
• If you are caught speeding on your red P's, you can lose your license for at least three months and pay a hefty fine
• Non-payment of a fine or failure to respond can result in the loss of a license or a heavier fine

Parking Fines

Unlike speeding fines, you can’t ask for waiver of a parking fine on the basis of a clear driving record. If you can supply documentary proof, you can request review of a parking fine for various reasons including:

• A faulty parking meter (try to obtain a ‘fault reference number’ from the council)
• If your vehicle was broken down (ask for an NRMA callout number)
• Medical emergency
• If the person who received the fine has a diagnosed mental condition and this condition was a contributing factor
• If you have now sold the vehicle
• If you were directed to park in a restricted area by police/emergency service workers
• If you purchased a parking ticket but did not correctly display the ticket.
• If you are the owner of the vehicle but were not driving it at the time, complete a statutory declaration stating who was responsible

Car Accidents

• If you are in a car accident, at the scene of the accident make sure you:
• Write down information about the other car – their car plate, model, colour etc.
• Get the other driver’s contact details and information if possible
• Get details from any witnesses (particularly if your car sustained damages, and you were not at fault)
• Take notes about the circumstances of the accident and any damage to property
• Take a photograph or draw a diagram of the accident scene
• Note the time of the accident, place, street lighting, traffic conditions, weather or anything else you think may have contributed to the crash
• If police attend to get information from the driver and witnesses, ask police for their name and contact details