Suspension of Driver's Licence by the RTA

In the interest of public safety, the RTA can suspend the driver’s license for any period it deems proper to protect the public against unfit and reckless drivers. However, the authority of the RTA to suspend the driver’s license is not automatic.

Before issuing an order for the cancellation or suspension of the driver’s licence, it must review the driving record of the offending driver using the point system as its administrative guide.

Under the The Road Transport (Drivers Licensing) Regulation, each traffic offence committed by the driver has a corresponding demerit points which are a part of the penalty for the offence. If the offence was committed during a holiday or long weekend when Friday and Monday were declared public holidays, the demerit points are doubled which may be received before further action is taken or formal hearing was conducted.

If 12 to 15 demerit points were incurred within a period of three years, the license suspension period of the driver will run up to three months. If the demerit points earned is between 16-19 points within a period of three years, the driver’s licence will be suspended for a period of four months. And the suspension will be five months if the demerit points are between 17-20 points.