The short version
- NSW has no work licence, restricted licence or hardship licence.
- A suspension applies to every class on your licence, so a car offence also stops you driving trucks.
- Eligible professional drivers can apply to lift their demerit point limit to 14 points, in person, before the suspension starts.
- A 12-month good behaviour period may be an option, but 2 or more points in that time doubles the suspension.
- Driving while suspended carries up to $3,300 and 6 months in prison for a first offence, plus disqualification.
In this article
- Does NSW Have a Work Licence?
- A Car Suspension Also Stops You Driving Trucks
- What Are the Alternatives to a Work Licence?
- The Professional Driver Demerit Point Limit
- What Is a Good Behaviour Period?
- Can a Licence Suspension Be Appealed?
- What Happens If You Drive While Suspended?
- Why Timing Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Speak With Eric Before Your Suspension Starts
For most truck drivers, losing your licence means losing your income. One of the first questions a truck driver in NSW asks is whether they can get a “work licence” so they can keep driving for their job.
In New South Wales, the short answer is no. But that does not mean you have no options. What you do in the days after you receive a suspension notice can make a big difference.
Does NSW Have a Work Licence?
No. NSW does not offer a work licence, restricted licence or hardship licence that lets you keep driving for work while suspended.
This catches out many drivers who have heard about work licences in other states. If your NSW licence is suspended, you cannot drive at all during the suspension period. Needing your licence for work does not stop a suspension from taking effect.
A Car Suspension Also Stops You Driving Trucks
This is the part many drivers don’t realise. A NSW licence suspension applies to every class on your licence, including heavy vehicle classes.
If you pick up demerit points in your own car, the suspension still takes you off the road in the truck. For drivers, owner-drivers and contractors, that can mean lost shifts, lost contracts and serious pressure on the business.
What Are the Alternatives to a Work Licence?
While NSW has no work licence, there may be other options depending on why your licence is being suspended. These include:
- the professional driver demerit point limit (14 points)
- a 12-month good behaviour period
- an appeal to the Local Court for certain types of suspension.
Each option has strict eligibility rules and deadlines. Most must be used before your suspension starts.
The Professional Driver Demerit Point Limit
The usual demerit point limit for an unrestricted (full) licence in NSW is 13 points. If you drive for a living, you may be able to have your limit increased to 14 points. If you are successful, your Notice of Suspension is withdrawn and you can keep driving.
You may qualify as a professional driver if:
- you are paid to drive a vehicle transporting goods, within NSW or interstate
- you are paid to drive for more than 20 hours a week
- you have held a current unrestricted NSW licence for the past 6 months
- you have exactly 13 demerit points
- your suspension has not started yet.
You must apply in person at a Service NSW centre before the suspension begins. You cannot apply online. You will need your Notice of Suspension and details of your employer, job title and paid driving hours. Transport for NSW may contact your employer to check the information.
The 13 points stay on your record. Any further demerit points over 13 will lead to an automatic suspension.
Providing false or misleading information on the declaration is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution.
What Is a Good Behaviour Period?
If you hold an unrestricted licence and receive a Notice of Suspension for demerit points, you may be able to elect a 12-month good behaviour period instead of serving the suspension. This is often called a “good behaviour licence”.
The key rules are:
- You must apply before your suspension starts.
- You may need to pass a Driver Knowledge Test first.
- If you get 2 or more demerit points during the 12 months, your licence is suspended for double the original period.
- That double suspension cannot be appealed.
- Once you apply, you cannot change your mind and serve the original suspension instead.
If you elect a good behaviour period and are later suspended again for demerit points, you cannot then apply for professional driver status. That is why it is worth getting advice before choosing an option.
For professional drivers who spend long hours on the road, a single speeding or mobile phone offence during the 12 months can be enough to trigger the double suspension.
Received a Notice of Suspension?
Get advice before the start date. Most of your options close once the suspension begins.
Can a Licence Suspension Be Appealed?
Some suspensions can be appealed to the Local Court. Others cannot. It depends on the type of suspension and the type of licence you hold.
Demerit point suspensions (unrestricted licence)
If you hold a full licence and reach 13 or more demerit points, you cannot appeal the suspension. Your options are the professional driver limit (if eligible) or a good behaviour period.
Transport for NSW suspensions (for example, camera-detected speeding)
These can be appealed. You must lodge your appeal at least one day before the suspension is due to start. If you lodge in time, the suspension is paused and you can keep driving until your court date.
Police on-the-spot suspensions
These can be appealed within 28 days of the suspension. However, you remain suspended and must not drive until the court hears your appeal. The court can only lift or shorten the suspension if there are exceptional circumstances. This is a high bar, and needing your licence for work is not always enough on its own.
If an appeal is unsuccessful, you may also be ordered to pay the other side’s legal costs. Read more in our guide: Licence Suspended in NSW? Steps to Get It Back Sooner.
What Happens If You Drive While Suspended?
Driving while suspended is a criminal offence in NSW. It can turn a temporary suspension into a much longer disqualification.
First offence
Maximum fine: $3,300
Maximum prison term: 6 months
Minimum disqualification: 3 months
Default disqualification: 6 months
Second or subsequent offence
Maximum fine: $5,500
Maximum prison term: 12 months
Minimum disqualification: 6 months
Default disqualification: 12 months
Police can also impound your vehicle or confiscate number plates for repeated unauthorised driving.
A court disqualification also cancels your licence. At the end of the disqualification, you must reapply for your licence. For a truck driver, a conviction and disqualification can affect future employment, insurance and contracts.
Why Timing Matters
Most of the options above disappear once your suspension starts. If you have received any of the following, get advice straight away:
- a Notice of Suspension from Transport for NSW
- a police on-the-spot suspension
- a court attendance notice for a driving offence
- a penalty notice that will take you to 13 or more demerit points.
Early advice can help you understand which options are available, the deadlines that apply and the risks of each choice.
Check your demerit points before you decide.
You can see your current demerit point balance through your MyServiceNSW account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a truck driver get a work licence in NSW?
No. NSW does not offer a work licence, restricted licence or hardship licence. If your NSW licence is suspended, you cannot drive at all during the suspension period, even if you need your licence for work.
Does a suspension for an offence in my car stop me driving a truck?
Yes. A NSW licence suspension applies to every class on your licence, including heavy vehicle classes. Demerit points you pick up in your own car can still take you off the road in the truck.
Who can apply for the 14-point professional driver limit?
You may qualify if you are paid to drive a vehicle transporting goods for more than 20 hours a week, have held a current unrestricted NSW licence for the past 6 months, have exactly 13 demerit points and your suspension has not started yet. You must apply in person at a Service NSW centre before the suspension begins.
Can I appeal a demerit point suspension on a full licence?
No. If you hold an unrestricted licence and reach 13 or more demerit points, you cannot appeal the suspension. Your options are the professional driver limit (if eligible) or a 12-month good behaviour period.
What happens if I get demerit points during a good behaviour period?
If you get 2 or more demerit points during the 12 months, your licence is suspended for double the original period. That double suspension cannot be appealed.
What is the penalty for driving while suspended in NSW?
For a first offence, the maximum penalty is a $3,300 fine and 6 months in prison, with a minimum 3-month disqualification (6 months by default). For a second or subsequent offence, the maximum is $5,500 and 12 months in prison, with a minimum 6-month disqualification (12 months by default).
Speak With Eric Before Your Suspension Starts
Eric Navea is a traffic lawyer in Sydney who helps truck drivers and professional drivers across NSW with:
- licence suspension appeals
- demerit point and professional driver options
- good behaviour period advice
- driving while suspended charges
- heavy vehicle and traffic court matters.
Eric will identify the immediate issues, important deadlines and the information needed to properly assess your position.
If your licence is at risk, speak with Eric before your suspension starts.
Speak With Eric Before You RespondDisclaimer
This article is general information only, current as at 19 October 2026, and is not legal advice. Penalty amounts are taken from NSW Government sources current at the date of publication and can change. Case outcomes depend on the individual facts and circumstances of each matter.
