AARTO demerit points for learners
What the 2026 regulations actually say about learner drivers — and why the circulating 6-point threshold is not current law.
Last verified: August 2026. Calculate demerit points → · Updates & sources →
Demerit enforcement under AARTO Act sections 24–28 is not live. This page explains how the published schedule would apply to learner drivers once those sections are proclaimed.
The short answer
Under the AARTO Regulations, 2026, learner drivers use the same 15-point disqualification threshold as other natural-person drivers. There is no separate learner mode in DemeritCheck because the maths does not change.
Where the “6-point learner” claim came from
Older blogs and insurer summaries often say learner drivers are disqualified at 6 demerit points. That figure traces to draft explanatory material published with Gazette 43758 (2 October 2020) — a consultation package, not an in-force instrument. The enacted 2026 regulations (GN R.7646, Gazette 54922) do not carry a lower learner total. See the updates changelog →
What still applies to learners
- Schedule 3 demerit values for each charge code apply regardless of licence class once a matter is final.
- Learner-licence specific charges (driving without a licensed driver, carrying passengers where not allowed, and similar) still appear in the licensing and permits category.
- Pending vs final still matters: only final offences should be scored toward an illustrative total.
How to estimate a learner total
Use the calculator, search by charge code from the infringement notice, mark each row Pending or Final, and read the total against 15. For the underlying rules, read how demerit points work and the learners FAQ.
PrDP & demerit points → · Fine vs demerit points → · Licence suspension →