In short
- At the time of writing (October 2026), Queensland speeding fines run from $345 and 1 point (under 11 km/h over) to $1,986 and 8 points (more than 40 km/h over).[1]
- Double demerit points apply all year in Queensland, not just at holiday time: a second speeding offence of more than 20 km/h over within 12 months scores twice.[3]
- On an open licence, 12 or more points in 3 years brings a notice to choose between a suspension and a 1-year good driving behaviour period.[4]
- More than 40 km/h over means a 6-month suspension, including of a visitor's authority to drive in Queensland on an interstate or overseas licence.[5]
- A camera fine for a rental car reaches the company first. Rentzy passes it on with an A$55 fee per fine, or names you as the driver where the law allows.
How much is a speeding fine in Queensland?
The penalty depends on how far over the limit you were, not on the type of road. These are the amounts in the Queensland Government's demerit points schedule at the time of writing (October 2026). Fines change: they rose 3.5% on 1 July 2026 under the government's indexation policy, so check the schedule if you're reading this later.[1]
| Over the speed limit by | Demerit points | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 11 km/h[1] | 1 | $345 |
| 11 to 20 km/h[1] | 3 | $518 |
| More than 20, up to 30 km/h[1] | 4 | $777 |
| More than 30, up to 40 km/h[1] | 6 | $1,295 |
| More than 40 km/h[1] | 8 | $1,986, plus a 6-month suspension |
The lowest band covers anything under 11 km/h over the limit. Speeding also covers driving at a speed unsuitable for the conditions, such as rain, fog or heavy traffic, even under the posted number.[7] Driving at an unsafe speed approaching a children's or pedestrian crossing is a 3-point offence with a court-imposed penalty.[1] School zone limits are covered in school zones in Queensland.
How do demerit points work?
Queensland counts upwards. Everyone starts at zero and points are added to your traffic history for certain offences.[2] They count from the date of the offence but are recorded only once the fine is paid or referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) for non-payment, a court convicts you, or you receive an order for an interstate offence.[2]
Once points have been counted in a sanction notice they are treated as dealt with and aren't counted again.[2] A Queensland licence holder can check their balance through the government's online demerit points service.[2]
When do double demerit points apply in Queensland?
Unlike other states and territories, Queensland doesn't save double demerits for long weekends. They apply all year to a second or later offence in the same group committed within 12 months of an earlier one.[3] The groups are:
- speeding more than 20 km/h over the limit[3]
- mobile phone offences[3]
- driver seatbelt offences, and failing to make sure passengers under 16 are restrained[3]
- motorcycle helmet offences.[3]
For example, 25 km/h over is 4 points. Do it again within a year and the second offence adds 4 plus another 4, so 8 points for that one offence.[1][3] The offences don't have to be identical, only in the same group.[3]
How many demerit points before your licence is suspended?
It depends on the licence. Learner and provisional licences reach their limit at 4 or more points within a year; an open licence at 12 or more points within 3 years.[2] An open licence holder may get a warning letter at 7 or more points in 3 years.[4]
At 12 points the open licence holder receives an "Accumulation of demerit points – notice to choose" and must pick one of two options by the date on it:[4]
- A suspension. 12–15 points means 3 months, 16–19 points 4 months, and 20 or more 5 months.[4]
- A 1-year good driving behaviour period, keeping the licence. Collect 2 or more points during that year and the suspension doubles, for example from 4 months to 8.[4]
Make no choice by the due date and the suspension starts automatically the day after it. Driving while suspended is charged as unlicensed driving and goes to court.[4]
What happens if you're caught more than 40 km/h over?
Above 40 km/h over, the suspension doesn't depend on your points total. Once you're convicted (by paying the fine, going to court, or the ticket going to SPER), a notice suspends a Queensland licence for 6 months, or suspends for 6 months the authority to drive in Queensland on a licence from anywhere else.[5] The 8 demerit points still go on your record, and a repeat of more than 20 km/h over within a year attracts double points.[5]
Do demerit points apply on an interstate or overseas licence?
Yes, in their own way. If you're driving on an interstate or overseas licence and collect too many points, the government sends a notice that your authority to drive in Queensland will be withdrawn; the length depends on the type of licence you held when you committed the offences.[2][6]
Your authority to drive in Queensland can also be suspended for unpaid fines issued to you, or after a conviction for driving more than 40 km/h over the limit.[6] The Queensland pages don't say whether points are also reported to the authority that issued your licence. The other rules for visitors are in driving in Queensland on an overseas licence.
Who pays a speeding fine in a rental car?
You do, as the driver, but the notice goes first to the registered owner, which is the rental company. The steps for passing it on or transferring it are explained in fuel, parking and fines in Brisbane, and the different speed camera types in our Queensland road rules guide.
Sources
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Demerit points schedule (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): About demerit points (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Double demerit points (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Open licence demerit points (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): High speed licence suspension (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Driving in Queensland on an interstate or overseas licence (read 23 October 2026)
- Queensland Government (qld.gov.au): Speed limits (read 23 October 2026)
Written by the Rentzy team at Rentzy Car Rentals. Rentzy prices, fees and rules in this guide come from our published terms and update with them; rules set by others (roads, tolls, licences, transport) are from the official pages above, as read on the dates shown. Something out of date? Tell us.
