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Returning and surrendering a licence

Description

The different situations when a licence needs to be returned or surrendered are summarised below.
Returning relates to the legal requirements to hand in a licence and being unable to drive.
Surrendering relates to any voluntary handing in of a licence and being unable to drive.
More information is located at Loss of entitlement to drive and Getting a licence back and Getting a licence back - demerit points.

Suspension due to demerit points

You can have your licence suspended due to the accumulation of demerit points. As an alternative to suspension you can apply for a Period of Good Behaviour (does not apply if you hold a provisional or learner licence).
You must return your licence within 21 days from date of service of the notice.
More information is located at Loss of entitlement to drive - demerit points and Getting a licence back - demerit points.

Cancellation due to .05 infringements

A person who holds a full driver licence and is apprehended for exceeding .05 for a first offence may be issued an "on the spot" Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN) that leads to a 3 month period of disqualification.

Once-

  • The TIN has been paid for
  • You enter into a Payment Variation to pay the fine by installments with the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service;or
  • You do not pay the fine within 28 days of service of the infringement; 

You are taken to be convicted of the offence and a Notice of Disqualification will be sent to you.

Your disqualification will automatically begin 28 days after conviction, and your driver licence must be returned within 21 days of the disqualification commencing.  The start date of the disqualification cannot be changed or started earlier, regardless of whether your driver licence is returned prior to the stipulated start date.

Disqualification due to excessive speeding infringements

A person who is detected exceeding the speed limit by 38 km/h or more may be issued an "on the spot" Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN). This leads to a 3 month disqualification for offences 38 to 44 km/h over the limit, and a 4 month disqualification for offences 45 km/h or more over the limit.

Once -

  • the TIN has been paid; or
  • you enter into a payment Variation to pay the fine by installments with the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service; or
  • you do not pay the fine within 28 days of issue of the infringement notice;

You are taken to be convicted of the offence and a Notice of Disqualification will be sent to you.

Your disqualification will automatically begin 28 days after conviction, and your driver licence must be returned within 21 days of the disqualification commencing.  The start date of the disqualifaction cannot be changed or started earlier, regardless of whether your driver licence is returned prior to the stipulated start date.

Disqualification due to court order

The licence is normally returned at the court after the disqualification has been ordered.
If not, you must return your licence within 21 days from date of the court order.

Medical conditions

Before issuing a driver licence or at any other time, the Registrar must be satisfied that you are medically fit to drive and capable of driving safely.  If the Registrar is not satisfied your driver licence may be suspended or cancelled.
You must return your licence within 21 days from date of service of the notice.

Voluntary surrender (only Tasmanian driver licences)

You or someone in your behalf may surrender a licence for a variety of reasons including:

  • moving overseas
  • no longer wish to drive
  • incapacity to drive
  • death.

The Registrar is notified of a person's death in one of two ways:

  • by notification from the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages on a copy of the death certificate;
  • by notification from the executor of the estate or a relative.

Cancellation

The Registrar has the discretion to cancel a licence.
You must return your licence within 21 days from date of service of the notice of cancellation.

Refund

A refund of the licence fee is only available when a licence is surrendered in the following circumstances:

  • medical reasons
  • voluntary surrender
  • death.

Customer provides

You need to undertake the following by mail or in person through Service Tasmania shops or designated police stations, or the Court of Petty Sessions for a court order:

  • provide your current licence for surrender.

You also need to provide where applicable:

  • the notice of disqualification, suspension or ineligibility
  • proof of payment of any outstanding demerit points, excessive speeding or alcohol infringement fine
  • the notice of administrative suspension

Customer receives

You will receive:

  • a green receipt
  • a customer copy of any notice.