Implementation of GOJ Demerit System

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) will officially implement the administrative Demerit Point System on October 1, 2026, under the new Road Traffic Act. Motorists now have until September 30, 2026, to pay outstanding traffic tickets before demerit points begin accumulating.

While demerit points have existed in law since 1938, the previous system was deemed ineffective because points were only applied after traffic fines were paid. Enforcement was also hindered by paper-based records and the absence of an integrated electronic database.

After the Road Traffic Act was modernised in 2018 and came into effect in February 2023, the Government delayed implementing the demerit system to allow the courts and the Jamaica Constabulary Force to transition to the electronic Traffic Ticket Management System.

The Demerit System

Under the demerit system, every driver begins with zero points. Demerit points are added to a driver’s traffic record when specified offences are committed, and a driver’s licence is automatically suspended once the accumulated points reach the prescribed thresholds.

Licence Suspension Thresholds

The length of a driver’s licence suspension depends on how many points are accumulated:

• 10 to 13 points: Licence suspended for 6 months
• 14 to 19 points: Licence suspended for 1 year
• 20 or more points: Licence suspended for 2 years

Common Offences and Point Allocations

Points are allocated based on the severity of the infraction:

• Driving under the influence (DUI): 10 points
• Dangerous/reckless driving: 6 to 10 points
• Disobeying a traffic light or stop sign: 6 points
• Major speeding violations: 6 points
• Driving without insurance: 4 points
• Using a mobile phone while driving: 3 points
• Driving without a certificate of fitness: 3 points
• Driving without a seatbelt: 2 points

Note: Demerit points automatically expire and are cleared from your record after 15 months, provided your licence has not been suspended during that time.

For additional information, contact:

Island Traffic Authority

Address: 145 Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 10

Telephone: 876-926-8148 / 876-926-8298

Email: info@ita.gov.jm

Website: https://mtm.gov.jm/ita

Facebook: MSETTJamaica

Instagram: @msettjamaica

X: @islandtrafficJA