Singapore Demerit Points 2027: Suspension Threshold Drops to 18 Points
If you are studying for your BTT or FTT, or you already hold a licence, this is one of the most important road rule changes of the year. The Traffic Police announced it on 31 July 2026, and it takes effect in just a few weeks. Here is what changes, what stays the same, and what it means for you.
Why the System Is Being Tightened
The Traffic Police say road safety has deteriorated. Road fatalities rose from 142 in 2024 to 149 in 2025, a ten year high, and the number of injured persons climbed by 6.6 percent to 9,955. The tougher demerit regime is meant to deter violations and keep repeat offenders off the road for longer, and it complements the Road Traffic amendments passed by Parliament this year.
What Changes on 1 January 2027
| Rule | Current | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension threshold (full licence) | 24 points | 18 points within 24 months |
| First suspension period | 12 weeks | 4 months |
| Licence revocation (probationary drivers) | 13 points | 12 points |
| DIPS Retraining Course | Shortens suspension to 1 or 4 weeks | First suspension only, shortens 4 months to 6 weeks |
| Safe Driving Course | Removes 4 demerit points | Discontinued |
Suspension periods for second and later suspensions will also become longer, so repeat offenders face progressively longer time off the road.
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Offences That Now Carry 18 Points
Because the suspension threshold is now 18 points, there is no practical need to award more than that for a single offence. Offences that currently carry 24 points will be revised to 18 points. These are:
- Exceeding the vehicular speed limit by more than 50 km/h
- Exceeding the road speed limit by more than 50 km/h
- Reckless or dangerous driving
In practical terms, a single one of these offences will now be enough to trigger a suspension on its own.
New Drivers Face a Lower Limit
If you are within your one year probation period, your licence will be revoked once you reach 12 demerit points, down from 13. That is a very small margin. A handful of ordinary offences, such as speeding or using a phone while driving, can add up faster than most new drivers expect.
The Safe Driving Course Is Going Away
The Safe Driving Course was a 4 hour 20 minute course that let drivers with points, but below the suspension threshold, remove 4 demerit points. The Traffic Police found that only 15 percent of those offered the course last year took it up, and that it made little difference to re-offending rates. Offer letters stopped on 1 August 2026, and the course ends completely on 1 January 2027. If you already received an offer letter, you must complete the course by 31 December 2026.
The One Time Points Adjustment
To make sure no one is pushed closer to suspension or revocation just because the rules changed, the system will deduct points once on 1 January 2027:
- Up to 6 demerit points for full licence holders
- Up to 1 demerit point for probationary drivers
The deduction comes off your total as of 31 December 2026. If your balance is lower than the amount to be deducted, it is set to zero, and any remaining deduction can be applied to offences committed before 1 January 2027, even if the notice is issued later. The adjustment does not apply to offences committed on or after 1 January 2027, and any composition fines you owe remain payable.
What This Means for BTT and FTT Candidates
Questions on demerit points and licence suspension are tested around the consequences of unsafe driving. Until the new rules take effect, the current thresholds still apply in the real world, but you should expect the 18 point and 12 point figures to become the numbers that matter from 2027 onward. When in doubt, check the Traffic Police website for the latest official table.
For a general introduction to how the system works, see our guide on demerit points in Singapore, then use this article for the new numbers.
Key Takeaway
Eighteen points is now the number to remember for full licence holders, and twelve for new drivers. The best protection has not changed: drive within the speed limit, keep your phone out of your hand, and treat every offence as a step toward losing your licence for months, not weeks.
Road rules are changing on the pricing side too. Our latest article on Singapore's ERP gantry removal and the new blue road markings explains what drivers will see on the road next.