License suspension in NSW starts on the date specified in your suspension notice, not when you receive it

The suspension period begins on the date written in the official notice you receive from Transport NSW, regardless of when that notice arrives at your address. If the notice says your suspension starts on 15 March, your license is suspended from that date — even if you don't open the letter until 20 March. This matters because driving during the suspension period, even by one day, is a separate offense that carries its own penalty.

The suspension date depends on what caused the suspension. Some suspensions take effect when ready (like refusing a breath test), while others have a waiting period built in (like accumulating demerit points). Understanding which type applies to you determines whether you have days or weeks before the suspension actually begins.

Key Takeaways

  • Your suspension starts on the date printed in the Transport NSW notice, not the date you receive it in the mail.
  • when ready suspensions (refusal to provide a sample, certain traffic offenses) start the same day or within 24 hours of the incident.
  • Demerit point suspensions usually have a 28-day notice period before the suspension date takes effect.
  • You must stop driving on the suspension start date; driving during suspension is a separate offense with additional penalties.
  • If you do not receive your notice, you are still legally suspended on the date Transport NSW issued it, so check your online account regularly.

when ready suspensions that start within 24 hours

Certain offenses trigger an when ready suspension that begins the same day or the next day, with no waiting period. These include refusing or failing to provide a breath or blood sample, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit, or driving while disqualified. The police officer or testing station issues a notice on the spot or within hours, and the suspension is effective from that moment.

For breath test refusals and high BAC offenses, your license is often suspended at the roadside. You receive a paper notice stating the suspension start date, which is typically the date of the incident or the next calendar day. Transport NSW then sends formal confirmation by mail, but the suspension is already in force. If you were stopped on a Friday evening, your suspension may start that same Friday or the following Monday — the notice will specify which.

Driving while disqualified (when your license is already suspended or cancelled) also results in when ready suspension of any new license you hold. The suspension takes effect from the date of the offense, and you face both the original disqualification and additional charges for driving while disqualified.

Demerit point suspensions with a 28-day notice period

If you accumulate too many demerit points within a 12-month period, Transport NSW issues a notice of suspension that gives you 28 days before the suspension takes effect. This 28-day period is a notice period, not a grace period — you cannot drive without restriction during this time, but the formal suspension date has not yet arrived.

The notice will state two dates: the date the notice was issued and the date the suspension begins. For example, if Transport NSW issues the notice on 10 April, the suspension typically starts on 8 May (28 days later). You must stop driving on 8 May. The 28-day window is meant to give you time to arrange alternative transport, notify your employer, or pursue a review of the decision.

During the 28-day notice period, your license is still valid and you can still drive legally. However, if you receive additional demerit points during this time, they may extend the suspension length or trigger an when ready suspension. Once the suspension date arrives, you cannot drive at all until the suspension period ends.

How to find your exact suspension start date

The most reliable way to find your suspension start date is to check your Transport NSW online account. Log in to your account at transportnsw.info, navigate to your license details, and look for any active suspensions or notices. The suspension notice will display the start date clearly. This method works even if your mail has been delayed or lost.

If you received a paper notice from Transport NSW, the suspension start date is printed on the front of the notice, usually near the top or in a highlighted box. Read this date carefully — it is not the date the notice was issued, but the date the suspension takes effect. If the notice is unclear or you cannot locate it, contact Transport NSW on 13 22 13 (within NSW) or check your online account.

If you were stopped by police and given a roadside suspension notice, the suspension date is on that notice. Keep this document — you will need it if you are pulled over during the suspension period, as it proves you were aware of the suspension date. If you lost the roadside notice, your online Transport NSW account will show the same information.

What happens if you drive during the suspension period

Driving while your license is suspended is a separate offense from the offense that caused the suspension. In NSW, driving while suspended carries a maximum penalty of $3,300 and six months imprisonment for a first offense, or $6,600 and 12 months imprisonment for a second or subsequent offense within five years. Your vehicle can also be impounded.

The offense applies even if you drove for only a short distance, did not cause an accident, or were unaware the suspension had started. The law assumes you knew the suspension date because it was on your notice. If you did not receive the notice, you are still legally suspended — the burden is on you to check your online account or contact Transport NSW if you are unsure.

If you are caught driving during suspension, you will face court proceedings. A conviction will add demerit points to your record (if you eventually get your license back), extend your suspension period, or result in a longer disqualification. You may also be required to complete a driver education course before you can reapply for your license.

Suspensions that start on a specific date versus calendar day

Transport NSW typically specifies the suspension start date as a calendar date (for example, "15 March 2024"), not as "when ready" or "from today". This means the suspension begins at the start of that calendar day, even if the notice was issued late in the previous day. If your suspension starts on 15 March, you cannot legally drive from 12:01 am on 15 March.

For roadside suspensions issued by police, the start date may be the same day or the next day, depending on the time of day and the offense. A breath test refusal at 11 pm might have a suspension start date of the next day to give you time to arrange transport home. Always check the exact date on your notice rather than assuming it starts "tomorrow" or "when ready".

If the suspension start date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the suspension still takes effect on that date. Transport NSW does not delay suspensions for weekends or holidays. If your suspension is due to start on a Saturday, you cannot drive on that Saturday, Sunday, or any other day until the suspension period ends.

Reviewing or challenging your suspension start date

You cannot change the suspension start date itself, but you may be able to challenge the suspension decision or request a review. If you believe the suspension was issued in error — for example, if demerit points were incorrectly recorded or if you were not the driver — you can lodge a review request with Transport NSW within 28 days of receiving the notice.

A review does not stop the suspension from starting on the date specified in the notice. If you want to drive while your review is being considered, you must explore for a work license (also called a restricted license) separately. A work license allows you to drive to and from work, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs during the suspension period, but only if you meet strict criteria. You must explore for a work license before the suspension start date.

If your review is successful and the suspension is overturned, Transport NSW will issue a new notice canceling the suspension. However, this does not happen automatically — you must follow up on your review request. If you do not hear back within the timeframe given in the review letter, contact Transport NSW to check the status.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I don't receive my suspension notice in the mail, does the suspension still start on the date written in it?

Yes. The suspension takes effect on the date Transport NSW issued it, regardless of whether you received the notice. You are responsible for checking your online Transport NSW account regularly. If you are unsure whether you are suspended, log in to your account or call 13 22 13 before driving.

Can I drive on the day before my suspension starts?

Yes, you can drive on any day before the suspension start date. Once that date arrives, you cannot drive. If your suspension starts on 15 March, you can drive on 14 March but not on 15 March or any day after, unless the suspension period has ended.

What if I was given a roadside suspension notice but the date on it is unclear or smudged?

Contact Transport NSW on 13 22 13 with your license number and the date of the incident. They will confirm your suspension start date. Do not assume the suspension has not started — if you are unsure, check before driving. Driving while suspended is a separate offense even if you were confused about the date.

Does a work license delay my suspension start date?

No. Your suspension still starts on the date in your notice. A work license does not change the suspension start date; it only allows you to drive for specific purposes (work, medical, court-ordered programs) during the suspension period. You must explore for a work license before the suspension starts.

If my suspension starts on a public holiday, can I drive that day?

No. The suspension takes effect on the calendar date specified in your notice, regardless of whether it is a weekend, public holiday, or any other day. You cannot drive on the suspension start date or any day during the suspension period.