It has been dubbed the "oldest trick in the book" and a quick way to make easy cash off an administrative loophole.
While some provisional drivers see it as a lifeline to save their licence from suspension, others are cashing in by exploiting an overwhelmed ACT traffic infringement system.
In Canberra, driver demerit points are for sale on an illicit market, fetching up to $500 per point. While neighbouring Sydney features dedicated social media pages openly advertising "demerit points for sale," transactions in the national capital are often kept more discreet through private chat groups and word of mouth.
In April 2024, a Belconnen resident* received a traffic infringement after a camera caught him driving with a mobile phone on his lap.
"Being a P-plater, I had already taken responsibility for a fellow P-plater friend's mobile phone infringement notice and lost three demerit points," said the 26-year-old, who asked not to be identified.
He had reached three demerit points on his ACT Provisional 2 stage licence which carries a strict maximum threshold of four, and was facing a mandatory three-month suspension.
"I couldn't afford to lose my licence because I had got a job. That's when the friend I helped suggested finding someone willing to take on my infringement for a fee," he said.
The Belconnen man negotiated a $1200 deal for the three demerit points, saving his licence.
Sellers regularly exploit Access Canberra's online portal - specifically the "Transfer responsibility to yourself" or the "Declare a specific person was responsible" function to execute the dodgy deals.
"It makes it easy because the system doesn't require either driver to appear in person," said a 34-year-old Wanniassa resident, who paid a university student $500 for a point transfer in May.
"If both parties hold ACT licences, it's all done online and the transfer goes through within weeks."
Before the ACT Government annulled full drivers' licences for overseas holders from non-recognised countries in July last year, many international students successfully passed the "one attempt only" practical driving test. This granted them a full ACT licence with a 12-point threshold.
"I have a full licence, but I don't own a car," said a 22-year-old student living in Bruce.
"My classmate introduced me to an acquaintance from Gungahlin who desperately needed to clear a seatbelt fine that carried three demerit points. I agreed to accept responsibility online after he transferred $1500 plus the $574 fine."
"It's easy money with little effort. Some students advertise demerit transfers online after graduating, right before they leave the country."
According to an ACT Government spokesperson, Access Canberra received 23,792 declarations stating the owner was "not driving the vehicle at the time of the offence" in the first six months of 2026. That follows 42,308 declarations filed in 2025 and 40,677 in 2024.
"There are occasions where matters involving suspicious, potentially false or misleading declarations have been reported to the AFP for further investigation and enforcement action," the spokesperson said.
However, Access Canberra does not track the number of police referrals or monitor subsequent law enforcement outcomes.
Access Canberra's Infringement Review Office lacks the capacity to audit every declaration, relying instead on random spot-checks to detect repeat claims by individual licence holders.
Making a false declaration on a traffic infringement is a serious offence under the ACT's Road Transport (General) Act 1999, carrying maximum penalties of $55,000 for individuals and $275,000 for corporations.
Despite the steep penalties, it remains unclear whether anyone has ever been prosecuted for abusing the transfer system.
*Names withheld following privacy requests.
