Ask to have your fine written-off

What is a write-off?

If you can’t pay a fine and this is unlikely to change, you can ask Revenue NSW to write off your fine.

If Revenue NSW agrees, you won’t have to pay the fine. However, any demerit points will still be added to your driving record.

Who can apply

You may be eligible if you:

• are experiencing serious financial hardship and can’t pay your fine
• have a medical condition or are experiencing a situation, such as family violence, that is stopping you from paying your fine
• are can’t pay your fine with a payment plan or Work and Development Order (WDO).

How to apply

You need to complete a Write Off Application online.

You need to provide:

• your full name, date of birth, address and licence number (if you have one)
• your overdue fine reference number(s)
• your Centrelink Reference Number (if applicable).

You must explain your personal circumstances and what hardship you are in. This should cover:

• why you can’t pay your fine(s) now and why your situation is unlikely to improve in the next five years
• you don’t own any valuable assets that can be taken and sold by the Sheriff
• you don’t have money that Revenue NSW can garnish (take) from your income or bank account
• you don’t own any property Revenue NSW can claim an interest on, and
• why a Work and Development Order (WDO) is not suitable.

Supporting evidence

You must provide evidence to support your application, including:

• copies of your payslips, Centrelink income statements or other evidence of your income
• copies of your bank account, credit union or building society statements for the last three months
• evidence of your expenses
• medical reports from your doctor or psychologist explaining your medical condition
• report from your case worker, social worker or other professional about domestic problems
• police reports or court documents.

If you have other unpaid fines that are not overdue at the time that you make a write-off application for an overdue fine, Revenue NSW may also consider writing off the other fines.

What happens next?

Revenue NSW must give you their decision in writing.

If Revenue NSW approves your application, they will first postpone your fines for five years. After five years, if your circumstances have not improved, Revenue NSW may agree to write-off your fines completely. 

When a fine is written off, Revenue NSW views the written off amount as paid.

If the offence comes with demerit points, they will be added to your traffic record. Demerit points stay active for three years, starting from the date of the offence. If you reach your demerit points limit, your licence will be suspended. For more information, see Demerit point suspension.

Revenue NSW may resume enforcement action if:

• you don’t follow the condition(s) of your write off
• Revenue NSW is satisfied that your circumstances have changed, and you now have enough money to pay
• Revenue NSW receives a new overdue fine.

If your application for a write off is unsuccessful, you can still apply for a WDO if you are eligible. You will be given another 28 days to deal with the fine.

If Revenue NSW rejects your application, you can appeal to the Hardship Review Board.

For more information, see Step by step guide - Applying for a review at the Hardship Review Board.

Last updated: June 2026