Free Ride Ends For Diplomat Drivers In Canberra Due To Hundreds Of Unpaid Fines

For anyone who’s ever driven around Canberra, it’s common knowledge that diplomats have a ‘get out of jail free’ card when it comes to traffic laws.

As an extension of their ‘diplomatic immunity’, minor (and sometimes major) traffic offenses are often overlooked.

Photos captured by traffic cameras are of little use, and parking inspectors usually don’t waste their time writing tickets for cars overstaying the maximum allowable time in a parking space.

Of course traffic departments have the capacity to issue fines - just not the capacity to demand that they be paid by diplomats. And there are virtually no repercussions for repeat offenders.

Drivers in Canberra know to steer clear of cars wearing ‘DC’ or ‘DX’ number plates, as stories of woe have emerged from some of those caught up in a collision with one of these vehicles…

But the free ride looks set to end, with new rules now in effect in the Australian Capital Territory in an attempt to ensure drivers of diplomat’s vehicles adhere to the law like anyone else.

Fairfax reports that the ACT Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (known as ‘Dee-fat’) has reached an agreement whereby a 12-point demerit system will be introduced for DC and DX drivers.

Offenders in these vehicles who accrue demerits beyond the 12-point limit or refuse to pay fines in the ACT may soon have their licences suspended.

Road Safety