89Suspension or cancellation of driver licence or learner permit and driver disqualification—certain motor vehicle offences

89 Suspension or cancellation of driver licence or learner permit and driver disqualification—certain motor vehicle offences (1) If a person is found guilty or convicted of a serious motor vehicle offence, the court must— (a) if the person is the holder of a driver licence or learner permit, cancel that licence or permit and disqualify him or her from obtaining a further one for the period of time that the court specifies; or (b) if the person is not the holder of a driver licence or learner permit but is the holder of an equivalent licence or permit issued in another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth or another country, disqualify him or her from driving a motor vehicle on a road in Victoria for the period for which he or she would have been disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit, had he or she held one; or (c) in any other case where the person is not the holder of a driver licence or learner permit, disqualify him or her from obtaining one for the period of time that the court specifies. (2) The court must not specify a period of disqualification under subsection (1) that is— (a) for an offence to which paragraph (d) of the definition of ***serious motor vehicle offence*** in section 87P applies, less than 18 months; or S. 89(2)(b) substituted by No. 6/2020 s. 11(1). (b) for an offence to which paragraph (a), (b), (ba), (c), (e) or (f)(vii) of the definition of ***serious motor vehicle offence*** in section 87P applies, less than 24 months; or S. 89(2)(c) inserted by No. 6/2020 s. 11(1). (c) for an offence to which paragraph (f)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) of the definition of ***serious motor vehicle offence*** in section 87P applies, less than 12 months. (3) If a person is found guilty or convicted of an offence under section 319AA of the **Crimes Act 1958**, the court must— (a) if the person is the holder of a driver licence or learner permit, cancel that licence or permit and disqualify him or her from obtaining a further one for the period of time that the court specifies, being not less than 12 months; or (b) if the person is not the holder of a driver licence or learner permit but is the holder of an equivalent licence or permit issued in another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth or another country, disqualify him or her from driving a motor vehicle on a road in Victoria for the period for which he or she would have been disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit, had he or she held one; or (c) in any other case where the person is not the holder of a driver licence or learner permit, disqualify him or her from obtaining one for the period of time that the court specifies, being not less than 12 months. (4) If a person is found guilty or convicted of stealing or attempting to steal a motor vehicle, the court may (in the case of a finding of guilt) and must (in the case of a conviction)— (a) if the person is the holder of a driver licence or learner permit— (i) suspend that licence or permit for the period of time that the court specifies; or (ii) cancel that licence or permit and disqualify him or her from obtaining a further one for the period of time that the court specifies; or (b) if the person is not the holder of a driver licence or learner permit but is the holder of an equivalent licence or permit issued in another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth or another country, disqualify him or her from driving a motor vehicle on a road in Victoria for the period for which he or she would have been disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit, had he or she held one; or (c) in any other case where the person is not the holder of a driver licence or learner permit, disqualify him or her from obtaining one for the period of time that the court specifies. (5) If a period of suspension or disqualification is not specified by the court on making an order under subsection (4)(a), (b) or (c), the period is 3 months. Note 1 to s. 89 amended by Nos 34/2023 s. 128, 25/2025 s. 105. 1 A person who is disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit under this section must apply to the Magistrates' Court under Part 3 of the **Road Safety Act 1986** for a licence eligibility order if he or she wishes to be granted a driver licence or learner permit under that Act. On the making of a licence eligibility order the Magistrates' Court may give an alcohol interlock condition direction under Part 5 of the **Road Safety Act 1986** if a finding was made under section 89C(1) that the disqualifying offence was committed while the person was under the influence of alcohol, or both alcohol and a drug, which contributed to the offence. A person disqualified under this section who is granted a driver licence or learner permit must have zero concentration of alcohol present in their blood or breath while driving or in charge of a motor vehicle during the first 3 years of that licence or permit or any longer period during which the licence or permit is subject to an alcohol interlock condition. The person must also have zero concentration of alcohol in their blood or breath while driving or in charge of a motor vehicle for the period of 3 years from the day on which an alcohol interlock condition imposed on their licence or permit is removed or, if the person is granted an exemption from the imposition of an alcohol interlock condition, for the period of 3 years from the day on which that exemption is granted. See section 52(1B), (1BBB) and (1BBC) of the **Road Safety Act 1986**. A person who is disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit or whose driver licence or learner permit is cancelled under this section by order of the Magistrates' Court or Children's Court may appeal to the County Court. See section 29 of the **Road Safety Act 1986**. See sections 3AD and 3AE of the **Road Safety Act 1986** for circumstances in which a person is to be taken to be disqualified from obtaining a driver licence or learner permit or from driving a motor vehicle on a road in Victoria. Note 2 to s. 89 amended by Nos 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 37.4), 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 41.4). 2 Particulars of any order made by a court under this section must be sent immediately to the Secretary to the Department of Transport and Planning—see section 87Q. Note 3 to s. 89 inserted by No. 6/2020 s. 11(2). 3 See section 85P of the **Road Safety Act 1986** for the requirement to take into account any period of suspension under Part 6B of that Act when fixing a period of disqualification or suspension. Note 4 to s. 89 inserted by No. 30/2021 s. 95. 4 See section 85ZN of the **Road Safety Act 1986** for the requirement to take into account any period of disqualification under Part 6C of that Act when fixing a period of disqualification. S. 89A substituted by No. 56/2013 s. 32.