Cambodia’s traffic police will begin revoking over 1,000 driver’s licenses that have reached zero demerit points next week, out of the more than 70,000 licenses that had points deducted. Drivers with licenses nearing zero points are encouraged to retake exams to restore their point balance.

According to a December 23 notification from National Police Chief General Sar Thet, traffic police in Phnom Penh and the provinces will begin to enforce the revocation of all types of driver’s licenses with zero points from January 1.

The measure aims to strengthen law enforcement under the Road Traffic Law, reduce road traffic accidents and ensure increased transparency when penalising violations.

The notification further urged drivers with licenses nearing zero points to apply for supplemental training and exams at Ministry of Public Works and Transport service centres and restore their points.

The National Police also called on the public to comply with this measure to promote road safety, reduce accidents and improve overall traffic order.

Transport ministry spokesperson Phorn Rim stated that from September 1, 2022, to November 30, 2024, a total of 74,504 licenses had points deducted. Among them, 1,232 licenses had zero points remaining.

“Since September 1, 2022, when the demerit system was implemented, no requests for supplemental training or exams to restore points have been received,” he noted.

The point system was introduced as part of measures to reduce road traffic accidents. Each license carries a total of 12 points, with one to six points deducted for various traffic violations, depending on severity. However, no more than eight points can be deducted in one instance. Drivers with zero points lose their licenses and must wait six months before retaking the exam to regain a license.

Drivers can attend two day theoretical training session at the transport ministry to restore up to four points, but only one session is allowed every six months. If a driver retains one or two points without committing further violations within three years, the license will be restored to its full 12 points.

Deputy National Police Chief General Chev Hak, who oversees traffic and public order, and transport ministry secretary of state Min Manavy, who serves as secretary-general of the National Road Traffic Safety Committee, were unavailable for comment on December 24.

In the first half of 2024, traffic authorities inspected 84,292 vehicles and fined 64,296, representing 79 per cent of inspections. Motorcycles accounted for 48,703 violations, or 76 per cent of total cases.

During this period, authorities deducted a total of 31,741 points from the licenses of 69,480 vehicles, including 2,057 points from motorcycles over 125cc, 28,956 points from personal cars and light vehicles, and 754 points from heavy vehicles. No license is required to operate a 125cc motorcycle.