A 21-year-old woman has shared her shock after being pulled over for a random breath test and discovering her licence had been suspended for a reason she didn’t even realise could affect driving.
She explained online that she only found out something was wrong when police stopped her. “I just got pulled over by the cops, and they told me to do a breath test,” she posted. “I said, ‘let’s do it’, and they asked to see my licence. I showed it to them, and they told me it was suspended.”
The mother-of-one said she asked why, and police told her it related to an unpaid fine. She then contacted Revenue NSW to find out more. “I called Revenue NSW to ask what the fine was for, and they said it was for failing to vote,” she revealed.
It turned out the fine related to the 2024 NSW Local Government election, which she hadn’t voted in.
She was ultimately given a warning by police, but many commenters were surprised that missing a vote could lead to such serious consequences. “How was she meant to know when it has nothing to do with driving?” one person asked. “That’s unfair.” Another wrote, “Happened to me too,” saying they thought the messages were a “scam”. A third said, “Reading this has actually left me stunned”. Another commenter added, “What do you mean you get fined for not voting, and it can affect your licence? That’s not normal or even remotely okay”.
Others were less sympathetic, arguing it was part of adult responsibility. “Time to learn voting matters,” one person said. “Welcome to being an adult,” chimed in another.
Under the Electoral Act 2017, the Electoral Commissioner must send a penalty notice to people who did not vote. If you receive one, you’re required to either provide a valid reason for not voting or pay a fine of up to $55.
The NSW Electoral Commission warns that if you don’t respond, the matter can be referred to Revenue NSW, potentially adding a $65 fee and further charges for future correspondence. As the Commission explains: “Referral to Revenue NSW may result in a penalty notice enforcement order against you and lead to the cancellation or suspension of your driver’s licence or the cancellation of your car registration.”
