Baird performed an illegal U-turn while pulling on his seatbelt in South Curl Curl

He was was stop by young a Highway Patrol officer but let off with just a warning

Baird later called a senior Manly officer and dobbed himself in.

Police assesed in-car video and fined the Premier $311 and three demerit points

PREMIER Mike Baird was let off by a young Highway ­Patrol officer for performing an illegal U-turn while not wearing a seatbelt — but later dobbed himself in and asked to be fined.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Premier was given a $311 fine and lost three ­demerit points for the illegal manoeuvre at South Curl Curl on June 8 after reporting himself to a senior police officer.

“I was pulled over for a traffic offence on the June long weekend,” Mr Baird said yesterday.

“The officer issued me with a warning but I subsequently contacted the police and asked them to issue me with a fine to ensure there could be absolutely no suggestion of special treatment.”

But he escaped with a warning for driving while not wearing a seatbelt, an offence that would have cost him ­another $311 fine and an ­additional six demerit points because the offence occurred during the June long weekend double demerit period.

“I was fined $311 and lost points. I have since paid the fine,” Mr Baird said.

The Premier had been for a coffee with wife Kerryn at the South Curl Curl Surf Club cafe on the Northern Beaches on the Monday of the June long weekend.

He was spotted by a Highway Patrol officer pulling on his seatbelt in his grey Toyota Kluger and performing an ­illegal U-turn across the double white lines on the narrow seafront road outside the club.

The officer pulled him over and had a chat with him ­before letting the Premier off with a warning.

But once he got home Mr Baird had second thoughts about what had happened and called his police local area commander.

It took police several days to track down the Highway Patrol officer involved to get to the bottom of the incident.

Police officers then ­reviewed the Highway Patrol officer’s in-car video and saw footage of the Premier’s SUV crossing the white line.

media_camera Premier Mike Baird dobbed himself in for performing an illegal u-turn outside the South Curl Cur Surf life Saving Club. Picture: Google

However, there was insufficient evidence to prove that the Premier had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time.

The Premier was issued with a fine and lost three ­demerit points — double ­demerits only apply to speeding and seatbelt offences.

A NSW Police spokesman said the Highway Patrol officer had been entitled not to issue the Premier with a ticket.

“All officers have the legal authority to use discretion in the performance of their duty,” he said. “They are required to act in good faith at all times but every officer is taught the use of discretion is a very important tool in their kitbag.

“Discretion must be used reasonably and appropriately and that will depend on the circumstances.”