The NSW Opposition's deputy leader and a former roads and police minister has had his driver's licence suspended after he was caught driving at nearly double the posted speed limit.

Mr Daley, a former aspirant to the party leadership, had his embarrassment compounded on Tuesday when he was forced to retract a claim that he had maintained a spotless driving record for nearly 35 years.

Michael Daley was driving at 78km/h on the Eastern Distributor after 11pm on August 8 but said he did not notice signs showing a variable speed of 40km/h was in force because of roadworks. Credit:Cole Bennetts

"I should have obtained my driving record before I spoke to media outlets today," he said. "Unfortunately I did not".

The Maroubra MP was driving at 78km/h on the Eastern Distributor after 11pm on August 8 but said he did not notice signs showing a variable speed of 40km/h was in force because of roadworks. Exceeding the speed limit by that amount carries an automatic, three-month licence suspension.