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Weird driving rules Aussies don’t know are illegal

Turns out, the real hazard on Aussie roads isn’t bad drivers — it’s the bizarre set of rules no one realises are actually illegal.

Carly Wright
October 7, 2025 - 11:44AM
news.com.au
Think you know what’s legal on Aussie roads? Think again. From leaving your car unlocked to splashing a bus passenger, these are the bizarre, head-scratching rules that most of us had no idea were actually illegal. Picture: iStock
1/30Think you know what’s legal on Aussie roads? Think again. From leaving your car unlocked to splashing a bus passenger, these are the bizarre, head-scratching rules that most of us had no idea were actually illegal. Picture: iStock
Flashing your headlights to warn other drivers about speed cameras or cops lurking on the highway is a classic Aussie ritual - a quick head nod from one driver to another. Problem is, technically it’s illegal. In NSW, QLD, SA and Victoria, you’ll get slapped with a $114 fine plus demerits. Picture: iStock
2/30Flashing your headlights to warn other drivers about speed cameras or cops lurking on the highway is a classic Aussie ritual - a quick head nod from one driver to another. Problem is, technically it’s illegal. In NSW, QLD, SA and Victoria, you’ll get slapped with a $114 fine plus demerits. Picture: iStock
You call that off-roading? Sure mate - but either way, NSW rules want your number plate clean and readable from 20m away. Otherwise, it’ll cost you $233 and three demerits. In Queensland and Victoria, dirty or obscured plates can cost $150-$250. Easy to wipe off a bit of mud, harder to contest the ticket. Picture: iStock
3/30You call that off-roading? Sure mate - but either way, NSW rules want your number plate clean and readable from 20m away. Otherwise, it’ll cost you $233 and three demerits. In Queensland and Victoria, dirty or obscured plates can cost $150-$250. Easy to wipe off a bit of mud, harder to contest the ticket. Picture: iStock
Walking away from your car unlocked will see you slapped with a $2,200 fine in NSW if you’re more than three metres from it. Windows up too! Otherwise, an airport drop-off or a quick stop for a Heatherbrae’s meat pie could turn into a pricey lesson. QLD recommends locking vehicles too, though it’s not legislated as strictly. Picture: iStock
4/30Walking away from your car unlocked will see you slapped with a $2,200 fine in NSW if you’re more than three metres from it. Windows up too! Otherwise, an airport drop-off or a quick stop for a Heatherbrae’s meat pie could turn into a pricey lesson. QLD recommends locking vehicles too, though it’s not legislated as strictly. Picture: iStock
Jesus, take the wheel… literally, because you need at least one hand on it at all times. The fine is $233 plus three demerits in NSW for multi-tasking like eating a burger or doing a makeup touch-up. QLD law is similar, and in Victoria, not keeping proper control could set you back $500. Picture: iStock
5/30Jesus, take the wheel… literally, because you need at least one hand on it at all times. The fine is $233 plus three demerits in NSW for multi-tasking like eating a burger or doing a makeup touch-up. QLD law is similar, and in Victoria, not keeping proper control could set you back $500. Picture: iStock
Looks chill, but it’s gross and dangerous. Feet on the dash can affect driver control or turn airbags into leg-breakers. While not specifically listed, police can fine you for unsafe seating up to $344 plus demerits in NSW. Similar rules exist in VIC and WA for passengers affecting driver control. Picture: Reddit
6/30Looks chill, but it’s gross and dangerous. Feet on the dash can affect driver control or turn airbags into leg-breakers. While not specifically listed, police can fine you for unsafe seating up to $344 plus demerits in NSW. Similar rules exist in VIC and WA for passengers affecting driver control. Picture: Reddit
Passenger princess duties include holding snacks, curating playlists, and quoting Twilight until your driver reconsiders the road trip. But any digital screen in the driver’s line of sight that isn’t for navigation or vehicle monitoring can get the driver fined $352 and two demerits in NSW. In Queensland and Victoria, similar fines apply for “driver distraction” offences. Sorry Bella. Picture: Facebook
7/30Passenger princess duties include holding snacks, curating playlists, and quoting Twilight until your driver reconsiders the road trip. But any digital screen in the driver’s line of sight that isn’t for navigation or vehicle monitoring can get the driver fined $352 and two demerits in NSW. In Queensland and Victoria, similar fines apply for “driver distraction” offences. Sorry Bella. Picture: Facebook
Where’s your turn signal, loca? Indicator timing matters. NSW law says blinkers must give fair warning before pulling out, turning, merging, or changing lanes. Fine = $114 plus demerits. Victoria and SA also enforce mandatory signalling, while in WA, failing to indicate can cost up to $200. Picture: Reddit
8/30Where’s your turn signal, loca? Indicator timing matters. NSW law says blinkers must give fair warning before pulling out, turning, merging, or changing lanes. Fine = $114 plus demerits. Victoria and SA also enforce mandatory signalling, while in WA, failing to indicate can cost up to $200. Picture: Reddit
Your pup riding shotgun on your lap is cute, illegal, and dangerous. Pets need their own seat - and a seatbelt. NSW fine = $233 plus three demerits. SA and VIC enforce similar rules, with fines ranging $200-$300. Picture: iStock
9/30Your pup riding shotgun on your lap is cute, illegal, and dangerous. Pets need their own seat - and a seatbelt. NSW fine = $233 plus three demerits. SA and VIC enforce similar rules, with fines ranging $200-$300. Picture: iStock
Honk to say hi? Nope. Your horn is only for warning people or animals of a hazard. Fine = $114 plus demerits in NSW. VIC and QLD also prohibit unnecessary horn use - yes, even to tell your mate you’ve arrived. Picture: iStock
10/30Honk to say hi? Nope. Your horn is only for warning people or animals of a hazard. Fine = $114 plus demerits in NSW. VIC and QLD also prohibit unnecessary horn use - yes, even to tell your mate you’ve arrived. Picture: iStock
Blasting Miley’s “The Climb”is a vibe, but headphones that impede hearing can get you fined $233 plus demerits. VIC and QLD also ban driving while wearing headphones in both ears if it affects your hearing of traffic. Picture: iStock
11/30Blasting Miley’s “The Climb”is a vibe, but headphones that impede hearing can get you fined $233 plus demerits. VIC and QLD also ban driving while wearing headphones in both ears if it affects your hearing of traffic. Picture: iStock
Splashing bus passengers is really just not cool - and illegal. NSW fines drivers up to $2,200 for not taking care to avoid splashing public transport users. QLD and VIC can also issue fines for careless driving that causes public nuisance. Picture: iStock
12/30Splashing bus passengers is really just not cool - and illegal. NSW fines drivers up to $2,200 for not taking care to avoid splashing public transport users. QLD and VIC can also issue fines for careless driving that causes public nuisance. Picture: iStock
And on that note, whenever you’re near a bus stop in NSW don’t just roll past - slow down and give way to passengers hopping on or off. Ignore it, and the $337 fine will remind you it’s more than just polite, it’s the law. Picture: iStock
13/30And on that note, whenever you’re near a bus stop in NSW don’t just roll past - slow down and give way to passengers hopping on or off. Ignore it, and the $337 fine will remind you it’s more than just polite, it’s the law. Picture: iStock
U-turns at traffic lights without a ‘U-turn permitted’ sign or over unbroken lines? Don’t even think about it. Fine = $330 plus demerits in NSW. In VIC, illegal U-turns carry fines around $207, and in QLD, $200. Picture: iStock
14/30U-turns at traffic lights without a ‘U-turn permitted’ sign or over unbroken lines? Don’t even think about it. Fine = $330 plus demerits in NSW. In VIC, illegal U-turns carry fines around $207, and in QLD, $200. Picture: iStock
When parking near corners or intersections, you must keep 10m clear, 20m if there’s traffic lights or a rail crossing. Otherwise, enjoy that $114 fine in NSW. Other states vary: QLD and VIC have similar restrictions, SA allows 10m in most cases. Picture: Google Maps
15/30When parking near corners or intersections, you must keep 10m clear, 20m if there’s traffic lights or a rail crossing. Otherwise, enjoy that $114 fine in NSW. Other states vary: QLD and VIC have similar restrictions, SA allows 10m in most cases. Picture: Google Maps
Waiting at a rail crossing or ferry? Stay in line - don’t break out to get ahead. Fine: $114 plus demerits in NSW. VIC and QLD also penalise this behaviour to keep traffic orderly. Cutting in front is only for theme parks. Picture: Reddit
16/30Waiting at a rail crossing or ferry? Stay in line - don’t break out to get ahead. Fine: $114 plus demerits in NSW. VIC and QLD also penalise this behaviour to keep traffic orderly. Cutting in front is only for theme parks. Picture: Reddit
Fog lights aren’t fashion accessories. Only use them in seriously low visibility like fog, heavy rain, dust, or smoke. Fine: $114 plus demerits in NSW. VIC, QLD, and SA have similar rules - using them on sunny days will get you noticed by police. Picture: iStock
17/30Fog lights aren’t fashion accessories. Only use them in seriously low visibility like fog, heavy rain, dust, or smoke. Fine: $114 plus demerits in NSW. VIC, QLD, and SA have similar rules - using them on sunny days will get you noticed by police. Picture: iStock
This ain’t Mario Kart, folks - Aussie roads aren’t for tossing your leftovers and fines run $150-$500 across all states for throwing fruit scraps or any litter out your car window. Save it for rainbow road. Picture: iStock
18/30This ain’t Mario Kart, folks - Aussie roads aren’t for tossing your leftovers and fines run $150-$500 across all states for throwing fruit scraps or any litter out your car window. Save it for rainbow road. Picture: iStock
Because the Sunshine State loves a quirky one: you must give way to “restive” horses in QLD. If a horse can’t stay still and a rider signals, pull over until it calms down. Fine = $100 plus demerits. Picture: Reddit
19/30Because the Sunshine State loves a quirky one: you must give way to “restive” horses in QLD. If a horse can’t stay still and a rider signals, pull over until it calms down. Fine = $100 plus demerits. Picture: Reddit
Tasmania also has its own quirk: zip merging. When lanes reduce, drivers must take turns merging in a controlled way. Ignore it, and you could cop a fine plus demerits. Picture: YouTube
20/30Tasmania also has its own quirk: zip merging. When lanes reduce, drivers must take turns merging in a controlled way. Ignore it, and you could cop a fine plus demerits. Picture: YouTube
Think you’ve got the basics covered? Maybe. But even the obvious stuff can catch you out. Here’s a few ‘duh, but still fineable’ rules to keep in mind. Picture: iStock
21/30Think you’ve got the basics covered? Maybe. But even the obvious stuff can catch you out. Here’s a few ‘duh, but still fineable’ rules to keep in mind. Picture: iStock
Spot an ambulance, fire truck, or cop with lights and sirens? Move over or slow down, mates. Across all states, ignoring them can cost $457-$1,000+ depending where you are. Picture: iStock
22/30Spot an ambulance, fire truck, or cop with lights and sirens? Move over or slow down, mates. Across all states, ignoring them can cost $457-$1,000+ depending where you are. Picture: iStock
Still scrolling your phone while driving? Even a quick glance can land you in hot water. Fines up to $496 plus 5 demerit points across most states.
23/30Still scrolling your phone while driving? Even a quick glance can land you in hot water. Fines up to $496 plus 5 demerit points across most states.
Keep left unless overtaking - hogging the right lane on multi-lane highways is illegal and you’re annoying everyone behind you who knows how to do the speed limit. NSW, VIC, QLD & WA fines = $330 plus demerits. Picture: iStock
24/30Keep left unless overtaking - hogging the right lane on multi-lane highways is illegal and you’re annoying everyone behind you who knows how to do the speed limit. NSW, VIC, QLD & WA fines = $330 plus demerits. Picture: iStock
Driving with windows so dark even the sun struggles to see in? Tint limits exist. VIC, NSW, QLD fines = $300-$500 if your windows don’t comply. Picture: iStock
25/30Driving with windows so dark even the sun struggles to see in? Tint limits exist. VIC, NSW, QLD fines = $300-$500 if your windows don’t comply. Picture: iStock
Got a roar on your exhaust that makes the neighbourhood jump? Too loud = illegal. Fines from $300-$1,000. We don’t need to hear how “fully sick” your car is, bro. Picture: iStock
26/30Got a roar on your exhaust that makes the neighbourhood jump? Too loud = illegal. Fines from $300-$1,000. We don’t need to hear how “fully sick” your car is, bro. Picture: iStock
Speeding or ignoring crossing supervisors in school zones is a big no-no and just rude - look at that face. Fines can run $500-$1,000+. Picture: Reddit
27/30Speeding or ignoring crossing supervisors in school zones is a big no-no and just rude - look at that face. Fines can run $500-$1,000+. Picture: Reddit
Using a bike lane as your personal parking spot? Not on. VIC, NSW, QLD fines =$165-$330. Picture: Facebook
28/30Using a bike lane as your personal parking spot? Not on. VIC, NSW, QLD fines =$165-$330. Picture: Facebook
Passengers leaning out of doors or windows in a dangerous way is also illegal. Best to keep all limbs inside the car.
29/30Passengers leaning out of doors or windows in a dangerous way is also illegal. Best to keep all limbs inside the car.
So next time you hit the open road, remember: it’s not just speed limits and seatbelts you need to watch. Aussie roads are full of surprising rules that could ruin your road trip vibe. Keep your wits (and your fines) in check. Picture: iStock
30/30So next time you hit the open road, remember: it’s not just speed limits and seatbelts you need to watch. Aussie roads are full of surprising rules that could ruin your road trip vibe. Keep your wits (and your fines) in check. Picture: iStock
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