How beeping your horn or playing your music too loud can cost you

They’re simple, seemingly innocent things many of us do, but they could cost you hundreds in fines. Here’s the road rules you’re breaking.

If you’re ever getting down to an awesome tune in your car and start blasting the volume, you might want to check the decibels.

You could get slapped with a fine up to $200 for blaring your music too loud.

And did you know that when you’re heading off and give a harmless toot goodbye you’re actually breaking the law?

It might seem silly but rules are rules, and Teletrac Navman has spelt them out for us to make things easier the next time you hit the road.

Their list covers a range of laws drivers could be breaking without even realising, including sleeping in a stationary car and flashing your lights to warn drivers of upcoming speed cameras.

Even driving UNDER the speed limit is illegal and can cost you four demerit points.

Many people don't know simple road rules.

SLEEPING IN YOUR CAR WHILE DRUNK, EVEN WITH THE IGNITION OFF

While there’s currently no federal law against sleeping in your car, it may mean you have to prove you had no intentions to drive.

In some states, napping in the driver’s seat of a vehicle can be considered reason enough to prosecute, even if the keys aren’t in the ignition.

Play it safe and catch a cab home or risk a hefty fine of up to $1400 and a 10-month suspension.

QLD: $1400, up to 10-month suspension

PLAYING MUSIC THAT’S TOO LOUD

Blasting loud music from your car with the window down can burn a hole in your pocket. While you could be enjoying your car karaoke, a police officer might not take kindly to the noise pollution.

If you ignore a verbal warning or instructions to turn the party down, you can get slapped with a fine of up to $200.

QLD: $175

NSW: $200

BEEPING YOUR HORN FOR THE WRONG REASONS

Car horns are designed for alerting other road users and animals to your presence.

Using it for any other reason, including a goodbye honk, can lead to hefty fines.

NSW: $298

VIC: $282

Honking at a mate can cost you. Picture: Campbell Scott

FLASHING YOUR LIGHTS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OF SPEED CAMERAS

It seems like a helpful way of having your fellow drivers’ back, but can lead to a fine of up to $110 and attract one demerit point in NSW as flashing your lights can be misconstrued as an attempt to dazzle another road user.

While warning others isn’t strictly prohibited, dipping your lights is restricted.

NSW: $110

WA: $100

QLD: $50, 1 demerit point

BEING A MIDDLE LANE HOG

The basic rule of motorway driving is to stick to the left unless you’re overtaking.

Providing you’re travelling at a safe speed, you’re free to change lanes at any time, but hogging the middle lane when it’s clear on the left can carry fines of up to $108 and two demerit points.

NSW: $108, 2 demerit points

QLD: $66, 2 demerit points

BELIEVING THE 10 PER CENT SPEED LIMIT MYTH

While some drivers believe that driving 10 per cent over the speeding limit is acceptable — sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is not the case.

Exceeding speed limits by even a few kilometres carries fines of up to $201 and one demerit point. These laws depend on the discretion of police, but speed cameras won’t be as forgiving.

NSW: $119, 1 demerit point

VIC: $201, 1 demerit point

SA: $174

WA: $100

QLD: $174

DRIVING TOO SLOWLY

While many drivers are aware of the dangers of driving too fast, some don’t see the harm in driving too slowly.

Under Australian road rules, it’s illegal to obstruct the path of another car — this can include driving unreasonably slowly and carries a fine of up to $289.

NSW: $253, 4 demerit points

QLD: Court imposed fine

VIC: $289

NOT ATTACHING YOUR PHONE TO A STAND WHILE USING MAPS

Many drivers use mobile apps like Google Maps to get them where they’re going.

If you get caught handling your mobile, even for GPS use, you can score a fine and a penalty of five demerit points. To prevent this, ensure your phone is fixed to your car with a cradle that doesn’t obscure your view of the road.

NSW: Fine + 5 demerit points

WA: $400

SA: $308

EATING, DRINKING, DOING YOUR MAKEUP AND CHANGING MUSIC

If your hands are busy unwrapping lunch or ensuring your eyeliner is perfect, then your concentration won’t be on the road.

You may be looking away for only a few seconds, but anything can happen in that time. Keep your eyes on the road or you’ll receive a fine of up to $600 plus three demerit points depending on your local state law.

NSW & ACT: $448, 3 demerit points

WA: $600

SA: $184

NT: $500

QLD: Court fine, 3 demerits

TAS: $163

LETTING YOUR PASSENGER HOLD THEIR BABY WHILE YOU’RE DRIVING

Even if your passenger insists, the driver is always responsible for ensuring everyone in the car is safely secured for the journey.

Using a baby seat is a requirement for children under the age of four, with noncompliance leading to a fine of up to $500 and a loss of 3 demerit points.

ALL AUSTRALIA: up to $500 and 3 demerit points

QLD: Double demerits if fined twice

NOT TURNING YOUR LIGHTS ON IN THE DARK

It can be difficult to see in the dark, particularly on rural country roads and motorways with little illumination. Driving at night or in darkness without lights can risk a fine of up to $211.

NSW: $112, 2 demerit points

VIC: $211, 1 demerit point

QLD: $130, 1 demerit point

HAVING DIRT ON YOUR NUMBER PLATE

Mud and grime is inevitable in your daily journey, but if this builds up to the point where your number plates are obscured or unreadable, you can cop a $415 fine and three demerit points. It’s essential that your plates are readable at all times.

NSW: $415, 3 demerit points

QLD: $341

VIC: $161, 3 demerit points

DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE TO SPLASH MUD ON BUS PASSENGERS

Where you can, it’s recommended that you avoid big puddles that may splash mud on pedestrians — specifically those waiting for the bus. It’s no fun getting splashed on the way to work, and a fine and demerit points is no joke either.

ONLY NSW: $177, 3 demerit points

PARKING ON A FOOTPATH

On narrow streets, it can be tempting to park ‘politely’ and tuck your car away on a kerb but mounting the gutter can carry serious penalties in some states. While council officers may use their discretion when ticketing drivers, parking on the footpath or verge carries a fine of up to $126.

NSW: $99

VIC: $85

QLD: $126