Rules of the Road: What you may or may not know about driving

Most people, when learning to drive in Australia, familiarise themselves with the major rules of the road, including not drinking and driving, giving way to the right at roundabouts, and obeying speed limits.

Indeed, most of this is common sense, and the general road rules are consistent across the six states and two territories. However, there are some rather obscure rules that might catch you out if you ever find yourself travelling on their roads.

So, to give you the heads up, we’ve put together this list of six road rules you may or may not be aware of. It's worth bearing them in mind to avoid the nasty surprise of receiving a fine and/or some demerit points.

Obscure Road Rules

These road rules are absolutely genuine, and for a full list of them, you should check out the regulations issued by each state government.

Additionally, if you are a P-plater in New South Wales, EZLicence has put together this guide which you might also find useful. 

Nonetheless, here they are:

1. It is illegal to drive too slowly

You are no doubt aware that road signs are there to tell you how to drive safely on any given road. However, did you know it is actually illegal to drive ‘too slow’ anywhere in Australia?

What this actually entails can be a grey area. However, your likelihood of being pulled over by the police essentially boils down to how your slow driving is affecting others.

As a general rule of thumb, if you are 'unreasonably obstructing drivers or pedestrians’, then you could find yourself in trouble.

2. Don’t drive with a dog on your lap

As much as you might love your four-legged friend, driving with them on your lap is a no-no in all states of Australia.

While it is unlikely you’ll be doing this with a Great Dane or German Shepherd, don’t be tempted to let your Shih Tzu or Pomeranian share your driver’s seat.

Not only is it illegal all over the country, but it is also dangerous to yourself, other drivers, and the dog, which can all be seriously harmed in the event of a crash.

3. Keep all body parts in the vehicle

Have you ever waved hello or goodbye to a friend out the window whilst driving? Or perhaps you’ve stuck your head out to get a better look at something?

Either way, both are illegal acts on Australian roads.

Infact, it is against the law for any part of your body to be outside of the vehicle at any time whilst the car is in motion. So, make sure you keep everything inside it.

4. Don’t honk your horn

If you have ever honked your horn in frustration at another driver who has cut you off or done so to gain the attention of someone you know walking down the street, then guess what? You have committed an illegal act.

Your car horn is there for specific purposes only. Namely, warning animals off the road to make other drivers aware that your vehicle is approaching or as part of an alcohol interlock or anti-theft device.

If you use your horn in any other circumstances, you could be deemed to be breaking the law.

5. Tailgating is a No-No

There is nothing worse than driving carefully to the speed limit only to look in your mirror to find someone is just a foot or two from your bumper.

While tailgating is illegal across Australia, the degree to which something is considered tailgating does vary.

For instance, in Victoria and Queensland, you need to keep a minimum of a two-second gap between you and the car in front. By contrast, it needs to be three seconds in New South Wales.

This might not always be possible if there is very heavy traffic. But at all times, whatever the levels of traffic, you should always make sure you are driving a comfortable breaking distance apart from the car ahead of you.

6. Don’t leave your car door unlocked

Due to the risk of theft, most of us lock our cars whenever we leave them. However, if you quickly nip out of it to post a letter or pay for petrol after filling up and you forget to do so, then you could find yourself in a spot of bother.

In the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria, you could receive a fine for not securing your vehicle properly. That said, typically, the likelihood will depend on how far you move away from it.

Overall, in NSW, for instance, you get a three-metre grace. Any more than that and you could find yourself facing a violation.

As well as not being allowed to leave your car unlocked, you could be pulled up for leaving your windows down, even as much as 2 cm!  That is the most amount of gap you can leave whilst parked in the ACT, South Australia and Northern Territory, while in Victoria and Queensland, you can do this for a maximum of 5 cm before receiving a penalty charge.