15 weird road rules you need to know

Whether you’re new to the road or if you’ve been behind the wheel long enough to have seen it all, you know the basics — stop signs mean stop, keep left unless overtaking, and don't use your phone while driving. But how about these weird and obscure NSW road rules?  

There’s bound to be a few that’ll make you raise an eyebrow. Here are 15 lesser-known ones that might just save you from copping a fine or a few points off your licence. 

1.  Keep a hand on the wheel

Using a stop at the traffic lights to eat your burger or touch up your makeup might get you in more trouble than a smudge of lipstick or BBQ sauce. According to NSW Road Rule 2014:218, you must always have at least one hand on the wheel. Taking both off, even momentarily, can count as not having proper control.  

2. Hands off the horn

Using your horn to say hi to a mate or scare off a bin chicken might seem harmless, but technically, it's off-limits. According to NSW Road Rule 2014:224 , the horn should only be used to warn other people or animals of a hazard — not for venting road rage or playing conductor in traffic. 

3. Lock it or lose it

If you’re more than three metres from your parked car, it should be locked, according to the NSW road rules . Windows up too! Forgetting this can cost you a fine, and if your ride gets nicked, your insurer might give you the cold shoulder to boot. 

4. No flashing

It’s very tempting to let other drivers know if you’ve seen a speed camera or police car hiding on the highway by flashing your headlights , but it’s actually a no-no. This one is not explicit, but is a combination of two rules: don’t dazzle others and don’t hinder a police officer in their duties. 

5. Keep your number plate clean

Your number plate has to be readable from 20 metres away. If your number plate is dirty or caked in mud from your weekend off-road adventure or hidden behind a bike rack, you could get pinged. Wiping it down takes two seconds — much easier than contesting a fine. 

6. Don’t splash mud on bus passengers

We all know to slow down and let a bus back onto the road after letting passengers out, but did you know that it’s also illegal to ensure passengers don’t get splashed by your car as you drive past? True story – and since it’s also just being plain considerate, it shouldn’t be too hard to keep this rule . 

7. No U-turns without a sign

Unless there’s a sign giving you the go-ahead, U-turns at traffic lights with no “U-turn permitted” sign or over unbroken lines (single or double) are a no-go in NSW . It's different to some other states, so don’t assume. When in doubt, go around the block. 

8. Ditch the fog lights

Fog lights might look cool, but they’re not everyday gear. You can only use them if visibility’s seriously low — we’re talking fog, rain, dust, or smoke. Sunny day? Leave them off, or you could cop a fine for dazzling other drivers. Equally, if you are driving in fog without fog lights , you can also cop a fine. 

9. Don’t park near intersections

Think it’s fine to park close to a corner as long as you’re not blocking traffic? Not quite. According to NSW parking rules , unless signs say otherwise, you need to leave at least 10 metres between your car and an intersection without traffic lights. If it has traffic lights? Or near a level rail crossing? Keep 20m away. It’s all about keeping lines of sight clear — especially for pedestrians. 

10. Stay in line 

Waiting to cross a rail crossing or drive onto a ferry? Make sure you stay in line — according to NSW Road Rule 2014:79-2 , all vehicles must keep to the left as far as practical and not “break out of that line to take precedence over any vehicle.” 

11. Feet off the dash

Passengers, this one's for you — relaxing with your feet on the dash is illegal if it affects the driver’s control or the airbag. Plus, with your feet on the dash , you could be seriously injured in the case of a crash. 

12. Animals on your lap? Nope.

Love your pup riding shotgun? That’s fine, but if they’re on your lap or anyone elses, you’re breaking the law. Pets need to be in their own seat, whether you’re in a car or on a motorcycle according to NSW Road Rule 2014:297 . If they’re not, they could be preventing you from having proper control of the vehicle. It’s for their safety, yours and other road users. 

13. Indicator timing matters

Planning to pull out, turn or change lanes? Your blinker needs to be on long enough to give others fair warning – at least five seconds if you’re pulling out onto the road. There’s no exact second count for indicating when you’re going to changing lane, merging, or making a U-turn, but chucking it on at the last moment isn’t enough. Early, clear, and consistent — that’s the ticket. 

14. Screen in sight?

Is your front row passenger streaming their favourite bingeable within your line of sight? That could get you a fine. According to NSW Road Rules, any digital screen must not be visible to the driver unless it is being used for navigation, reversing or other vehicle monitoring purposes. 

15. Wearing headphones?

This one falls under the same rule as having a pet on your lap. If wearing headphones while driving impedes your ability to hear what is happening around you, you could be falling foul of NSW Road Rule 2014:297-1 . Keep your ears clear!  

Got all that? NSW’s road rules might seem a bit quirky, but most of them are about keeping everyone safe and traffic flowing. Learn them, live them, and avoid the nasty surprise of an unexpected fine.