Left the windows down a smidge? That tiny gap could mean a $3,096 fine
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Most drivers like to think they know the road rules—but some regulations barely register until you're suddenly slapped with a fine.
One particular law has been quietly catching out Aussies across the country, despite being on the books for years.
What seems like an everyday habit could actually land you in legal hot water—and you might not even realise it's happening.
Most Aussie drivers have bent the rules at some point—maybe you’ve ducked into a café, left the car running, or just popped into the servo for a minute.
But what many motorists didn’t realise is that this everyday habit has been quietly costing people hundreds, even thousands, in fines across the country.
The offence? Leaving your vehicle unsecured…and no, it’s not just about locking the doors.
CCTV footage from recent incidents revealed just how easily a parked, unlocked car could become a target for thieves. With one video showing an alleged offender attempting to break into a vehicle, it highlighted why these laws were brought in—to reduce the risk of opportunistic crime and protect public safety.
But here’s the kicker: drivers can be fined simply for leaving windows slightly down or forgetting to lock the doors, even if they’re only away for a moment.
Sydney-based lawyer Avinash Singh called it ‘perhaps the most obscure road rule’.
‘Most drivers are completely unaware of it and are usually shocked when the police confront them and explain that they can be fined for leaving their windows and or doors unlocked,’ he said.
It turns out the offence isn’t as niche as some might think. Singh, Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, confirmed that these fines weren’t just theoretical.
‘We have seen instances of police issuing fines for this offence. Reasonable police officers will sometimes issue a warning first, however, we have had people elect to go to court to challenge the fines,’ he explained.
‘The most common argument we see drivers making if they have been fined for leaving their windows or doors unlocked, is that the law is illogical and oppressive.’
While it might seem like bureaucratic overreach, the rule has a serious purpose behind it. Unlocked cars aren’t just at risk of being stolen—they can also end up being used in further crimes or dangerous situations, which authorities are keen to prevent.
There was a small exception tucked into the legislation for those trying to balance security with comfort—like when leaving a pet in the car.
‘The legislation provides a defence if you have a window rolled down less than two centimetres,’ Singh said. ‘If the window is rolled down any more than that, then you will be liable to be fined.’
That slight allowance might come as a relief to pet owners needing to leave their dogs some air—but it’s not a free pass.
Depending on where you were in the country, penalties varied dramatically.
In New South Wales drivers were required to lock their cars and secure the windows if they planned to move more than three metres away. The on-the-spot fine sat at $114, but if the case ended up in court, it could climb to $2,200.
In Queensland, it was illegal to leave a vehicle unlocked when more than three metres from it. Leaving the keys inside could see the fine balloon to $2,669, with the maximum penalty reaching $3,096.
Victoria had similar rules—vehicles had to be locked and windows secured when the driver walked more than three metres away. The fine there was $117, but court penalties hovered around $600.
Tasmania enforced the same three-metre rule, with a fine of nearly $200.
In the Australian Capital Territory, drivers were obliged to lock up and secure their vehicles unless someone 16 or older stayed behind.
Only South Australia took a different approach—drivers there weren’t legally required to lock their doors at all when stepping away from the vehicle.
This quietly enforced rule might be one of the country’s least known, but as fines continue to be issued—and in some cases, challenged in court—it’s becoming harder for drivers to plead ignorance.
Next time you hop out for a quick errand, double-check those locks…because the cost of forgetting might be more than just an inconvenience.
There is another road rule catching Aussie drivers off guard.
Watch the video to save up to $6,000 in fines.
Source: Youtube/Yahoo Australia
Have you ever been fined for something you didn’t even know was against the rules? Let us know your experience in the comments.
One particular law has been quietly catching out Aussies across the country, despite being on the books for years.
What seems like an everyday habit could actually land you in legal hot water—and you might not even realise it's happening.
Most Aussie drivers have bent the rules at some point—maybe you’ve ducked into a café, left the car running, or just popped into the servo for a minute.
But what many motorists didn’t realise is that this everyday habit has been quietly costing people hundreds, even thousands, in fines across the country.
The offence? Leaving your vehicle unsecured…and no, it’s not just about locking the doors.
CCTV footage from recent incidents revealed just how easily a parked, unlocked car could become a target for thieves. With one video showing an alleged offender attempting to break into a vehicle, it highlighted why these laws were brought in—to reduce the risk of opportunistic crime and protect public safety.
But here’s the kicker: drivers can be fined simply for leaving windows slightly down or forgetting to lock the doors, even if they’re only away for a moment.
Sydney-based lawyer Avinash Singh called it ‘perhaps the most obscure road rule’.
‘Most drivers are completely unaware of it and are usually shocked when the police confront them and explain that they can be fined for leaving their windows and or doors unlocked,’ he said.
It turns out the offence isn’t as niche as some might think. Singh, Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, confirmed that these fines weren’t just theoretical.
‘We have seen instances of police issuing fines for this offence. Reasonable police officers will sometimes issue a warning first, however, we have had people elect to go to court to challenge the fines,’ he explained.
‘The most common argument we see drivers making if they have been fined for leaving their windows or doors unlocked, is that the law is illogical and oppressive.’
While it might seem like bureaucratic overreach, the rule has a serious purpose behind it. Unlocked cars aren’t just at risk of being stolen—they can also end up being used in further crimes or dangerous situations, which authorities are keen to prevent.
There was a small exception tucked into the legislation for those trying to balance security with comfort—like when leaving a pet in the car.
‘The legislation provides a defence if you have a window rolled down less than two centimetres,’ Singh said. ‘If the window is rolled down any more than that, then you will be liable to be fined.’
That slight allowance might come as a relief to pet owners needing to leave their dogs some air—but it’s not a free pass.
Depending on where you were in the country, penalties varied dramatically.
In New South Wales drivers were required to lock their cars and secure the windows if they planned to move more than three metres away. The on-the-spot fine sat at $114, but if the case ended up in court, it could climb to $2,200.
In Queensland, it was illegal to leave a vehicle unlocked when more than three metres from it. Leaving the keys inside could see the fine balloon to $2,669, with the maximum penalty reaching $3,096.
Victoria had similar rules—vehicles had to be locked and windows secured when the driver walked more than three metres away. The fine there was $117, but court penalties hovered around $600.
Western Australia’s laws specified that a car must be locked unless someone aged 16 or over remained inside. Their maximum penalty? Just $50.Tasmania enforced the same three-metre rule, with a fine of nearly $200.
In the Australian Capital Territory, drivers were obliged to lock up and secure their vehicles unless someone 16 or older stayed behind.
Only South Australia took a different approach—drivers there weren’t legally required to lock their doors at all when stepping away from the vehicle.
This quietly enforced rule might be one of the country’s least known, but as fines continue to be issued—and in some cases, challenged in court—it’s becoming harder for drivers to plead ignorance.
Next time you hop out for a quick errand, double-check those locks…because the cost of forgetting might be more than just an inconvenience.
There is another road rule catching Aussie drivers off guard.
Watch the video to save up to $6,000 in fines.
Source: Youtube/Yahoo Australia
Have you ever been fined for something you didn’t even know was against the rules? Let us know your experience in the comments.
