Luxury car owners face shock as dodgy move puts vehicles at risk
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When it comes to driving in Australia, most of us play by the rules—especially when it comes to those pesky toll roads.
But every now and then, someone tries to outsmart the system, and thanks to the wonders of dashcams and social media, their antics are caught for all to see.
This time, it’s a Sydney Lexus driver who’s found themselves in hot water after being caught red-handed in a brazen act that’s left the internet buzzing.
The incident, captured and shared by Dash Cam Owners Australia, shows a blue Lexus GS190 pulling a stunt straight out of a spy movie.
As the car approaches a toll point, a black curtain slides down over the number plate, obscuring it from the toll cameras.
Once safely through, the curtain rolls back up, revealing the rego for all to see. It’s a move that’s as cheeky as it is illegal.
Motorist uses a remote-controlled number plate curtain to dodge toll. Credit: YouTube
The dashcam owner, clearly unimpressed, can be heard exclaiming, ‘Oh look at that, what a dodgy c***!’
And honestly, it’s hard not to agree. The footage quickly made the rounds online, with eagle-eyed viewers noting that the car’s registration is still visible after the curtain retracts.
Records confirm the 2005 Lexus is registered in NSW, and the authorities didn’t take long to get involved. NSW Police have confirmed they received a report via Crime Stoppers and are now investigating.
So, what’s the big deal about covering your number plate? In NSW, having number plates that are obscured, defaced, or not properly fitted is a serious offence.
The rules are clear: plates must be permanently attached, upright, and visible from 20 metres away within a 45-degree arc.
If you’re caught flouting these rules, you’re looking at a $562 fine and three demerit points. Take it to court, and the penalty could skyrocket to $2,200. Ouch!
Despite the hefty risks, number plate curtains—often operated by remote control—are surprisingly easy to buy online, with prices ranging from $100 to $200.
But just because you can buy them doesn’t mean you should as one online commenter put it, ‘Pretty stupid to think that only obscuring plates at the tolling gantries will avoid the tolls.
There are hundreds of other monitoring cameras on the road with enough resolution that will allow the car to be identified with the plates visible, and the owner will be prosecuted in addition to paying all the required tolls.’
The online reaction has been a mix of amusement, outrage, and a dash of sympathy. Some viewers couldn’t help but poke fun at the driver’s short-sightedness: ‘I’m sure the $4 he saved will work out in the long run.’ Others pointed out the futility of the act, noting that the car is distinctive enough to be easily identified by police.
‘Yikes, going to lose the car,’ one person wrote, while another added, ‘Oh, that’s gonna be hard to argue in court.’
But not everyone was quick to condemn. A few commenters sympathised with the driver’s desire to avoid tolls, lamenting the high cost of driving in Australia.
‘Dodgy or not, we shouldn’t have to pay tolls to drive on our roads, we pay enough as it is with rego, insurance, green slips, tax,’ one said.
Another added, ‘Snitch, who wants to pay for tolls these days, Australia is too damn expensive as it is, cannot thrive in this country.’
It’s a sentiment many of us can relate to—after all, the cost of living is rising, and every dollar counts.
But as tempting as it might be to try to dodge a toll or two, the risks far outweigh the rewards. Not only are you facing steep fines and demerit points, but you’re also risking your vehicle being impounded and your insurance being voided if you’re caught using illegal modifications.
For our Seniors Discount Club members, this story is a timely reminder to keep things above board when it comes to your car.
If you’re feeling the pinch from tolls and other motoring costs, there are safer ways to save—like carpooling, using public transport, or planning routes that avoid toll roads altogether.
And if you’re ever in doubt about what’s legal and what’s not, check with your local transport authority or give us a shout in the comments.
Credit: YouTube
Have you ever seen someone try to dodge a toll, or have you been tempted yourself? What do you think about the rising cost of driving in Australia? Share your thoughts and stories below.
Read more: Spotted! Mysterious number plate sparking online debate–is it even legal?
But every now and then, someone tries to outsmart the system, and thanks to the wonders of dashcams and social media, their antics are caught for all to see.
This time, it’s a Sydney Lexus driver who’s found themselves in hot water after being caught red-handed in a brazen act that’s left the internet buzzing.
The incident, captured and shared by Dash Cam Owners Australia, shows a blue Lexus GS190 pulling a stunt straight out of a spy movie.
As the car approaches a toll point, a black curtain slides down over the number plate, obscuring it from the toll cameras.
Once safely through, the curtain rolls back up, revealing the rego for all to see. It’s a move that’s as cheeky as it is illegal.
Motorist uses a remote-controlled number plate curtain to dodge toll. Credit: YouTube
The dashcam owner, clearly unimpressed, can be heard exclaiming, ‘Oh look at that, what a dodgy c***!’
And honestly, it’s hard not to agree. The footage quickly made the rounds online, with eagle-eyed viewers noting that the car’s registration is still visible after the curtain retracts.
Records confirm the 2005 Lexus is registered in NSW, and the authorities didn’t take long to get involved. NSW Police have confirmed they received a report via Crime Stoppers and are now investigating.
So, what’s the big deal about covering your number plate? In NSW, having number plates that are obscured, defaced, or not properly fitted is a serious offence.
The rules are clear: plates must be permanently attached, upright, and visible from 20 metres away within a 45-degree arc.
If you’re caught flouting these rules, you’re looking at a $562 fine and three demerit points. Take it to court, and the penalty could skyrocket to $2,200. Ouch!
Despite the hefty risks, number plate curtains—often operated by remote control—are surprisingly easy to buy online, with prices ranging from $100 to $200.
But just because you can buy them doesn’t mean you should as one online commenter put it, ‘Pretty stupid to think that only obscuring plates at the tolling gantries will avoid the tolls.
There are hundreds of other monitoring cameras on the road with enough resolution that will allow the car to be identified with the plates visible, and the owner will be prosecuted in addition to paying all the required tolls.’
The online reaction has been a mix of amusement, outrage, and a dash of sympathy. Some viewers couldn’t help but poke fun at the driver’s short-sightedness: ‘I’m sure the $4 he saved will work out in the long run.’ Others pointed out the futility of the act, noting that the car is distinctive enough to be easily identified by police.
‘Yikes, going to lose the car,’ one person wrote, while another added, ‘Oh, that’s gonna be hard to argue in court.’
But not everyone was quick to condemn. A few commenters sympathised with the driver’s desire to avoid tolls, lamenting the high cost of driving in Australia.
‘Dodgy or not, we shouldn’t have to pay tolls to drive on our roads, we pay enough as it is with rego, insurance, green slips, tax,’ one said.
Another added, ‘Snitch, who wants to pay for tolls these days, Australia is too damn expensive as it is, cannot thrive in this country.’
It’s a sentiment many of us can relate to—after all, the cost of living is rising, and every dollar counts.
For our Seniors Discount Club members, this story is a timely reminder to keep things above board when it comes to your car.
If you’re feeling the pinch from tolls and other motoring costs, there are safer ways to save—like carpooling, using public transport, or planning routes that avoid toll roads altogether.
And if you’re ever in doubt about what’s legal and what’s not, check with your local transport authority or give us a shout in the comments.
Credit: YouTube
Read more: Spotted! Mysterious number plate sparking online debate–is it even legal?
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