We all know the basics of road safety: don’t speed, don’t drink and drive, and always wear your seatbelt.

But did you know there’s a little-known rule that could result in a fine of up to $6,000—just for having a dirty number plate?


It sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. And unfortunately, many Aussies—especially those who love a bit of off-roading or live in regional areas—are being caught out by this sneaky regulation.

Prominent traffic lawyer Avinash Singh has recently sounded the alarm about this obscure law, warning that drivers in New South Wales and Queensland are particularly at risk.


If your number plate is obscured by dirt, mud, or even a bit of dust, you could be facing some eye-watering penalties.

In New South Wales, driving with an obscured number plate can result in an on-the-spot fine of $544 and three demerit points, with a potential court-imposed penalty of up to $2,200.

In Queensland, the fine is $341 with no demerit points, but challenging it in court and losing could see you facing a maximum penalty of $6,452.


And it doesn’t matter whether you meant to cover your plate or not. As Singh explains, 'This is an absolute liability offence, so police don’t need to prove you intended to obscure your number plate—or even that you knew it was dirty.'

If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors in your 4WD, or you live in a rural area where dirt roads are a fact of life, you’re more likely to end up with a dirty car—and, by extension, a dirty number plate.

Unfortunately, the law doesn’t make exceptions for a bit of country living or a weekend adventure.

Singh points out that this rule 'unfairly targets' those who have little control over the state of their vehicle, especially after a long drive on dusty or muddy roads.

And with police on the lookout for people who deliberately obscure their plates to dodge tolls or speed cameras, innocent drivers can easily get swept up in the crackdown.


In NSW, Regulation 25(1)(b) of the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017, and in Queensland, Regulation 118(2)(d) of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2021, both state that number plates must be clearly visible from a distance of 20 metres.

It’s also an offence to drive with an obstructed view, including the rear window.

Elsewhere in Australia, the rules are a bit more relaxed. In most other states and territories, you won’t be fined just for having a dirty car—unless the dirt is so bad that it poses a safety risk to you or other road users.

With road fatalities on the rise, authorities are looking for ways to make our roads safer.

Over the recent Easter period, 21 people lost their lives on Queensland roads, and three died in NSW.

The national goal is to reach zero road deaths by 2050, but as RACQ’s Joshua Cooney recently said, 'At the current rate, we are heading towards another unacceptably high number of road crash fatalities in 2025 of around 300 deaths.'


While keeping number plates clean might seem small, it’s part of a broader push to ensure all vehicles are roadworthy and easily identifiable.

In New South Wales, driving with an obscured number plate can result in an on-the-spot fine of $544 and three demerit points, with a potential court-imposed penalty of up to $2,200.

In Queensland, the fine is $341 with no demerit points, but challenging it in court and losing could see you facing a maximum penalty of $6,452.

We know many of our members love a good road trip or a bit of off-road adventure.
Have you ever been fined for a dirty number plate, or do you know someone who has? Do you think the rule is fair, or is it just another way to target everyday Aussies? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below.