How Australian drivers could be fined up to $454 for doing this very simple act outside your car 

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How you can be fined up to $454 for doing this very simple act after getting out of your car

  • Leaving the car door open could see Australian drivers cop a fine of up to $454 
  • Rule 269(3) of the Australian Road Rules makes it illegal to leave a car door open 
  • Leaving the door of a vehicle open can create a hazard, with fines across states 

By Miriah Davis For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:


A harmless act that many motorists have probably found themselves responsible of could potentially leave drivers stung with fines of up to $454.

Ducking out of the car while leaving the door of your vehicle open, for even just a few seconds, could leave Australian drivers with a hefty fine or loss of demerit points. 

The innocuous act can result in heavy fines from police if they believe the door is posing a hazard to oncoming traffic and other motorists on the road.

Leaving the door of a car left open could leave drivers across Australia stung with hefty fines and loss of demerit points (pictured, stock image)

But many Australian drivers will be surprised to know the act is considered illegal across the country as outlined in part three of Rule 269 in the Australian Road Rules.

Penalties vary across states with Victoria enforcing the most expensive penalty, issuing a fine of $454 to drivers who leave the door of a vehicle open.

Only drivers in South Australia can face losing demerit points for the offence, with a penalty of $200 and three demerit points issued to motorists. 

States like Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory use the penalty unit system instead that vary in price across states.   

Drivers are warned to be extra vigilant around road safety, as other lesser known road rules could catch motorists off guard. 

In NSW drivers resting their elbow on an open car window can carry fines of $349 and three demerit points.

Fines for leaving the door of a vehicle open:

New South Wales: Authorities can issue a fine of $349 to drivers who leave their car doors open 

Victoria: Motorists could be stung with a hefty $454 fine for posing a hazard to other vehicles 

Australian Capital Territory: Canberrans could cop a $205 fine for leaving a vehicle door open on the road

Tasmania: Drivers are issued a lighter penalty of $173 if Police catch them leaving their door open

South Australia: Rule breakers could face a $200 penalty and lose three demerit points for creating hazard a by opening door of vehicle or leaving a door open 

Queensland: Drivers will be hit with one penalty unit for leaving the door of a car open which is the equivalent to $137.50

Western Australia: The act is also punishable by one penalty unit but at a lesser charge of $50

Northern Territory: classified under a general driving offence, motorists could face one penalty unit equal to $157 

In July last year a Queensland driver was fined $400 and ordered to pay $105.65 in court costs for breaking an obscure road rule. 

The rule applies when there is a green light plus a red right hand turn arrow at an intersection.

Under Section 56 of Queensland’s Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Road Rules It is illegal for drivers to change lanes to avoid the red and go straight through the intersection on the green.

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