Road rules

For free and confidential legal advice about this topic, please contact us here.

This page contains answers to the most common questions young people ask us about road rules.  It is not a full list of road rules! 

Seat belts

Do I have to wear a seatbelt in a car?

Yes. You have to wear a seat belt in a car as both a driver and a passenger. If you’re driving without a seatbelt, you can be fined $330 and will lose 3 demerit points! If you’re carrying a passenger without a seatbelt, you can be fined about $330 for each passenger without a seatbelt!

If you’re over 16 and you’re a passenger in a car and you’re not wearing a seatbelt, you can be fined $330!  

Motorcycles

Do I have to wear a helmet on a motorbike?

Yes. All motorcycle riders and passengers have to wear approved motorcycle helmets. There are no exceptions.  If you’re driving without a helmet, you can be fined $330 and lose 3 demerit points. If you’re a passenger, you can also be fined $330!

Can I do lane filtering?

You can do lane filtering only if you have your unrestricted motorbike licence, you’re travelling less than 30km/h, it’s not a school zone and it’s safe for you to do so.  For more information on lane filtering, visit: http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/motorcyclists/lanefiltering/

For more information on staying safe on motorcycles, http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/motorcyclists/index.html

Bicycles

Do I have to wear a helmet on a bicycle?

Yes. All cyclists and passengers on bikes have to wear helmets. You can be fined $330 for not wearing a helmet.

Can I ride my bike on the footpath?

You can only ride your bike on a footpath if you are under 12 years old or you’re supervising a child who is under 12 years old.

For more information on staying safe on a bicycle in New South Wales, check out this page: http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/bicyclists/safe_riding.html

Skateboards, rollerblades, rollerskates

Do I have to wear a helmet?

No, you don’t have to wear a helmet if you’re on a skateboard, rollerblades or roller-skates, but it’s still a good idea.

There are also some other laws about riding skateboards, rollerblades and roller skates:

• you must keep to the left of a footpath or shared path unless it is impractical to do so.
• you must give way to pedestrians
• you must not do it on a road or on a road which has speed limits over 50 kilometres per hour
  

Can I use my mobile phone while driving?

No. If you’re on your Ls, P1s or P2s, you can’t use your phone at all while driving, even if it’s on hands-free or you’re just touching it to change the music.  If you’re caught, you could be fined $330.

Is speeding illegal?

Yes. Speeding is always against the law. If you’re caught speeding, you could lose your licence on the spot, depending on how fast you were going.  

If you’re on your P or L licence, there are special speeding laws that apply to you.  Please check out our Licences page for more information.

Number plates

When you’re driving a car or motorbike, your number plates must always be visible.  If they’re not visible or you don’t have them, you can be fined between $439 and $659!

For more info on road rules

Check out the NSW Government’s web site: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/index.html

If you’re under 25 and you have a question about road rules that we haven’t answered here, please ask us a question here and we can give you some free information and advice.