Is it legal to put Christmas lights on your car?

Christmas is just around the corner, and motorists around the world have been getting into the holiday spirit by decorating their cars in lights akin to those found on a Christmas tree to spread seasonal cheer.

However, this seemingly innocent, good-natured act could land you in hot water, with almost every state or territory setting strict bounds about what you can and can’t put on your vehicle while it’s driving.

“The most apparent danger of decorating your vehicle with lights is the risk of dazzling other road users,” said Avinash Singh, principal lawyer at Astor Legal. 

“If the lights are affixed to the rear of your vehicle and they are red, then there is also a risk they could confuse drivers about when you are braking. Both of which increase the risk of accidents. 

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“There are no decorative lights that are legal. Even the lights that can be added to your vehicle must be in accordance with the standards each State’s road authority prescribes. Stickers are usually the only type of Christmas decorations that can be legally added to a vehicle. 

“Other decorations that obscure your view, obscure your number plate or increase the dimensions of your vehicle will generally be illegal and attract fines of up to $2200.

“If the lights you add to your vehicle are red and blue, then there is also a risk people could see you as a police vehicle. This would be an offence under Section 546D of the Crimes Act 1900 which carries a maximum jail term of two years.”

If you want to find out if you can put Christmas lights on your car where you live, read on below.

New South Wales

According to the Road Rules 2014 legislation, it’s an offence to “use any additional headlight permitted to be fitted to the vehicle by the applicable vehicle standards law when the vehicle is being driven on a length of road for which there is provision for the lighting by means of road lighting or when any approaching vehicle is visible to the driver”.

Additionally, “a driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user”.

Failure to comply with either of these rules will result in a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units, each. At a current value of $110, this could mean monetary fines in excess of $2200.

Victoria

Like New South Wales, Victoria’s Road Safety Rules 2017 says “a driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user”.

Failure to do so may result in motorists being hit with three penalty units, valued at $197.59 each.

Queensland

Queensland’s road rules state “a vehicle may be fitted with a light or reflector not permitted under this schedule only if the light or reflector is required or permitted to be fitted to a vehicle under an Act”.

The legislation also states “a vehicle, other than an exempt vehicle or special use vehicle, must not be fitted with a light that flashes other than as required or permitted under an Act”.

Up to 20 penalty units can be issued for breaking these rules, at a cost of $161.30 each.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, the state allows for “additional pairs of headlights [to] be fitted to a motor vehicle with 4 or more wheels that was built after 1969”, however they can only emit white light and not interfere with the standard lights.

Two penalty units with a value of $50 can be issued.

South Australia

It’s a similar case in South Australia, where four additional forward-facing lights can be added to a vehicle, but only if they’re white and are fitted symmetrically.

The state doesn’t implement penalty units, and there are no clear penalties for having a car which doesn’t comply with the road rules.

Tasmania

According to Tasmania’s lawmakers, “a driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user”.

Up to five penalty units can be issued, at a price of $202 each.

Australian Capital Territory

In the nation’s capital, motorists can’t drive a vehicle that’s fitted with an additional headlight if it’s “being driven on a length of road in a built-up area; or the driver is driving less than 200m behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction or 200m from an oncoming vehicle”.

Individuals face 20 penalty units worth $160 each for failing to comply with the road rules.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has a looser interpretation of additional vehicle lights, only saying that “lights that are to be fitted to a vehicle are the lights required under the Motor Vehicles (Standards) Regulations 2003”.

A fine of $50 can be issued if motorists don’t comply with this.