Is it illegal to beep your horn?

With hundreds of road rules in Australia – many of which vary between states and territories – knowing what is legal (or illegal) when driving can be confusing.

We’re here to cut through the confusion and break down some of the most asked-about road rules, including: Is it illegal to beep your horn?

And what are the penalties if you do?

In WA, it can be illegal to beep your horn… under certain circumstances.

According to Regulation 190 of the Road Traffic Code 2000, “A person must not sound the horn or any other warning instrument in or on a vehicle unless it is necessary to use the horn, or warning device, to warn other road users or animals of the approach or position of the vehicle.”

The other legal reason to use the horn is as a warning device, as part of an anti-theft device or an alcohol ignition interlock device fitted to the vehicle.

The penalty for contravening the regulation is a $50 fine.

In Tassie and NSW, a horn should only be used to warn other road users or animals of the vehicle, or where it is fitted to an interlock or anti-theft device.

Otherwise, it is illegal and subject to an infringement notice which includes 0.75 of a penalty unit and a $151.50 fine in Tasmania and a $410 fine applies for New South Welshman using a horn unnecessarily.?

ACT is similar to NSW and Tasmania as to what a horn can be used for but what differs is the penalty.

If you illegally lay on the horn anywhere in the ACT, you could face an eye-watering fine of $5,500 (maximum).

If a part of your usual goodbye includes a friendly honk of your horn as you drive off, just make sure you don’t do it in Victoria.

In the Garden State, it’s illegal to toot your horn to say goodbye, as well as to get someone’s attention, in response to a driver who has cut you off or to scare or intimidate other road users.

Using a horn incorrectly or unnecessarily can result in a fine of $197.59.

Like the other states,?a driver in Vic can only use their horn to warn other road users or animals of their vehicle's position or approach.?

Horns can also be used as part of an alcohol interlock or anti-theft device.?

In South Australia, a motor vehicle must be fitted with at least one horn or other device that can give sufficient audible warning to other road users of the approach or position of the vehicle.

But be warned: a driver must not use, or allow to be used, a horn or similar warning device, fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle unless it is necessary to use the horn, or warning device, to warn other road users or animals of the approach or position of the vehicle; or the horn, or warning device, is being used as part of an anti-theft device, or an alcohol interlock device, fitted to the vehicle.

The maximum penalty for breaching the road rule is $221 plus a $102 Victims of Crime levy.

Under the Queensland Road Rules, it’s all about context. A friendly toot of your car’s horn is okay, with drivers able to use their horns courteously and only when necessary to warn other drivers of their presence.

But an unfriendly toot, or repeatedly sounding a horn out of frustration or inconvenience can be distracting and distressing to other drivers and result in a fine of $96.

With no specific rule around horn use, you’d assume that horn beeping may be okay in the NT.

But you’d be wrong.

In fact, if you are found to use the horn inappropriately, it could be grounds for a General Penalty, which could mean a fine of up to $3240 or six months in prison! Now, that’s a good reason to try and resist the urge to honk.

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