Is it illegal to drive with your interior light on? 

With hundreds of road rules in Australia, many of which vary between states and territories, knowing what is legal and illegal when driving can be confusing, to say the least.

At carsales, we’re taking the confusion out of the equation, to break down some of the most asked-about road rules including: is it illegal to drive your car with your cabin light on?

And what are the penalties if you do?

Let’s unpack this road rule for each Australian state and territory.

In the west, the Road Traffic Code 2000 doesn’t directly prohibit driving with a vehicle’s interior lights on.

However, regulation 263(1) states that a driver must obtain a full and uninterrupted view of the road and any traffic ahead and on either side; and that the driver can obtain, in a rear-vision mirror or mirrors attached to the vehicle, a clear reflected view of every overtaking vehicle.

“Having the cabin light on when the environment outside the vehicle is dark makes it much more difficult to view the road ahead and to the side, and to use the rear-view mirror,” a spokesperson from the WA Road Safety Commission says.

“Reflections of the illuminated vehicle interior will appear in the windows and mirrors, obscuring the driver’s view of the road outside.”

If a driver opts to ignore this or a passenger flicks the interior lights on, they risk losing one demerit point and copping a $100 fine.

The spokesperson also warns that if a driver’s view is obscured by reflections caused by the interior light, they “may be charged with a ‘careless driving’ offence under the?Road Traffic Act 1974?particularly if they fail to see another road user, obstruction or obstacle and are involved in a crash.”

The penalty for careless driving (section 62) is $1500, while the penalty for careless driving causing death, grievous bodily harm or bodily harm (section 59BA) is at least three months disqualification from driving, plus a fine up to $36,000 or three-years imprisonment.

Like WA, there is no direct offence regarding interior light use In the Apple Isle.

However – yep, that word again – under road rule 297, it is an offence to drive a vehicle where the driver does not have a clear view of the road and traffic ahead, behind, and to each side.

An interior light at night would hinder visibility and therefore be an offence with a possible penalty of $202.

No, in Victoria it's not illegal to drive with your interior lights on, but it can be dangerous and distracting.?

And, while there's no law against driving with interior lights on, you could be charged with careless driving if the light interferes with your ability to drive safely.?This could happen if the light makes it harder to see outside, or if it reflects off your windshield and obscures your vision.?

“Interior lights can also be distracting for other drivers, especially in reduced visibility conditions like heavy rain,” says a spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning.

“If you do have interior lights on while driving, you should try to dim them as much as possible.?You should also avoid flashing, strobing, or brightly coloured lights, which can be a safety hazard.”

Under the Light Vehicle Standards (LVSR) regs, a vehicle may be fitted with interior lights that illuminate any interior part of the vehicle and with no law regulating the use of interior lighting while driving in South Australia, you’d think having your lights on was pretty safe.

However, there is a duty to maintain a clear view of traffic ahead, behind and to each side under Australian Road Rule?ARR?297(2), and interior lighting may interfere with that, especially at night, so again, best to switch them off.

In the Sunshine State, drivers can use their interior light while driving but must drive with due care and attention.

“It’s a good idea to remove any distractions that may prevent a driver from focusing on the road, this includes turning off interior vehicle lights if they are not needed,” says a Queensland Transport and Main Road spokesperson.

There is no specific road rule prohibiting driving whilst a vehicle’s interior light/s are switched on.

That said, driving with interior lights switched on may impact a driver’s vision and impact a clear view of the road and proper control of the vehicle, particularly during low light or night-time driving through lower visibility and increased distraction, and this might put you in violation of a couple of other road rules.

These include NSW Road Rule 297 (1), which states a driver must maintain proper control of a vehicle, with a fine of $544 and three demerits applicable.

And NSW Road Rule 297 (2) which states a driver must not drive a motor vehicle unless the driver has a clear view of the road and traffic, ahead, behind and to each side of the driver, with a fine of $410 (and three demerits applicable). ??

Neither the Northern Territory nor the Australian Capital Territory have laws prohibiting the use of bright interior lighting while driving, however, like other states, using them at night may put you in violation of other laws, so it’s better to switch them off.

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