Pets in cars: What are the rules when on the road?

How many goats can I carry in the back of my ute? Can Roxy the Chihuahua sit on my lap while I drive? Is my cat allowed to sunbake on the dashboard? No? What about my bearded dragon?

If you drive a car and own one or more animals, hopefully you’ve never asked any of those questions. But we get it… What’s legal and what’s not can be confusing at the best of times – especially when it comes to animals. Travel between states and you might be left with more questions than answers.

So we’ve compiled a list of the most popular questions relating to animal transportation in cars.

According to VICRoads, there are ‘no road rules about securing animals in a vehicle while driving’, but there are animal welfare laws to consider.

Technically, Victorian drivers don’t need to restrain a dog riding in a car, unless it’s on the back of a ute (working cattle dogs excepted) it is recommended though.

What is illegal? Putting dogs in the boot of a sedan for starters. Also riding a motorbike with a dog or cat between you and the handlebars. Although it doesn’t mention anything about them riding on the pillion seat (if their balance is good enough).

Like Victoria, you’re not allowed to drive with a pet on your lap or between the handlebars on a motorcycle, and you should think twice about letting your pup wander freely on the back seat.

On-the-spot fines of up to $500 can be issued for drivers with unrestrained animals in the car as they could prevent the driver from having proper control of the car.

If an animal is injured as a result of being unrestrained, drivers can expect six months’ jail time and fines of up to $5500 can be issued from the RSPCA.

A driver must not drive with an animal or passenger on their lap.

New laws in the nation's capital have been introduced that makes it illegal to leave an animal unattended in a car if it is likely to cause it harm. The laws also allows someone to legally break into a car to save an animal where there are reasonable grounds to do so and all other options, such as contacting Domestic Animal Services, have been exhausted.

A driver must not drive with an animal or passenger on their lap.

Dogs travelling on back of utes need to be restrained.

Again, no pets on laps in the Sunshine State.

The QLD road rules however, don’t say you have to have animals restrained, although it’s obviously recommended for the safety of all involved.

Those from (or visiting) the Apple Isle are required to restrain canines – fines of $159 from Tasmania Police apply if you’re caught with a roaming pup in the car.

A person must not drive a vehicle if a person or an animal is in the
driver's lap.

The provision which prohibited transporting a dog unrestrained on a vehicle was removed from the Animal Welfare Act in 2013.

Over in WA, road rules are a little more relaxed.

While it doesn’t go into restraint methods, the rule book states that you mustn’t tie an animal to a motor vehicle to exercise it in any way.

Also, we urge common sense with any passengers, human or animal in cars. Also never leave your pets in the car, especially on a hot day! In most states there are penalties if pets are found in locked cars unattended.

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