Australia's most annoying driving habit could cost you more than $500 in fines

Thursday, 27 November 2025 08:46

It's happening in this photo, but plenty of motorists have no idea they're risking hefty penalties when they do it.

Exclusive: Australians have voted on the most annoying driving habits and countless motorists are guilty of the top offenders.

Several of which can attract hefty fines and penalties.

A survey from Youi revealed the six most annoying driving habits encountered on Australian roads.

Sydney, Australia, October 26, 2025- Driving through the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Tailgating took the top spot, with more than half of the Aussies surveyed branding it one of the top three most annoying driving habits.

More than 40 per cent ranked it number one.

Not using indicators was in second place, with 36 per cent of the Aussies surveyed putting it in their top three most annoying habits.

In third place was cutting into a lane without warning, which 29 per cent of Aussies included in their top three.

Driving too slowly in the right lane, using a phone while driving and road rage were also commonly cited among the most annoying habits Aussies experience on our roads.

Almost 40 per cent of respondents said they witnessed these annoying and potentially unsafe driving habits weekly.

Nearly one in five reported experiencing them almost daily.

About a quarter said they had reported other drivers for unsafe or annoying behaviour on Australian roads in the past.

When asked how these bad habits should be combatted, more than 40 per cent of Aussies were in favour of stricter penalties.

And the penalties for some of these behaviours are already pretty severe.

Tailgating

Tailgating, or following a lead vehicle too closely, is dangerous and illegal in Australia.

Fines and penalties are as follows:

NSW: $562 fine and three demerit points
Queensland: $389 fine and one demerit point
Victoria: $305.26 fine and one demerit point
ACT: $447 fine and one demerit point
SA: $414 fine and one demerit point
WA: $200 fine and two demerit points
NT: N/A
Tasmania: fine of up to 10 penalty units ($2050)

Cars with New South Wales number plates travelling on the Eastern Distributor tollway that skirts the central business district of Sydney. They are passing a sign warning of speed cameras in the approaching tunnel. One of the cars is tailgating the car in front. Another car is obscured behind a pillar on the right. This image was taken from a pedestrian walkway linking Woolloomooloo Bay and The Domain near the Art Gallery of NSW on a hot and sunny afternoon on 1 March 2025.

Not using indicators

Failing to indicate when turning or misusing indicator lights could land drivers with a fine and other penalties.

Fines and penalties are as follows:

NSW: $235 fine and two demerit points
Queensland: $100 and two demerit points
Victoria: $203.51 fine and up to two demerit points
ACT: $224 fine
SA: $392 fine and two demerit points
WA: N/A
NT: $60
Tasmania: $146 fine and two demerit points

Cutting in without warning

It is an offence to not give adequate room to other cars when overtaking or overtake when it's not safe, also known as 'cutting in'.

Fines and penalties are as follows:

NSW: $423 fine and two demerit points
Queensland: $233 and two demerit points
Victoria: $407.02 fine and two demerit points
ACT: $335 fine and two demerit points
SA: $377 fine and two demerit points
WA: $400 fine and four demerit points
NT: $70
Tasmania: fine of up to 10 penalty units ($2050)

Keep left unless overtaking street sign in Australian bush

Driving too slowly in the right lane

There are no specific road rules or penalties for driving too slowly in the right lane.

However, it is an offence in all states and territories to drive significantly below the speed limit and in doing so create an obstruction for other vehicles.

Drivers can also face penalties for driving in the right lane when not overtaking on a road with 'keep left unless overtaking' signs posted, or on some roads with high speed limits.

Using a phone while driving

Using or even touching a phone while driving is illegal in all Australian states and territories.

Fines and penalties are as follows:

NSW: fines start at $423 and five demerit points
Queensland: $1,251 fine and four demerit points
Victoria: $611 fine and four demerit points
ACT: $548 fine to $674 and three to four demerit points
SA: $658 fine and three demerit points
WA: $500 fine to $1000 and four demerit points
NT: $500 fine and three demerit points
Tasmania: $410 fine and three demerit points

South Australia's new detection cameras have caught almost 31,000 motorists using their phone in just one month of the system going live.

Aggressive driving/road rage

Aggressive driving and road rage aren't standalone offences in Australia, but engaging in engaging in violent or aggressive behaviour on the road can attract hefty fines and penalties, including prison time.

Furious and reckless driving is knowingly or carelessly driving in a way which seriously endangers others.

Predatory and menacing driving offences occur when a driver pursues or threatens someone else on the road with the intent to cause physical injury.

Fines and penalties vary depending on the specific offence and where it occurred.

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