Ending the argument: These are the official rules of Spotto

Entertaining a young family on a road trip can be a thankless task. As the kilometres slide by in a seemingly endless blur, kids consigned to the back seats can get restless as boredom sets in.

Devices, such as tablets and smartphones, can alleviate the boredom, but encouraging kids to stay off their screens brings its own rewards.

One of the most popular road trip games all the family can play is Spotto, that eternal game of observation and speed.

The premise is simple. Spot a yellow car on the road and the first person to call out ‘Spotto’ claims the point. The more yellow cars, the more points.

But, the rules of Spotto can vary and vary greatly. Different rules abound, from family to family, and even person to person.

To help minimise the inevitable arguments, the loftily-titled International Spotto Federation (ISF, yes, it’s a thing... check out its website here), published its definite rules for the, ahem, evergreen road trip game in 2019.

According to the ISF – which was formed in Australia by, in its own words, “a fatigued parent” – the aim of its unified rules is “to promote its culture; and to once and for all, stop fights about the rules”.

As anyone who has travelled with kids can attest, Spotto-fuelled fights are not only commonplace, but inevitable. No one, it seems, can agree on the definition of yellow. Or any colour for that matter.

My own little Ms 9, who loves a game of Spotto or two, usually announced in the car with a loud “1… 2… 3… 4… I declare a Spotto War” will argue until she’s blue (yellow?) in the face that orange is yellow and mustard isn’t.

She’ll also claim a blue and red car seen together on the road constitutes a purple – or “Super Dooper Spotto” as per the ISF. Nice try kid, but no.

Here then, to quell any arguments and to save the very foundation of Australian families, are the definitive rules – according to the International Spotto Federation – of what is arguably the world’s best road trip game.

1) The vehicle needs to be mainly yellow: At least 50 per cent. The yellow pinstripe on a black sports car does not make it yellow

2) Any shade of yellow is allowed, from metallic yellow to pale sunflower

3) Gold is not yellow

4) Lime is not yellow

5) Vehicles ‘in uniform’ do not count, like school buses and taxis in the US. Yellow-branded company vehicles (such as DHL or Oz Harvest vans) are, however, acceptable

6) Double points are awarded for spotting a pink car and yelling "Super Spotto!"

7) Triple points are awarded for spotting a purple car and yelling "Super Dooper Spotto!"

8) The car must either be driving or have a driver inside it. Parked and unattended cars are not allowed

9) If you Spotto a car and it turns out that it doesn't meet the criteria, you lose a point

10) Cars move fast: If a spotto’ed vehicle is no longer visible to other players for confirmation, rely on the Honour System. Be trustworthy or the whole thing falls apart

11) Once spotted, that vehicle is not allowed to be used again during that trip.

12) A trip is defined as the journey between a starting point and a set destination that terminates when the driver removes their key from the ignition and all passengers exit the vehicle. A 'round trip' – such as going to the shops and back – ends when the driver returns home: you can't Spotto a car on the way to the shops and then Spotto it again on the way back. Driving an hour-and-a-half to Nanna's counts as one trip. Driving back from her place is another trip. PS: go visit your Nanna – she misses you!

13) Spotto is Always On. The game doesn't end. Spotto isn't about winning one game: it's about always winning and proving that you have the sharpest eye on the road.

14) Sometimes when travelling with a friend you may choose to announce the winner as the player with the most points at the end of the journey. All players must agree to this.

15) Winning Spotto is not about a prize or trophy. It's about glory and immortality.

You can read all about the International Spotto Federation here.

What are your favourite road trip games? And what are your family's rules for Spotto? Let us know in the comments below.