Is it illegal to flash your headlights to warn of police?

Flashing your headlights to warn other road users of police ahead – or a mobile speed camera – is almost as Australian as the two-finger steering-wheel wave.

But did you know it could land you a fine of up to $552 in some parts of Australia?

RELATED: Is it illegal to drive through a red light to make way for police?

In this article, we’ve contacted the police or relevant road authority for every state and territory to get clarity on the ‘headlight flash’.

We already knew it was likely to prove unpopular amongst law-enforcement types, but it turns out many have the power to sting you with a ticket for it too.

On a good day, a police officer might use discretion to let you off if you flash your headlights to warn oncoming road users of hazards such as animals on the road, or a crash – but we wouldn’t count on it.

Let’s take a closer look, noting that this article is not intended as legal advice and individual circumstances will vary.

In NSW, there’s no specific law for flashing your headlights to warn of police; however, there are laws that police could apply to that specific situation if required.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson told Drive that you must not flash any headlight unless you’re driving an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, otherwise you could be up for a $117 fine.

Further to that, a driver must not use any light fitted to their vehicle in a way that is likely to dazzle another road user.

In NSW, however, you are allowed to flash your headlights to warn a vehicle ahead that you’re about to overtake them.

Much like NSW, there aren’t any specific road rules that deal with flashing headlights to alert others of police ahead; however, there are strict rules in place when it comes to the use of high beams. 

A spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning told Drive it is an offence to use your high beams within 200 metres of another vehicle, either ahead or oncoming.

Doing so – including flashing your high beams briefly – could mean a maximum of five court penalty units ($925) or, at the very least, an infringement of $277 and one demerit point.

Meanwhile, in Victoria the fine for “dazzling” other road users with any light fitted to your car is currently $552.

A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told Drive it is illegal for a driver to flash their headlights at other drivers, including to warn them of nearby police.

Drivers who flout the law in this regard expose themselves to a relatively small $61 fine and one demerit point.

In the ACT, it is explicitly illegal to flash your headlights to warn of police. “This will result in a fine of $213 and accrual of one demerit point on the offender’s licence,” an ACT Road Policing spokesperson told Drive.

You can, however, flash your headlights to warn other road users of hazards.

“When there is a danger present that oncoming drivers cannot be warned about via any other practical method (for example, a major collision where the road is closed, or a large number of livestock obstructing the road ahead), it may be permissible to warn oncoming traffic by flashing your headlights,” said the spokesperson.

Although, “doing so in a way that the brightness dazzles any oncoming driver may still result in an infringement notice”. You’ve been warned!

The South Australia Driver’s Handbook says, “it is an offence to use your lights in such a way that you dazzle other road users”, which could be used as the basis for a fine. A $382 one, to be exact.

The fine for “using headlights on high beam when not permitted to do so” is also $382.

A WA Police spokesperson told Drive: “It is illegal in WA to fail to dip your high beam headlights, and keep them dipped, within 200 metres of another vehicle".

Sounds like the basis for a donation to WA public revenues if you ask us – a $100 one, with one demerit point the little sour cherry on top.

Transport WA also says the road rules prohibit “dazzling another road user with bright vehicle lights”.

According to the NT Road Users’ Handbook, like everywhere else in Australia, you must dip your high beam in the NT if you’re within 200 metres of another vehicle – whether approaching or following.

When overtaking, you’re encouraged to briefly flash your headlights to warn the driver ahead of your intentions. In very Top End-specific advice, if you get overtaken by a road train, you’re also encouraged to flash your lights once the last trailer has passed, to let the driver know it’s safe to re-enter the left-hand lane.

It’s illegal, however, to use any lights fitted to your vehicle to dazzle another road user. Basically, flash your headlights to warn other road users of police or a speed camera and you risk a cranky cop and a $162 fine (no demerit points).

It’s much the same in Tasmania, where it’s not kosher, or legal, to use your high beam within 200 metres of another vehicle – according to the Tasmania Road Rules Handbook.

“Never use your headlights to dazzle another road user,” it says. Doing so – including a cheeky little good-samaritan flash to warn others of the highway patrol car ahead – could land you a $181 fine and one demerit point.