The common headlight habit that could cost you $1,000 while driving in Australia
- Road rules around high beam use are very specific
- Fines range from $50 to over $1,000 for breaking rules
- READ MORE: Revealed: The type of car stolen the most in Victoria
Unsuspecting drivers face massive fines for a common but dangerous headlight habit.
The laws around use of high beams, a vehicle's brightest lights, are not well known but motorists who do not follow them could cop severe penalties.
Many motorists mistakenly believe that high beams can only be used when driving on an unlit country roads and highways.
Others believe that high beams must be switched off immediately once another vehicle is visible.
Some drivers only turn their high beams off when they see another car in front of them.
Road rules around the use of high beams while driving are very specific—here's what you need to know to avoid breaking the law and facing a hefty fine of up to $1,000.
Across Australia, in all states and territories, high beams are permitted on any type of road or street.
A driver must turn off their high beams when they are less than 200 metres behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction, or an oncoming vehicle.
The road rules around high beam use while driving are a little less known, with many of motorists unknowingly using them illegally (stock image)
Drivers are not allowed to use any light fitted to their vehicle, including high beams, to dazzle or distract another road user.
However, a motorist is permitted to briefly flash their high beams immediately before starting to overtake, by way of notifying the other driver.
Fines for breaking high-beam use rules vary in each state and territory, with drivers facing fines ranging from $50 to $1,000 depending on where they are caught.
In the Northern Territory, a driver could cop a fine of $50 for breaking the road rule, while in Queensland the penalty is $66 and in Western Australia it's $100.
In NSW motorists face a fine of $140, while in Tasmania the penalty is $202.
Drivers n the Australian Capital Territory face a fine of $224 for misusing their high beams, while in South Australia fines range between $70 to $300.
Victoria is the most expensive state to be fined for improper use of high beams, with the penalty starting at $305 and reaching more than $1,000 if taken to court.
A one demerit point penalty is also issued to motorists in states and territories across Australia if they are caught breaking high beam road rules.
The rules around high beam use are the same across Australia in all states and territories, however the fines can range between $50 to upwards of $1,000 depending on where a driver is caught (stock image)
An unspoken common practice among Aussie drivers is to flash their high beams to warn others of a police vehicle.
While the practice in itself is not illegal, drivers may still face fines for related offences such as dazzling a driver or inappropriate use of high beams.
A driver could also be charged with hindering a police officer, which has its own set of penalties, if they are caught flashing their high beams to warn other motorists.
