{"id":88217,"date":"2026-09-04T16:17:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T16:17:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/88217\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T16:17:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T16:17:32","slug":"aussie-drivers-face-new-road-noise-rules-as-fines-double-to-1200","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/88217\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie drivers face new road noise rules as fines ‘double’ to $1,200"},"content":{"rendered":"

Noisy cars and motorcycles<\/a> are increasingly in the sights of authorities<\/a> across Australia, with drivers in one state now facing tougher penalties<\/a> under strengthened noise laws.<\/p>\n

The new NSW rules<\/a> include increased fines for a range of noise offences, with on-the-spot penalties for excessive motor vehicle noise doubled.<\/p>\n

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said the changes to the state’s Noise Control Regulation followed an extensive consultation process with communities and regulators.<\/p>\n

EPA Executive Director of Policy Programs and Finance, Asela Atapattu, said the updated rules were designed to reflect changing lifestyles while tackling disruptive neighbourhood noise.<\/p>\n

“We know the impact that offensive or disruptive noise can have on people. That’s why it’s important that neighbourhood noise standards are meeting community expectations,” he said.<\/p>\n

Noisy vehicles face tougher penalties<\/p>\n

Under the new rules, drivers using a vehicle on a road or road-related area that exceeds the prescribed noise limit by 15 decibels or more can face a $1,200 fine.<\/p>\n

The fine is $500 for noise exceeding the limit by 5 to 14 decibels, or $300 for less than five.<\/p>\n

\"Noise<\/p>\n

Hi-tech noise cameras similar to these in the UK can detect excessively loud vehicles and capture their registration plates. Source: UK Government<\/p>\n

Drivers can also cop a $400 fine for defective or missing noise-control equipment.<\/p>\n

A $270 penalty and two demerit points can apply when offensive noise is emitted from a vehicle’s sound system while driving.<\/p>\n

Police can also issue a $434 fine and three demerit points to motorists who start or drive a vehicle in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke, including unnecessarily revving an engine.<\/p>\n

Most offences can also result in a vehicle defect notice, requiring the problem to be fixed.<\/p>\n

Changes follow noise camera trial<\/p>\n

The increased fines come after NSW authorities last year trialled hi-tech noise cameras<\/a> in the Wollongong and Bayside council areas.<\/p>\n

The Australian-first trial used acoustic technology to detect excessive vehicle noise before cameras captured the offending vehicle’s registration plate.<\/p>\n

The technology found that motorcycles accounted for about 55 per cent of detected noise events, despite representing only around four per cent of registered vehicles in NSW.<\/p>\n

Authorities also found that aggressive acceleration was a factor in all noisy events, and that the collected data is being analysed to inform future options for managing vehicle noise.<\/p>\n

It is understood NSW Police are still reviewing the data obtained from the trial and have yet to announce a broader rollout of noise cameras.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, South Australia is considering hi-tech noise cameras<\/a> to catch drivers with excessively loud vehicles, following NSW’s Australian-first trial of the technology.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story about road rules? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"NSW<\/p>\n

Aussie drivers face fines of up to $1,200 under NSW’s tougher new noise rules. Source: Getty Images\/Intelligent Instruments<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/p>\n

Air conditioners get heatwave exemption<\/p>\n

The updated NSW rules also address noise from other common household sources.<\/p>\n

Air conditioners will be exempt from restrictive use hours during severe or extreme heatwaves, while permitted hours for residential pumps and air conditioners have also been extended.<\/p>\n

Other changes include making owners or occupiers of private property liable for off-road motor vehicle noise and adding microphones and megaphones to regulated devices on marine vessels.<\/p>\n

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