Strangest Driving Laws In Women's World Cup Host Nations Australia and New Zealand

The Lionesses have been announced and the team has travelled across the globe to Australia to compete in the 2023 World Cup, but with driving laws differing to the UK, webuyanycar breaks down the driving laws that fans will have to adhere to during their time in the country.

The UK’s online car-buying service, webuyanycar, has produced a round-up of insights into the strangest driving laws to watch out for when driving in this year’s World Cup host nations, Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia, beeping your horn in an unnecessary manner is classed as breaking the law, which even includes friendly ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ beeps.

Drivers could face a fine if they were to stop near a post box, or within a three-metre radius of a public post box, as this impedes the delivery of mail by stopping on a road.

A rule specific to New South Wales road users could see them breaking the law if they splash mud on someone using a bus. A driver must take due care not to splash mud on anyone entering or leaving the bus or to splash those waiting for a bus, which is an offense in the state. It is however perfectly legal to splash pedestrians waiting for another mode of transport.

A friendly gesture could cost Australian road users $357 (circa £190), with it being illegal in all parts of the country to stick any body parts out of a window, which includes the gesture of a wave out of the window to a friend.

Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, said: “The whole webuyanycar team will be rooting for the England women during the World Cup, with the hope that the Lionesses will not only be the champions of Europe but the champions of the World.

“If fans are planning on heading to Australia and New Zealand, there are a few things they should know about the countries driving laws that should be kept in mind if they are choosing to hire a car or be a passenger in a vehicle.

“To celebrate the World Cup, webuyanycar is launching its own kick-up challenge across Instagram. The challenge will involve fans showing off their kick-up skills, to see how many can be achieved in 30 seconds, the same amount of time it takes to get a quote via our website.”

For fans heading to Australia’s neighbouring country, New Zealand, there are also a few laws that differ from those at home.

Like the UK, New Zealand and Australia both drive on the left side of the road, however, the rules around the drink driving limits differ.

Across the UK, the law on drinking limits doesn’t change based on age, however, in New Zealand drink-driving limits are stricter for under 20s, with under 20s not allowed to have a single drop of alcohol in their system behind the wheel.

Under 20s found with any alcohol on their breath or in their blood could face a potential fine of up to $4,500 (circa £2,187) and up to three months in prison, depending on the amount of alcohol found in the system.

Loud football anthems playing through the car speakers will also need to be restricted, with it being illegal to play music loud enough to drown out the sound of your engine, or any external warnings or hazard sounds.