Is It Illegal To Have A Dirty Car In Australia?

Between heading to work and leisure activities, it is only natural for us drivers to forget to wash our cars. Most would also assume their cars might not even need a wash. After all, seeing our vehicles everyday, it may not hit us that our vehicles are actually really overdue for a good wash. Well, now that you are here, take this as a gentle reminder to wash your car because you would not want to leave it till it is too late. Let us tell you why.  

Can you get a fine for a dirty car?

You may or may not be surprised at this but, yes you can! 

On a daily basis, your car goes through different environments and circumstances which exposes it to billions and trillions of bacteria and dirt. You may not see it, but trust us, it is there. By the time you do see it, it can already be dangerous to your health and hygiene. 

Drivers who fail to clean and wash their car can be fined up to $469 and lose three demerit points. 

Can you be fined for having a dirty number plate?

Leaving your car dirty is one thing but leaving your number plate dirty is something entirely different. Your number plate is how officials identify you and if you do not clean it properly, you are risking yourself a hefty fine and demerit points. The Court can also issue fines up to $2,200 for this offence. Here are the fine amounts in each states in Australia: 

NSW: $448

WA: $100

NT: $70

Qld: $104

SA: $534

VIC: $161

TAS: $163

Is it illegal to not see your back window in Australia?

Whether it is your windscreen, rearview mirror or side windows, anything obscuring your sight while driving is illegal. 

The best way to clean your car 

As we all know, a car wash protects the car from various environmental elements such as bird droppings, dirt and bugs. Not only will it damage the car paint over time if left unkempt, it could get you stopped on the road by officials. 

While most of us would think a simple wash using soap and water will do the trick, there are some steps you may or may not have missed out for both the exterior and interior of your vehicle.

Exterior Cleaning 

Park your vehicle in a shaded area 

This is because when you wash your car in direct sunlight, it dries up fast which can leave water marks. It may be a small issue but an avoidable one indeed. 

Pre-rinse the car 

Pre-rinse your are to remove any dirt on the surface

Prepare cleaning solution and clean water

Have two buckets on standby, one for the cleaning solution and one for clean water. This is so you can rinse the dirt off your sponge without having to dip into the cleaning solution. 

Start from the top and work your way down

If you think about it, where would be the dirtiest spot of your car? The bottom. Hence, start from the top and work your way down so the dirt from the bottom will not mix with ones on the higher surface. It will save you extra cleaning time too. 

Rinse and dry

Rinse it frequently and dry it using a microfibre towel to avoid water marks. 

Optional: Use a clay bar 

A clay bar helps remove marks or any unwanted elements on a car’s surface that washing cannot. 

Wax

Last but not least, wax your cleaned vehicle! Not only does it add shine to your car but it provides a protective layer towards the car’s paint.

Interior Cleaning 

Remove and clean floor mats 

There should be about four or more mats on the inside of your car that contain more bacteria and dirt than you can ever imagine. Remove them one by one and wash them with a good cleaner with water. Do this first as it would take them a while to dry, giving you ample time to clean the rest of the car’s interior. 

Vacuum 

Now that your car floor mats are removed, you are to vacuum your entire interior of your car. Be attentive to all the hard-to-reach areas such as corners, slits, and handles as they hide the most dirt. 

Dust and disinfect dashboard 

Use a duster or cloth to dust your dashboard and vents, then use a mild disinfectant to wipe and kill germs that may be on your dashboard. 

Carefully clean the console area

If you have not already, be sure to switch your engine off while cleaning the interior of your car. With that being stated, carefully clean your console areas such as the gearshift, panels and controls. 

Remove any hidden rubbish 

From cupholders to door panels, time to throw all that week-old rubbish away and disinfect those areas. If they are detachable, be sure to remove them and wash them before placing them back in. 

Wipe interior windows 

Using a good, efficient alcohol-based cleaner and microfibre cloth, wipe the insides of your car windows. Spray the product on one of the cloth to clean the glass while using the other one to wipe the excess off.

Deodorise

Last but not least, time to get a car freshener for the final touch and you are all set!

Want to know more about vehicle offences? 

Well, it settles that a dirty car is actually an illegal dirty car. Generally, having your car washed and cleaned should be done at least once to twice a month, depending on how frequent you use your car. If you are still unsure or you have any doubts, be sure to reach out to Deans Autoglass. 

Contact us at Dean’s Autoglass for a professional opinion and our guidance on how you should be cleaning your car here in Perth, Australia. We will be able to assist you in repairs, customer service and consultations.