A driver’s “dodgy” number plate move on a busy toll road has sparked a stern warning to other Aussie motorists.
A bright blue Lexus was captured on dash cam this week cruising along a Sydney road with its number plate visible, however as it passed under the toll gates, an automatic black curtain slides up to cover it.
The driver’s sneaky strategy to avoid paying the toll charge was called out by others, with one man who captured the footage published by Dash Cam Owners Australia labelling the person behind the wheel a “dodgy c***”.
The motorist appears to be using a ‘Stealth Plate Curtain’ — and illegal contraption that can fetch hundreds of dollars online. The devices have made headlines in recent years after popping up on various roads across the country.
However, drivers who use the curtains with the hope of saving themselves a few bucks have been warned the move could end up costing them a lot more.
NSW drivers can cop $562 fine for obscuring number plate
In NSW, anyone caught concealing their number plates faces a $562 fine and three demerit points. If taken to court, drivers can face penalties of up to $2,200.
According to Transport for NSW, number plates must be permanently fitted to vehicles in an upright position, parallel to the vehicle’s axles, and must not be obscured, defaced or otherwise illegible.
The numbers on the plate must be clearly visible from any point up to 20 metres away, and within an arc of 45 degrees from the surface of the plate above or to either side of the vehicle, the government agency’s website states.
The incident has been reported to Crime Stoppers, 10News reports. Yahoo News has contacted NSW Police.
An illegal number plate which simply reads ‘PRIVATE’ was spotted in Adelaide earlier this year. Source: Reddit/throwmethedamnstick
Bizarre number plate in South Australia turns heads
In every Aussie state and territory, it’s highly illegal to obstruct, tamper with or customise number plates.
Earlier this year, Yahoo News reported on a Toyota driver in Adelaide that was spotted with a bold, customised number plate reading “PRIVATE”. Locals suggested the plates belonged to a member of a so-called “sovereign citizen” movement — a growing group of fringe conspiracists, who believe laws don’t apply to them and can be opted out of.
Speaking to Yahoo, a spokesman for SAPOL confirmed the plates in question were illegal, and in fact, could attract an on-the-spot fine of $933. “These plates appear fake and are not plates that have been issued by SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport,” he said.
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