the driver's handbook

98
R O A d R U L E S
• It is an offence to create, send or look at a text, video message or
email on a mobile phone.
• Drivers of police or emergency vehicles are exempt.
This does not apply to a driver’s aid, such as vehicle system
equipment, dispatch system, ticket issuing machine, navigational
system, rear view screen, or closed circuit security camera.
In addition, all learner’s permit and provisional (P1) licence
holders are prohibited from using any type of mobile phone
function while driving. The mobile phone ban includes:
• using hands-free mode including Bluetooth technology
• loud speaker operation
• text messaging.
Research has shown that using a mobile phone
while driving increases crash risk by at least 4 times.
There is no safe level of mobile use while driving.
The Driver’s Handbook
When a vehicle is moving
You must not get on or off (or into or out of) a moving vehicle unless you
are engaged in door-to-door delivery or collection, such as milk delivery or
garbage collection, and the vehicle is not travelling at more than 5 km/h.
Televisions and Visual Display Units
You must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or visual
display unit (such as a DVD player) that is in operation and visible to the
driver or the driver of another vehicle.
Defective vehicles
You must not drive on the road, a vehicle that does not comply with
the roadworthiness requirements of the Road Traffic Act 1961. If your
vehicle is defective, you may be stopped at any time by a police officer
and issued with a defect notice that will require you to have certain
repairs undertaken. Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure
inspectors also have the power to stop and inspect a vehicle for
roadworthiness. Defect notices can instruct an owner or driver – until
repairs have been made and approved – not to drive the vehicle on the
road or not to sell or dispose of the vehicle.
Unnecessary noise or smoke
You must not start or drive a vehicle in a way that makes unnecessary
noise or smoke.
For example, causing the wheels of a vehicle to spin and lose traction
may make unnecessary noise or smoke.
It is also an offence for your vehicle to emit visible emissions for more
than 10 seconds. This does not apply to emissions visible only because
of heat or the condensation of water vapour.