Australian drivers could now face severe penalties, including losing their licence, for taking selfies or using phones to capture photos while driving. The new traffic licence rule update for 2025 tightens laws around mobile device use behind the wheel, aiming to cut road accidents linked to driver distraction.
What Has Changed in the Law?
Under the updated road safety regulations, holding or manipulating a phone to take a selfie while driving is treated the same as high-risk mobile phone use. This includes situations where the vehicle is moving, stationary at traffic lights, or even in slow congestion.
Offences now carry larger fines, demerit points, and potential immediate licence suspension, especially for repeat offenders. Police and mobile detection cameras will be used to identify breaches.
Penalties Drivers Could Face
From October 2025, taking selfies while driving can result in:
- Up to $1,078 in fines in some states.
- Four to six demerit points depending on jurisdiction.
- Immediate licence suspension for extreme or repeat violations.
- Increased penalties in school zones and high-risk areas.
State rules vary slightly, but all are aligned under the National Road Safety Strategy’s zero-tolerance approach to phone-related driver distraction.
Why the Change Was Introduced
Road safety authorities say driver distraction is a growing cause of serious crashes. The rise of social media and in-car content creation has worsened the problem, with some drivers prioritising photos over safe driving.
Federal data shows mobile phone use while driving reduces reaction times by up to 50 per cent, increasing collision risk. By adding selfie-taking to the dangerous driving category, officials hope to prevent fatalities and injuries caused by split-second lapses in attention.
How Detection Will Work
Police patrols and AI-powered mobile detection cameras will focus on catching drivers holding phones in positions consistent with selfie-taking. Infrared imaging will allow detection both day and night, even through windscreens and tinted glass.
Footage captured will be reviewed to confirm a breach before issuing penalties, minimising false accusations.
Exceptions to the Rule
The update does not ban all phone use in vehicles—hands-free operation for navigation or music remains allowed. However:
- Phones must be secured in a legal cradle.
- Hands-free activation must be done without touching the handset while driving.
- Taking photos or videos by hand while in control of a vehicle is prohibited.
Public Reaction and Road Safety Goals
Reaction to the rule is mixed. Road safety advocates welcome the tougher stance, saying it’s essential to address distraction dangers. Some motorists see it as overreach, arguing short phone use is harmless. Authorities counter that even brief loss of focus can cause serious accidents.
The policy is part of Australia’s broader road safety goal to reduce fatalities by 30 per cent by 2030, with tighter enforcement on dangerous driving behaviours.
Advice for Drivers
To avoid penalties and stay safe:
- Keep your phone out of reach while driving.
- Use approved car mounts for navigation.
- Pull over safely before taking photos or using social media.
- Remember that even in slow traffic or at lights, the rule applies.
With enforcement already underway in several states, drivers using their phones to take selfies run the real risk of losing their licence under the new 2025 traffic laws.