√Is it illegal to leave a note on someone’s car?

You want to tell someone they’re a bad parker by leaving a note on their windscreen, but are you allowed to? We find out.

If you consider yourself a good driver, it’s likely you’ve felt frustrated when encountering less competent motorists on the road.

Whether it’s someone who’s parked across your driveway, left their car alarm blaring or blocked access for pedestrians, you may feel it’s your civic duty to reprimand them via a note on their windshield.

Recently, several media outlets published articles claiming a new road rule had been introduced making this practice punishable by law – and potentially grounds for a $1100 fine.

However, no legitimate road authority was referenced in the coverage.

So, Drive contacted several road authorities to find out. Is it really illegal to leave a note on someone else’s car?

Strictly speaking, no, the act of leaving a note on someone else’s car is not illegal, unless the contents of the note are particularly abusive, or it is accompanied by damage to the vehicle.

“From an ACT perspective, this would be near impossible to enforce,” an ACT Policing spokesperson told Drive.

Meanwhile, a Victoria Police spokesperson said: “It all depends on the circumstances and the contents of the note. It would have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.”

Additionally, a Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said: “I can confirm this isn’t a Queensland law.”

Victoria’s Department of Transport also wasn’t aware of any road rule pertaining specifically to leaving a note on someone else’s car.

Transport for NSW, meanwhile, said: “We are not aware of any relevant NSW road law which would apply.”

Of course, intentionally damaging or defacing someone’s car could result in penalties.

Additionally, depending on the nature of the note, you could be liable under public indecency or obscenity.

In Victoria, for example, the Summary Offences Act prohibits someone from, “writing, drawing, exhibiting or displaying obscene language or threatening abusive or insulting words” and “using profane indecent or obscene language or threatening abusive or insulting words”.

With that in mind, it’s best to keep your handwritten note free from profanity and focus on constructive criticism, rather than abuse.

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