In a smartphone-centric world, driver distraction has been a prevalent issue in Australia in the past couple of years.
And while most drivers understand that using mobile phones is a serious offence, the rules surrounding the use of smartphone-related devices such as Apple AirPods while driving are unclear.
It’s almost becoming a common sight to see a spec of white in a driver’s ear while travelling on local roads, but is it actually legal to use Apple AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones while driving? Here’s what you need to know.
Can you wear AirPods while driving in Australia?
Yes and no, it depends on where you live. While there's no specific mention of Bluetooth devices including Apple AirPods in state and territory road rules – meaning it's technically legal to drive using them – there are specific restrictions and other laws which could make this behaviour illegal.
For example, in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, novice motorists such as learners and provisional drivers (P1) under 25-years old are forbidden from using any smartphone and related technology, including wireless headphones.
Even in Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT – where there are no specific age restrictions – authorities can still deem it an illegal offence if a driver is distracted by their Bluetooth device and causes an accident.
“There are no specific laws that ban wearing headphones while driving, although the police can still fine a driver if they believe the driver is not in full control of their vehicle,” an ACT Policing spokesperson previously told Drive.
Despite not specifically mentioning headphones in the road rules – the NSW state government sent out a social media warning in April this year, reminding drivers local laws still “require drivers to maintain proper control of their vehicle”.
“Having audio in your ear can distract from the road, hindering your ability to concentrate on driving safely or hear the sounds around you like horns and sirens,” it posted.
So before you start shuffling through songs, consider this a warning: using a smartphone while driving a car is considered a serious offence across all Australian states and territories and can lead to penalties.
You're better off queuing your favourites while you're parked and leaving the device secured and mounted.
Are Apple AirPods dangerous for drivers?
While road authorities continue to clamp down on drivers using their mobile phones, some experts believe current legislation loopholes regarding other related devices still pose a safety risk.
“I think the big thing to always think about when it comes to road safety is that legal doesn’t always translate into safe," Driver Safety Australia managing director Russell White told Drive.
“The problem [with wireless headphones] is that it robs you of your sensory capability and minimises your situational awareness. What you’ve done is taken away someone’s auditory senses, and you’re still getting some degree of [road] information from it."
Further compounding the problem is the rapidly evolving world of technology, where road authorities are falling behind in adopting these devices into new laws.
“What happens a lot of the time is that the technology just arrives, and it’s not until things have started to happen and we start seeing trends in crash risk. So, often the regulation is way, way behind the pace of technology,” White said.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
