That Christmas-Light Car Trend? Here’s the Tynan Safety Check

If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably spotted the viral Christmas trend: cars wrapped in fairy lights, LED strips and enough sparkle to outshine the neighbourhood. It looks fun, it looks festive, and yep — it can be pretty intriguing and inspiring to watch.

But before you turn your car into a rolling Christmas tree, Tynan wants to make sure you’re doing it safely and legally this silly season.

Is it legal to drive with Christmas lights on your car?

In short: No. Decorative Christmas lights on the outside of a vehicle are universally banned across every Australian state and territory. 

Authorities say the reason is simple — extra lighting can be distracting, can dazzle other drivers, and can interfere with your vehicle’s required lighting (headlights, indicators, brake lights). 

Both NSW and Victoria road rules, for example, explicitly prohibit using any vehicle light that dazzles or is likely to dazzle another road user. 

What could happen if you get pulled over?

Police can stop you on the spot and issue a defect notice and/or fine. The penalty depends on where you are, but the range is wide:

• around $50–$100 in the Northern Territory or WA in some cases
• up to $3,300 in Queensland and the ACT for unauthorised or distracting lights
• up to about $2,200 in NSW, and similar levels in several other states

Even if someone gets a warning (it happens occasionally), the setup is still considered illegal for road use. 

Why the rules are so strict

Festive or not, the road rules focus on safety. Extra lights can:

• dazzle oncoming traffic
• distract other drivers, especially at night
• confuse your car’s signals if lights are the wrong colour or placed badly
• make your vehicle non-compliant with Australian Design Rules

The last thing any of us want at Christmas is a preventable accident.

The Tynan-approved way to join the fun

We’re not here to kill the vibe — we’re here to keep you safe. If you love the look, here are ways to do it without breaking the law:

✅ Use lights only when parked (not driving). Drive to your location without the lights on, then switch them on for photos, a charity event, or a driveway display. Stationary displays are fine — it’s the driving part that crosses the line.

✅ Choose non-lighting decorations for the road. Festive window decals, antlers, a Santa hat on the dash, or carsafe magnets can still bring cheer as long as they don’t block visibility or become a hazard.

✅ Keep required lights clear and unobstructed. Anything that covers headlights, tail lights, indicators, or number plates can also get you defected. 

If you’ve seen our festive Subaru display at Tynan Subaru Albion Park, you’ll know we love Christmas car decorations — and done the right way, they can be both fun and safe.

Merry, bright, and road-legal

At Tynan Motors, we’re all about Christmas spirit — just not at the expense of safety. So enjoy the sparkle, take the photos, share the fun online… but keep the lights off while you’re driving on public roads.

From the whole Tynan team: drive safe, stay festive, and have a ripper Christmas. 🎄🚗✨

Source: news.com.au