What Emergency Vehicles Do You Need to Stop For in Australia?

2025-08-26

Encountering flashing lights and sirens in your rear-view mirror can be stressful — especially if you’re not sure what the rules are. Whether you’re a new driver, an international visitor, or simply want a refresher, it’s important to understand which emergency vehicles you must give way to in Australia and what the penalties are if you don’t.

Which Emergency Vehicles Do You Need to Stop For?

Across all Australian states and territories, drivers must slow down, give way and/or pull over for the following:

🚓 Police vehicles (blue and red lights)
🚑 Ambulances (red lights)
🚒 Fire service vehicles (red or blue lights)
🚨 Other emergency response vehicles, which may also display purple lights

Additionally, first incident responders such as tow trucks and roadside assistance vehicles (yellow flashing lights) are included in many state road rules. The details vary depending on where you drive.

State-by-State Rules

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the rules differ:

Victoria – Drivers must slow to 40km/h when passing emergency or roadside assistance vehicles that are stationary or moving slowly.
New South Wales – Drivers must slow to 40km/h when the road speed limit is under 80km/h. On higher-speed roads, motorists must slow safely to a “reasonable” speed.
South Australia – Drivers must reduce to 25km/h when passing emergency or breakdown vehicles with flashing lights.
Tasmania – Similar to Victoria, drivers must slow to 40km/h near emergency vehicles, but on high-speed roads (over 80km/h), motorists must slow as safely as possible.
Queensland – Drivers must give way and slow down when passing or approaching emergency and incident response vehicles.
Western Australia – Motorists must slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, with penalties applying for failing to give way.
ACT & Northern Territory – Rules vary but generally require slowing to 40km/h (ACT) or pulling over safely (NT) when emergency lights are activated.

What Are the Penalties?

Failing to give way to emergency vehicles can be costly, with fines and demerit points differing across the country:

Victoria – Up to $1,015 fine
NSW – Up to $2,200 fine
Queensland – Between $389 and $500 plus three demerit points
South Australia – $530 fine plus three demerit points
Western Australia – $300–$400 fine plus three to four demerit points
Tasmania – Up to $4,100 fine depending on severity
Northern Territory – $100 fine plus levy
ACT – Between $384–$544 plus three demerit points

Key Takeaway for Drivers

No matter where you’re driving in Australia, the golden rule is to slow down, pull over if safe, and always give way to emergency vehicles. Doing so not only keeps you safe, but also ensures first responders can reach people in need quickly.

At Tynan Motors, we’re committed to keeping our community safe on the road. Whether you’re buying your first car, upgrading your family SUV, or maintaining your work vehicle, understanding the rules around emergency services is an important part of safe driving.