Does anyone know if it's against the law to drive with your surfboard within the car? I haven't got roof racks yet.

My car is a 2 door smallish type of car, and it placed from tthe boot across the back of the passengers seat, not touching the windscreen, Just don't want to get fined or lose licence points. I'm in NSW. Thanks

Jeez! I wouldn't want to live in a place where it's illegal to carry a surfboard in your car, so I sure hope not!!

I got pulled over as a young bloke for having the nose poking out the back windows... (about 12" or so of a short board). So you may be ok so long as none of it is protruding outside of the vehicle and it is not a flight risk.

I travel with my surfboard across the front seat all the time - even though I have roof bars. More secure in the car when I am away from it.

Only if you get caught

What's so special about a surfboard? People put all sorts of stuff in their car. Whenever I go sailing, the front passenger seat is laid flat and I have all my sails, masts, boom, etc. going all the way to the front of the car. I assume there is a law that says anything you have in your car must not impede your ability to control the vehicle, (e.g. don't have rolls of toilet paper stuffed under your legs), but I doubt that surfboards would rate a special mention. I know dogs need to be restrained, and I once had a ball roll under the brake pedal at an inopportune time.

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Harrow said..
What's so special about a surfboard? People put all sorts of stuff in their car. Whenever I go sailing, the front passenger seat is laid flat and I have all my sails, masts, boom, etc. going all the way to the front of the car. I assume there is a law that says anything you have in your car must not impede your ability to control the vehicle, (e.g. don't have rolls of toilet paper stuffed under your legs), but I doubt that surfboards would rate a special mention. I know dogs need to be restrained, and I once had a ball roll under the brake pedal at an inopportune time.

How the hell did your dogs balls roll under the brake ????

Mmmmmm and what was so inopportune about the moment?

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Craig66 said..
How the hell did your dogs balls roll under the brake ????

Mmmmmm and what was so inopportune about the moment?

HQ wagon with bench seats and no centre console. He used to roll all over the floor. Red traffic light.

Seriously, if a cop made this into a fine, I would assume- actually, know that he didn't surf, tell him he might need some form of assessment by a man in a white coat and obviously get a a fine..... but would still leave the boards in the car! If surfboards in cars are illegal then coins in the cup holders should be also!

Unfortunately the front seat doesn't go back far. So I can't lay the seat down. My car is a mini cooper, not the original tiny one. Can't take the headrest off either. Man this car sucks at the moment.

What is wrong about getting roof racks?

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bobin said..
Seriously, if a cop made this into a fine, I would assume- actually, know that he didn't surf, tell him he might need some form of assessment by a man in a white coat and obviously get a a fine..... but would still leave the boards in the car! If surfboards in cars are illegal then coins in the cup holders should be also!

Unless he were in Victoria.
Going for a surf. Fine.
Breathing fresh air. Fine.
Coffee at your neighbours house. Fine.
Mowing your neighbour's lawn. Fine.
And here's the kicker. Soon it may be illegal to think about doing any of these.
www.spectator.com.au/2020/09/daniel-andrews-plan-for-indefinite-detention-and-more/

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bobin said..
If surfboards in cars are illegal then coins in the cup holders should be also!

I had a schoolmate that used to toss spare change onto the passenger foot pan in his car. In the end, there must have been a couple of hundred dollars there. One day he rolled his car and the thing he remembers most about it was being hit in the head by all the coins flying around the cabin.

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Craig66 said..
What is wrong about getting roof racks?

2 door Mini Cooper is what I'm struggling to fit a 7 foot board in. This is tricky as soft roof racks don't fit. Permanent ones are costly. Just not sure what to do. Catch the bus with the board lol

One day boys you will realise that the love of the ocean and all of it's sports will override any use to look cool and will buy a van ????????

^^^ you read my mind.


Louis, you bought a $40K hatchback and you reckon racks are expensive....?

It's actually against the law in Angola to have boards in the car next time you're there. I've been harassed twice and told to put on the roof. The cops have a lot of automatic weapons there so you don't argue.

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Mark _australia said..
^^^ you read my mind.


Louis, you bought a $40K hatchback and you reckon racks are expensive....?

No I didn't spend $40k on the car. It's my dads car that I drive. Plus it's 15 years old.

You can have anything you like in your car. If it makes it unsafe for you to drive then you can be busted, as you should.


www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rtr2013333/s50s.html

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ROAD TRANSPORT (GENERAL) REGULATION 2013 - REG 50S

Driver to have sufficient control

50S Driver to have sufficient control

A person must not drive a motor vehicle on a road--(a) if the vehicle is constructed, equipped or loaded, or if anything is attached to the vehicle, in a manner that prevents the driver from having a view of traffic on either side of the vehicle and in all directions in front of the vehicle that enables the driver to drive the vehicle safely, ...

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louis20 said..

Mark _australia said..
^^^ you read my mind.


Louis, you bought a $40K hatchback and you reckon racks are expensive....?

No I didn't spend $40k on the car. It's my dads car that I drive. Plus it's 15 years old.

Get your dad to buy a van

Problem solved

Wow, young new forum user asks a question about carrying a surfboard in his car,
and gets bagged out by the grumpies for how much his car costs and what type of car it is and just trying to look cool.

Yes Louis, you'll be fine, its not against the law, in NSW anyway, to carry your board in the car. In some countries it is though, not that any of us will be able to go OS for awhile yet Cant wait till we can though Hanging out

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louis20 said..as soft roof racks don't fit.

Are tek screws an option?