Tasmania

There is widespread confusion about what constitutes "non-essential travel" during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown period, after a young Victorian learner driver was fined for embarking on a driving lesson with her mother, only to have the fine withdrawn days later. Hunter Reynolds, a 17-year-older learner driver from Victoria, made headlines when she was penalised $1652 by Victoria Police for taking a drive around Melbourne with her mother serving as supervising driver.

Queensland will become the Australian state with the third-harshest punishment for drivers parking in disabled bays after introducing new rules that double the current fine. Under new proposed legislation, motorists caught committing the inconsiderate offence will be fined $533, twice the existing penalty of $266.

Queensland's LNP Opposition has called for increased penalties for drivers caught tossing cigarette butts in an effort to match harsher punishments in place in other states, where litterbugs can be fined up to $25,000 and even face jail time.

With technology continuously evolving, it's sometimes hard to keep up with laws and the way they adapt to modern technology. Reader Andrea contacted CarAdvice asking whether it is illegal to use an Apple Watch while operating a motor vehicle, similar to the way it would be using a mobile phone while driving. A: Excellent question, Andrea. We have an Apple Watch in the office and have often asked ourselves the same question.