It is not illegal to wear headphones while driving in Victoria. However, Victorian road authorities still deem this behavior dangerous and warn it can result in prosecution in certain cases. For example, if a driver involved in a crash was found to be distracted by headphone use, this could result in penalties.
While you may feel more focused when you are in the zone with your tunes and Airpods in, it's mostly illegal to wear them while operating a vehicle. There may be some exceptions where you can wear one in one ear, but this varies from place to place.
When driving, L and P plate drivers are not permitted to: Touch or operate a non‐mounted portable device in any way when driving; not even by using voice controls and regardless of whether the device is on or off, even when stationary but not parked^.
Although wearing headphones while driving is not explicitly illegal, the practice is dangerous and could result in prosecution if deemed to be the cause of an accident. A distraction, including wearing headphones emitting loud music while driving, could come under NSW Road Rule 297(1).
New South Wales
In NSW you can have your music playing directly into your ears while driving, so long as you don't break NSW Road Rule 291 (1), which requires a driver to have proper control of the vehicle. If you were booked for not having control of the car, you'd be looking at three demerits and a $481 fine.
No, with caveat that you don't communicate with them wirelessly. Devices allowed provided they obscure only one ear. No, but may run afoul of distracted driving laws. No, but may run afoul of distracted driving laws.
Although there is no set rule against wearing headphones while driving, it is important to consider the impact of peripheral noise on the driver on the road. Audio devices of any kind can detract from your ability to drive safely on the road and act as a huge distraction for all drivers.
Victoria. In Victoria you can smoke and drive if no-one in the car is under 18 years of age. If you smoke with a minor in the car, you risk a fine of $826.
Fully licenced drivers are permitted to use either system, and there are easy workarounds for L- and P-plate drivers: if you're phone is plugged in, don't have it visible. If you get pulled over, simply change the source or turn your radio off completely and hope the police officer isn't going to be difficult.
Hats and other head coverings
They must be adjusted so that your whole face is visible, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, including both edges of your face. There should be no shadows cast on your face. You may not wear any kind of hat or novelty wig.
The details for specific devices are linked below, but in general you cannot touch an unmounted portable device, such as a phone, tablet, laptop or any other portable device while driving.
Motorists caught driving distracted will receive penalties of four demerit points and a $555 fine. Under the rules, full licence drivers will not be able to touch an unmounted portable device, such as a phone, while driving - even if it is turned off.
you are on your full licence. you are making a phone call (not texting), or you are using the navigation system. the phone is properly mounted in the car. you are using a hands-free device properly (you do not need to hold or touch the phone).
California has a law that prohibits drivers and bicyclists from wearing headphones while operating their vehicles. California Vehicle Code 27400 states that no person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may wear earphones, earplugs or a headset that covers, rests in or is inserted in both ears.
AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation) aren't designed for use in water sports like swimming, or for showering.
The Law on Wearing Headphones While Driving
In the UK, it is not specifically illegal to drive while wearing headphones, but if the police believe a driver was distracted or not in full control of their vehicle, the driver could be stopped and penalised3.
Restricted licences holders including learner, P1 and P2 drivers and riders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding. This includes use of hands-free and Bluetooth functions.
Learner permit holders can drive any registered vehicle in New South Wales. P1 and P2 provisional licence holders must not drive a vehicle with a power-to-weight ratio higher than 130 kilowatts per tonne, if it has had a significant engine modification, or if other 'high-performance' classifications apply.
Restricted licence holders such as Learners and P-Platers are prohibited from touching their phones for this purpose, even if the phone is properly mounted.
"It is not illegal to drive barefoot or while wearing thongs, but there may be safety issues," an ACT Policing spokesperson told Drive. "Just because something isn't expressly illegal, it doesn't mean it's a good idea.
The state of Victoria does not have any law that says it is illegal to sleep or live in a vehicle, but like NSW, there are councils that may have specific laws regarding the regulation of it.
While it's illegal to drink alcohol while driving in Australia, no matter whether you're under the limit or not, Australia has no specific laws against eating or drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving.
There is no evidence to support this, other than the 'careless driving' argument. You should plan before you enter a roundabout and circling more than twice could be considered as careless driving.
If you're wearing headphones or earbuds for a prolonged amount of time, you should keep the volume around half the maximum or lower. The rule of thumb is if someone is standing within arm's reach, or is lying next to you when wearing headphones or earbuds to bed, they shouldn't be able to hear your music.
The short answer is: yes, the size of your headphones' driver has a specific influence on their sound quality. But that doesn't mean larger drivers always deliver better sound. Larger drivers can indeed generate louder sounds by moving more air particles.