Silly or strange laws are often called "weird laws," "dumb laws," "legal oddities," or "legal curiosities," referring to outdated, useless, humorous, or seemingly absurd laws that still technically exist but are rarely enforced, often originating from past societal norms or misunderstandings. Examples include prohibitions on things like wearing brown shoes in certain places or having too many potatoes, highlighting the quirky side of legal history.
Other obscure NSW laws include fines for splashing mud on bus passengers, using the car horn as a farewell gesture, unnecessarily revving the vehicle, and driving with an animal on your lap, each with a maximum penalty of $2,200.
Don't carry too many potatoes in WA
Dating back to the Great Depression era, it's illegal in Western Australia to carry over 50kg of potatoes in your car unless you work for a “potato corporation”. Don't believe us? Check out section 22 of the Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946!
Many many websites claim, without any kind of evidence to support it, that it is illegal to wear hot pink pants after midday on a Sunday in Victoria. There is, however, nothing we could find in the legislation – old or new – to indicate that this is fact. So you may wear your hot pink pants anytime you like!
"Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi" is a cheer or chant often performed at Australian sport events. It is a variation of the "Oggy Oggy Oggy, oi oi oi" chant used by both football and rugby union fans in Great Britain from the 1960s onwards. It is usually performed by a crowd uniting to support a sports team or athlete.
This quirky rule comes from the Rural and Regional Adjustment Regulation 2000 (specifically related to the Marketing of Potatoes Act 1946 (WA)), and it was designed to support the monopoly of the now-defunct Potato Marketing Corporation of Western Australia.
Not all stories of strange laws in Virginia are true. Some websites claim it is against the law to tickle women in Virginia but not men. However, these websites fail to offer citations to back up this claim. Searching the Code of Virginia for the word "tickle" does not bring up any results suggesting this law exists.
Laws to abide by in Australia
No, it is not illegal to sleep in your car. As long as you are safely and legally parked, and you are sober and not under then influence of drugs then there is no problem with taking a nap in your car. In fact, it can be the safest thing to do if you are drifting off.
While the law does not provide any specific legislation to govern whether it is an offence to flash your vehicle's headlights to warn oncoming traffic, if you are hindering a police officer in executing their duty, using high beams illegally or dazzling a fellow motorist, you could be committing an offence.
25 Year Rule:
This scheme allows private and business importers to apply to import vehicles that are made 25 years ago or more. There are rules within this scheme that allow only standard unmodified vehicles to enter. We can help with advice and information on any vehicle you may be interested in bringing home.
The 5 Most Frequently Broken Laws
Here's a more detailed look at some unusual laws: Singapore: Chewing gum is illegal, with exceptions for dental or nicotine gum. It's illegal to walk around naked if you are visible to the public, even in the privacy of your own home. Switzerland: It's illegal to flush the toilet after 10 pm in an apartment building.
It's an offence to beat or shake your carpet or rug in the street in London. The Metropolitan Police Act 1839 strikes again! You can shake your doormat out, but only before 8 am. It's actually illegal to be found drunk in the pub.
If someone swallows a large amount, it can irritate the stomach. Causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and flushing. For most people, symptoms resolve on their own with no need to see a doctor or go to an emergency room.
19 Weird Australian Laws