Leaving Your Sunroof Open While Parked? Here's Why It Could Cost You a Fine

There’s nothing like a summer drive with the sunroof open, letting in that fresh breeze and a bit of sunshine. But if you’re planning a quick run into the shops and want to leave your sunroof cracked, you might want to think twice. While it can keep your car’s cabin cooler, leaving your sunroof open while your car is parked and unattended is actually against Australian road rules.

Across all Australian states and territories, there’s a regulation requiring drivers to “secure their vehicle after stopping.” Essentially, if you’re leaving your car and moving more than three meters away from it, you’re obligated to lock the doors and secure all windows—including the sunroof.

According to Queensland Transport and Main Roads, “Drivers must secure their vehicle before leaving it unattended. This means applying the park brake, removing the key, closing all windows, and locking the doors.” A sunroof, they confirm, is classified as a window, so it must be fully closed when you’re not in the vehicle. This rule aims to minimize theft and potential damage, protecting both your vehicle and its contents.

Penalties for leaving your sunroof open can vary by state. Queensland drivers face a $64 fine for non-compliance, but in other states, the definition of “closed” also comes into play. In New South Wales and Victoria, for instance, the law allows a window to be considered “secure” as long as it isn’t open by more than 2cm. So, if you leave your sunroof open wider than 2cm, you could incur a $198 fine in Victoria or a $136 fine in New South Wales.

Interestingly, while this rule applies to sunroofs, it doesn’t extend to convertibles. Despite the potential risk of theft or damage, leaving a convertible’s roof down is legal across Australia. However, Queensland Transport and Main Roads does suggest that convertible owners still close their roofs to avoid unnecessary risk.

So next time you’re out running errands, remember to close up your sunroof before you go. It’s a simple step that could save you from an unexpected fine and help keep your car secure.