Guide to driving with your pet cat or dog in the car

Taking your furry friend out for a spin can be a lot of fun (unless it’s to visit the vet, in which case, they might disagree).

Here are some things you should keep in mind when travelling with your pet in the car. 

Get a Car Insurance quote 

Laws about travelling with pets in Australia

Before you even think about bundling Buddy into the backseat, it’s crucial to know all the road rules. Rules and regulations differ from state to state, as do the fines and demerit points incurred from not following them. But there are some general ones you should follow Australia-wide:

• You can’t drive with an animal in your lap.
• An animal shouldn’t impede you from driving in any way.
• Motorcycle riders can’t ride with an animal between the handlebars and the rider.
• Animals should be seated or housed off in an appropriate area within the vehicle.
• If you have an animal in the back of your ute, they need to be safely restrained in a cage or via a tether.
• You can’t ‘lead’ an animal from a moving vehicle, including a bike.

For more specific rules based on where in Australia you’re driving, you’ll need to check the relevant traffic authority:

• Transport for NSW (TfNSW)
• VicRoads
• Queensland Department of Transport and Roads
• South Australia Driving and Transport
• Access Canberra 
• Western Australia Department of Transport
• Northern Territory Driving and Transport
• Transport Tasmania

Why you should restrain your pets

According to the RSPCA, 5,000 dogs are injured or killed each year in Australia as a result of jumping or falling from a moving car.

Even if you keep the windows shut, you and your pet aren’t in the clear because if the car jerks, your pet could be injured bouncing against hard surfaces in your car.

Even in the best situation, an unrestrained pet poses a distraction for the driver.

What happens if my pet causes an accident?

If you and your pet are involved in an accident or your pet distracts you while driving, it’s likely that you’ll be considered at fault. Whether or not you’d be covered by your GIO Comprehensive Car Insurance policy, would depend on the facts and circumstances of the incident, and whether they fall within the policy terms. If your claim is accepted, you’ll probably need to pay an excess.

Explore GIO Car Insurance

It is always better to practise safe driving with pets in the car. So before you head out on an adventure with your four-legged friend, be sure to get an appropriate restraint so you’re all safe on the road.

Use the right restraint

There are various ways to restrain your dog or cat in the car – but carriers and seat belt attachments are popular.

Carriers

A carrier is a small cage you place in the boot or backseat of your car. Secure the cage with a seatbelt or harness so it doesn’t slide around. You should also ensure that it’s on a flat surface, and avoid putting it too close to a window if you’re worried your pet will get overwhelmed by the sight of the world speeding by.

Consider adding blankets to the carrier to make sure it’s nice and cosy. Just make sure there’s plenty of space for your pet to stand up, turn around, and get comfortable.

Seat belt attachment

If your pet is well-behaved and confident in the car, a seat belt attachment can be a more flexible option. It’s designed to clip into your existing seatbelt and then attach to your dog or cat, allowing them a bit more freedom to move without putting them in harm’s way. There are many dog seat belt attachments on the market in Australia, so you’re never out of options.

Don’t leave your pet alone in a parked car

The inside temperature of a parked car can quickly shoot up as much as 70 percent within minutes on a hot day. So, never leave your pet alone in a parked car, even if the outside temperature doesn’t seem too harsh.

Ute safety for dogs

Driving with a dog in the back? Please take some extra precautions.  

Secure your dog with a specialised restraint and harness or quick-release collar. The RSPCA has various ute-specific restraints to keep your mate safe. Never secure your dog with choke collars. They could potentially strangle your dog if you brake suddenly or go over a large bump.

The ute restraints should be long enough for the dog to easily sit and lie down, but not so long that they can lean out the side of the ute.

Alternatively, place your dog in a cage that’s secured to the ute.

Don’t forget to secure tools or equipment sitting in the bed of your ute so they don’t collide with your dog.

You should also be aware of how hot the metal ute tray can get. Add mats or blankets on hot days so your dog doesn’t burn its feet.

Read more:

• A guide to reading your car insurance PDS
• 10 must-have accessories for your car
• What to do if you’ve had a car accident

General Insurance

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.