Dog Car Safety Australia: Harnesses, Crates, and the Law

Is Your Dog Safe in the Car?

Millions of Australians travel with their dogs — to the beach, the park, the vet, or on road trips. But an unrestrained dog in a moving vehicle is a safety risk for the dog and everyone else in the car.

Here's what to know about dog car safety in Australia: the rules, the restraint options, and the most common car-related dangers.

What does Australian law say about dogs in cars?

Rules vary by state, so check your state's road rules and transport authority. In general:

• Every state: drivers can be fined if an animal on their lap or loose in the car stops them having proper control or a clear view.
• NSW: the road rules say a driver must not drive with an animal on their lap.
• Utes and trays: several states require dogs on an open ute tray to be restrained or enclosed so they can't fall or jump off. RSPCA groups also advise against unrestrained dogs on trays.

Beyond the law, an unrestrained dog can be thrown forward in a sudden stop or crash, injuring itself and passengers. A restraint protects everyone.

Restraint options: what works best?

Crash-tested harnesses

A car harness attaches to the seatbelt system and keeps your dog secured on the back seat. Look for harnesses with published crash testing. Not every "car harness" has been crash-tested, so check before you buy.

Crates

A crate secured to the vehicle (not just placed in the boot) is one of the safest options. An unsecured crate can move in a crash.

Boot barriers

Barriers keep dogs in the cargo area but offer little crash protection. Better than nothing for short trips.

Seatbelt tethers

Simple clip-in tethers are widely available, but most aren't crash-tested. Use with a proper harness, never attached to a collar.

Heat: the most dangerous car risk

Never leave your dog in a parked car in Australian weather. The inside of a car heats up far faster than the outside air, even on a mild day, and cracking a window doesn't make it safe.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include heavy panting and drooling, red or pale gums, vomiting or diarrhoea, and weakness, collapse or seizures. See our guide to heatstroke in dogs.

If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call 000 or your state RSPCA straight away.

Motion sickness

Some dogs, especially puppies, get carsick. Signs include drooling, yawning, whining and vomiting. Keep early trips short, keep the car ventilated, avoid feeding right before travel, and ask your vet about anti-nausea options for longer trips.

Road trip checklist

• ✅ Dog restrained in a crash-tested harness or secured crate
• ✅ Fresh water and a bowl
• ✅ Stops every couple of hours for a drink and toilet break, on lead
• ✅ Never left alone in a parked car
• ✅ ID on the collar, plus an AirTag in a waterproof holder in case your dog gets out at a rest stop (AirTag sold separately)
• ✅ Vet records and microchip number handy

Travelling further? See our interstate travel guide.