It looks like curtains for this Lexus GS owner’s sneaky strategy to avoid paying tolls.
Footage shared by Dash Cam Owners Australia shows a distinctive blue GS driving along a Sydney toll road with a black curtain covering their number plate.
As soon as they pass under a toll gantry and head out of sight of the number plate detection cameras, the Lexus driver drops the curtain – likely via the use of a remote control – and reveals their number plate.
In New South Wales, the penalty for using a Class A vehicle without correctly fixed or displayed number plates is $562 and three demerit points. Take this to court and you could face a larger penalty of north of $2000.
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According to Transport for NSW, if you don’t pay a toll by the due date, you’ll be issued a final toll notice that typically includes an additional administration fee of around $20. Don’t pay this, and you’re facing a $190 fine for non-payment.
After this, you’re looking at overdue fines, and if these aren’t paid, drivers can lose their licence or registration, and toll operators may refer outstanding amounts to debt collectors.
Per the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017, vehicles in NSW must have number plates permanently fitted in an upright position parallel to the vehicle’s axles, and no more than 1.3 metres above ground level.
Their numbers must be clearly visible from any point up to 20m away, within an arc of 45 degrees from the surface of the plate above or to either side of the vehicle.