Funeral Procession Rules in Australia: What Drivers and Mourners Need to Know

Detailed Explanation

This page covers the Australian road rules and customs for funeral processions. For how a procession is organised and the etiquette that applies anywhere, see how does a funeral procession work.

Most Australian road rules are based on the national model Australian Road Rules, but each state and territory adopts them in its own legislation and can add rules of its own. Funeral processions are one of those added areas. There's no national rule, and the position depends on the state or territory the procession is driving through.

New South Wales and Queensland: interrupting a procession is an offence

In New South Wales, rule 79-1 of the Road Rules 2014 says a driver must not interfere with or interrupt the free passage of a funeral cortege or authorised procession, or of any vehicle or person apparently forming part of it. The maximum penalty is 20 penalty units. The NSW Government's advice to drivers is to not interrupt a funeral or official procession, and to slow down and stay behind it.

Queensland has a similar rule in section 300E of its road rules regulation. A driver must not, without a reasonable excuse, interfere with or interrupt the free passage of a funeral procession or any vehicle or person apparently forming part of it. The maximum penalty is also 20 penalty units. The dollar value of a penalty unit is set separately by each state and changes over time, so check the current figure with the state if it matters.

Other states and territories

Not every state and territory has an equivalent rule. Where there isn't one, letting a procession pass is a courtesy rather than a legal duty, though it's one most Australian drivers extend without being asked. Ordinary road rules about changing lanes, merging and driving safely still apply, so forcing into a gap in a procession can be an offence under those rules anyway. For the exact position where the funeral is being held, check that state or territory's road rules or ask the funeral director.

What these rules don't do

The New South Wales and Queensland rules only restrict other drivers. They don't give procession cars a right of way. Anyone driving in a procession still has to:

• stop at red lights and stop signs, and follow give-way rules
• keep a safe following distance, since the road rules require a driver to stay far enough behind the car in front to stop safely
• follow directions from police directing traffic, as all drivers must.

This is a real difference from parts of the United States, where some states let a procession follow its lead car through a changing light. If the procession is split by a light in Australia, the funeral director or lead car will normally slow down or pull over briefly so everyone can catch up.

Headlights, high beams and hazard lights

Low-beam headlights in daylight are the usual sign that a car is part of a procession. It's a convention, not a legal requirement, and the funeral director will usually ask drivers to turn them on before setting off.

Other lights are more restricted. Under the Australian road rules, as adopted in each state (Queensland's section 218, for example), a driver must not use high beams within 200 metres of a vehicle ahead travelling in the same direction or of an oncoming vehicle. In a procession, that's nearly always the case. Hazard warning lights are only allowed in specific situations, such as a stopped or slow-moving vehicle that is obstructing traffic, or driving in hazardous weather. Some funeral homes supply a small flag or sign for procession cars instead.

Customs you may see

Many Australian processions include small personal touches arranged with the funeral director. The hearse might drive slowly past the family home, a workplace, a sports club or another place that mattered to the person who died before heading to the cemetery or crematorium. Motorcycle clubs sometimes ride with the hearse for a member, and some funeral homes offer horse-drawn or vintage hearses. It's also common to see the funeral director walk a short distance in front of the hearse as it leaves the service before getting in.

None of these are required. They need planning with the funeral director, because a detour adds time and some venues run to tight schedules.

Things to Consider

• Know which state the drive passes through. The rules for other drivers differ between states. In border towns, a procession that crosses into another state moves from one set of rules to another.
• Plan a route that keeps the group together. A funeral director can suggest a route with fewer traffic lights or right turns across busy roads, which matters more in Australia because processions have no right of way through intersections.
• Talk about a drive-past early. If the family wants the hearse to pass a meaningful place, mention it when arranging the funeral so the timing can be built into the day.
• Ask about large processions in advance. If a very large group is expected, the funeral director can advise on parking, traffic management and whether local police need to know.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming the procession has right of way. Procession drivers who follow the car ahead through a red light are breaking the road rules, even in New South Wales and Queensland.
• Driving too close to keep the line tight. The safe following distance rule still applies. It's better to be separated briefly and catch up than to risk a collision.
• Using hazard lights or high beams by default. Both are restricted by the road rules. Low-beam headlights are enough.
• Pushing into a procession because the gap looks big enough. In New South Wales and Queensland it can be an offence, and elsewhere it's unsafe and disrespectful. If you notice a line of cars with headlights on moving slowly behind a hearse, stay behind it or let it pass.