Driving with dogs: What you need to know and what cars are best

Victorian road rules and laws for driving in cars with dogs

Can my dog travel in my car? 

In Victoria, dogs can travel in the cabin of your car, in the back of a station wagon or SUV vehicle, or tethered or caged on back of ute or trailer. It is illegal, however, to put dogs in the boot of a sedan type car.

Does my dog have to be restrained in the car? 

There are no road rules about securing animals inside a vehicle while driving, but it is safe practice to adequately restrain them. In the event where a car has to brake quickly or is involved in a collision, there is a significant risk that an unrestrained animal could be injured or injure a fellow passenger.

Can my dog sit on my car's front passenger seat? 

Although it’s not illegal, it’s unsafe for your dog to sit in the front passenger seat. If your car's airbags deploy, they could seriously injure your dog on impact. It's best to secure them with an appropriate seatbelt or restraining device in the backseat.

Can my dog sit on my lap while I’m driving? 

No. VicRoads says that you may not drive a vehicle with an animal on your lap. 

Can my dog travel in the back of a ute or in a trailer? 

Yes, dogs can be transported on the back of a ute or trailer, but the law states that they must be appropriately tethered to prevent them from falling or moving off the tray, or being injured by the movement of the vehicle. There is an exception in place for dogs being used to move livestock.

It's also the law that you must provide your dog access to an area of insulating material protecting it from contact with the metal surface when outside temperatures are at or above 28°C.

Is it legal for my dog to lean its head out the car window? 

It's not illegal for your dog to lean its head out the window, but Animal Welfare Victoria advises that this practice should be discouraged. Debris on the road may fly up and hit your dog, causing serious injury. Dirt particles could also enter your dog's eyes, ears or nose, resulting in injury or infection.

Can I leave my dog alone in a parked car? 

This becomes an issue in the warmer months. It is illegal to leave an animal unattended inside a car when outside temperatures are at or above 28°C because of the risk of heat stress and potential death. Regardless of the temperature, it's best to park in the shade and provide water when leaving your dog in the car. You should also make sure your dog has adequate ventilation when the car is turned off, and be mindful of pet theft and vehicle theft.

If you're in the market for an electric vehicle, Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y feature Dog Mode, which maintains a comfy cabin temperature for your pet and displays the temperature on the touchscreen display to inform passersby that your dog is safe. There's also a mobile app so you can actively monitor the temperature inside your car. 

Can I put my dog in the boot? 

No. The Department of Agriculture says putting a dog in the boot of a sedan-type car is illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019.

Can I have a dog on my motorcycle, bike or electric scooter?

Transport Victoria says you cannot ride a motorcycle with a dog between you and the handlebars. However, working farmers can ride with a dog for up to 500m.

If a dog is tied to your bike or electric scooter, you must not ride it. 

Best cars for driving with dogs

How do I choose a car to suit my dog?

The perfect vehicle to transport a dog depends on the size of your pooch.

Small, toy and miniature breeds like Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds and Miniature Schnauzers can easily fit inside a medium sedan or small hatchback car, such as a Tesla Model 3, Kia Rio, Kia Cerato, Kia Picanto, or Toyota Corolla.

Medium dog breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies and British Bulldogs may need a small compact SUV such as the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX or Nissan Juke.

Large dog breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks will need a medium-sized SUV or station wagon such as the Mitsubishi Outlander, MG HS, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4 or BYD Atto 3.

Giant dog breeds like Great Danes, Bullmastiffs and Newfoundlands will need a large SUV or station wagon to travel, like the Toyota Kluger, Toyota Landcruiser 300, Toyota Landcruiser Carrier, Toyota Prado or Jeep Wrangler.

Are SUVs good for large dogs?

If you have a medium to large dog, a medium SUV or large family car is a practical option. The bigger the dog, the bigger the SUV required. Cargo space is usually adequate and it will have a high roof for taller dogs. Consider installing a grille between the cargo area and the back seat to prevent the dog from moving around the cabin, which may distract the driver. Be mindful that these vehicles may not be suitable for older dogs that can't jump, and you may need to buy a dog vehicle ramp. 

Are station wagons suitable for dogs?

A station wagon is a great alternative to an SUV, as it’s lower to the ground, meaning your dog doesn’t have to jump up as high to get into the cargo area. And more often than not, there is more space in a station wagon cargo area than in an SUV.

Must-have car accessories for driving with dogs

What’s the best way to restrain a dog on a car trip?

There are many types of dog restraints. You can use a crate that is metal and mostly used for larger dogs, or one made from soft fabric for smaller dogs. There’s also a variety of harnesses and leads that connect to the car’s seatbelt fasteners to keep your dog secure. 

My dog travels on my ute tray, what restraint should I use?

Whatever restraint you use, ensure that the leash is shorter rather than longer. A long lead may enable your dog to jump off the vehicle, which would be very dangerous.

Dogs can be injured from falling or jumping off moving vehicles due to inappropriate tethering. Your lead or chain should be short enough to prevent your dog from reaching the sides of the vehicle or getting onto the cabin, but long enough to allow your dog to sit and lie down. Use swivels to attach the tether to the vehicle and the dog's collar or harness to prevent tangling.

If you prefer to use a cage, make sure it's big enough to not cramp your dog and well-insulated from sun, rain and wind. The cage should also be made from mesh rather than solid material for ventilation, and placed directly behind the cabin to decrease wind and dust exposure.

I’ve got leather seats, how do I protect them?

You can cover the seat with a blanket or waterproof car seat cover. You can also get dog booties, which stop nails from scratching upholstery.

My dog is too old or big to climb into my car, what do I do?

You may need to buy a dog ramp with a non-slip surface for older or infirm dogs to climb into your car.

What’s the best way to remove pet hair from cloth seats?

There are specialist vacuum attachments to remove pet hair.

My dog is coming on a road trip, what do I need to take?

Always carry a bowl and water to help keep your dog hydrated. There are plenty of collapsible and portable bowls available. Don’t forget wet-wipes in case your dog gets carsick and poo bags for cleaning up after your dog en route. You may even want to keep these supplies for your dog in your vehicle permanently as part of your car emergency kit.

Best dog-friendly road trips

The best dog-friendly road trips are ones where you can stop off at dog-friendly locations like off-leash beaches, dog parks, and walks.

Wherever you go, plan ahead and check park, beach, and hike information online and on park signage before taking your four-legged friend walking. Luckily, dogs are allowed on-lead in many of Victoria's metro, regional and reservoir parks. Some of the best dog parks in Victoria include Alfred Nicholas Reserve in Sherbrooke (on-leash), Brackenbush Unleashed in Lakes Entrance (off-leash), Sebastopol Dog Park in Ballarat (off-leash), and Seagull Paddock Dog Park north of Geelong (off-leash). Dog-friendly beaches like Warrnambool Main Beach, Flinders Beach on the Mornington Peninsula, Inverloch Beach in South Gippsland are also a big hit with dog owners.

If you'd like a nature walk or hike with your dog, state forests in Victoria are open to dogs on leads, except Steavensons Falls Reserve and Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. You can also tackle the Macedon Ranges Walking Track, the Woowookarung Regional Park, the Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve, or the rugged Cape Conran Coastal Park. Many regional parks also allow camping with your dogs.

It's important to note that dogs aren't allowed in most national parks in Victoria, which includes any beaches that form part of the park. You can, however, drive through national parks with your pets remaining inside the vehicle. For dog-friendly national parks, head to:

• Great Otway National Park - dogs are permitted on-lead at the Otway Forest Park, St George River Track, Lake Elizabeth walking tracks and camping areas, Johanna Beach, Southside Beach, Addiscott Beach, Surf Coast Walk, Ocean View Walking Track, Ironbark Gorge Walking Track, Ironbark Basin Picnic Area, and Point Addis to Anglesea via beach.
• Greater Bendigo National Park - dogs are permitted on-lead at Bendigo Regional Park and State Forests, and on specified roads and trails in the One Tree Hill area.
• Kinglake National Park - dogs are permitted on-lead in the Frank Thomson Reserve.
• Lake Eildon National Park - dogs are permitted on-lead in the Jerusalem Creek Campground.
• Heathcore-Graytown National Park - dogs are permitted on-lead in the McIvor Range area.

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