Tourist Tips - Tasmania Police

While exploring the many possibilities that Tasmania has to offer, we want you to be able to relax and enjoy our many natural attractions.
By world standards Tasmania is extremely safe to travel around.
We want you to be able to enjoy your holiday experiences and share them with others, trouble free.

In an emergency situation, Police, Fire and Ambulance services can be contacted on the free call 3 digit number, 000 (Triple Zero).
Police assistance can be sought from your nearest police station, however, if you are uncertain of your nearest location, you can call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Crime Stoppers Tasmania has a 24-hour free call number, 1800 333 000, to assist in the solving of crime. Information can be given anonymously and you may be entitled to a reward.

While the overall crime rate is low in Tasmania, no one should be complacent about their valuables.
Most of our visitors tour Tasmania by car and/or recreational vehicles with many of our greatest attractions located in remote wilderness areas. Make sure you lock your vehicle at all times, place valuables out of sight and take wallets and purses with you.
When sightseeing, we recommend you take only sufficient money to cover your immediate needs and advise storing any remaining personal items of value in a secure location.

Extreme weather changes can occur rapidly in Tasmania. Walkers should ensure they are adequately prepared for extremes with emphasis being given to properly planning any trip, carrying the right equipment, and wearing the right footwear and clothing.
Have a contingency plan.
If you hire or carry a personal EPIRB it should only be activated in urgent situations.
Police encourage you to advise your intended trips to a friend, relative or to your current accommodation, and record your bushwalk in registers provided at the start and end of most walking tracks.

All motorists drive on the left side of the road.
A 50km/h speed limit applies to urban streets unless otherwise signposted.
The maximum speed limit is 100km/h unless otherwise signposted.
Wearing a seatbelt at all times is mandatory for drivers and passengers.
Drivers must carry their drivers licence and produce it to a police officer if requested. Overseas visitors must carry an English translation of their licence.
Motorcyclists and bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet and are advised to wear reflective clothing for increased visibility.
It is illegal to drive a vehicle while using a mobile phone. Please use a hands free device, or pull over safely to make or receive calls.
Many of our roads are narrow and winding, driving conditions may be different to what you are used to. Care and attention are advised, especially as we have many natural wonders to gaze at along your journey.

It is an offence to drive a vehicle when under the influence of alcohol or drugs (prescription or illicit).
You are breaking the law if you drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol level over 0.05%.
If you fall into any of the following categories, you will be breaking the law if you drive with any alcohol in your body
- Provisional, Learner or unlicensed drivers.
- Driving a vehicle with a gross mass exceeding 4.5 tonnes.
- Driving a vehicle designed and constructed to carry 13 or more adult passengers, including the driver.
- Driving a public passenger vehicle.
It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle with illicit drugs in your blood. Our officers are equipped and authorised to stop and test anyone they suspect of driving under the influence. If a test proves positive for the presence of a drug you may be charged and fined.

It is illegal to sell, lend, give or supply any tobacco product to, or for the use of, any child. Tobacco can only be sold to persons over 18 years of age.
Smoke-free areas in Tasmania were established under the Public Health Act 1997. It is not permitted to smoke within indoor public places, including offices, shopping centres, factories, hospitals, bars, gaming areas, restaurants, corridors, toilets, function rooms and movie theatres. There are penalties for people who smoke in smoke free areas.
Smoke-free vehicle laws ban smoking in vehicles carrying children under the age of 18. An infringement notice can be issued on the spot for the offence.

It is illegal to posses, sell, grow or import ICE, cannabis (marijuana), amphetamine (speed), heroin, ecstasy, cocaine and opium poppies.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 2001 provides comprehensive information on restriction, sale, supply and possession of poisons and restricted substances.

It is illegal to supply alcohol to persons under 18 years of age.
To drink or posses an open container of alcohol in a public street is illegal. This does not stop you enjoying a picnic in a park or on a beach where council by-laws permit.

To possess and use firearms in Tasmania, a Tasmanian firearms licence is required.
Firearms licences issued in other states and territories are only valid in certain circumstances in Tasmania. In order to ascertain whether a licence issued in another state or territory is valid, contact Tasmania Police Firearms Services.
Firearms cannot be purchased without a permit. Application details are available on the Firearms section of this website.
Failure to adhere to firearms legislation could result in firearms being seized by police, followed by prosecution. In Tasmania penalties of up to $5,000, two years imprisonment, or both, can be imposed for breaches of firearms legislation.