While gender reveal parties have been generally limited to slicing a cake or popping a pink or blue smoke cannon, some car enthusiasts have taken to using their vehicles to officially announce the news.
Though burnouts are nothing new in Australia, the rise of burnout gender reveals – where a driver attaches a pack of blue or pink powder to their car’s tyres and sends the coloured smoke in the air – has risen in popularity over the past couple of years, largely due to social media.
In October 2024, a 29-year-old Victorian man had his Holden Commodore impounded after local police caught the hoon mid-burnout during his family's celebrations.
According to Victoria Police, the alleged offender was observed performing a burnout with blue smoke emanating from his sedan at his home in Carrum Downs in Melbourne's south-east.
While the illegal act is prevalent in Australia, it's worth noting the issue isn't just limited to local roads. When looking on social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, plenty of drivers have been caught on video performing burnouts at gender reveal parties throughout the years.
What's the fine for a car burnout?
Despite celebrating a wholesome family event, various state and territory police told Drive that the celebration is still illegal, no matter the occasion.
Depending on where you live, any offenders caught breaching the rules can face thousands of dollars in fines, vehicle impoundment and potential imprisonment.
A New South Wales Police spokesperson confirmed, “Burnout offences, even if under the guise of a 'gender reveal', are illegal in NSW”.
“Any person caught operating a vehicle in such a manner, regardless of circumstance, will be dealt with accordingly and likely face both a monetary and demerit point penalty with consideration given in other sanctions such as having their registration plates removed and their vehicles seized,” they added.
Offenders caught performing a burnout can face fines ranging from $410 to $618, depending on the severity of the offence. Additionally, each fineable offence carries a three demerit point penalty, as well as a potential court attendance notice.
In Victoria, state police told Drive, “Any acts of illegal, dangerous, and reckless driving on our roads that put innocent road users at risk will not be tolerated by Victoria Police. Anyone engaging in this kind of behaviour can expect to be investigated and held to account”.
Victorian drivers found to have violated hooning laws like burnouts can face a maximum fine of 240 penalty units valued at $47,280 in 2025.
Additionally, demerit points and license loss penalties can also be issued to offenders, and depending on the situation, a two-year prison sentence can also be handed out.
Victoria Police also have the authority to impound a hoon's vehicle for 30 days “regardless of who owns it and whether the driver is the registered operator”.
Queensland drivers caught engaging in hooning behaviour can be fined a maximum penalty of $6440 or one year imprisonment. Interestingly, the law also extends to participants or bystanders who either organise, participate, attend and/or film/photograph the event.
Depending on the offence, dangerous drivers who are caught hooning can be issued a $1250 fine, licence disqualification or imprisonment in South Australia.
The Department of Transport SA said police have the authority to clamp and impound a hoon's vehicle, and any offender caught interfering with a wheel clamp can face a $2500 penalty or a six-month stint in prison.
In Western Australia, “wilfully causing excessive noise [and] smoke” from a vehicle can lead to a $100 fine and three demerit points.
According to the Northern Territory government, a driver caught hooning for the first time will be fined $220 and three demerit points, while the vehicle will be impounded for 48 hours.
Second and third hooning offences in the NT can lead to losing your car for three to six months or even permanent forfeiture, respectively. Additionally, further monetary fines and imprisonment sentences can also be issued.
Tasmanian offenders caught violating state laws could face a maximum fine of $4040 or three months' imprisonment.
Finally, in the Australian Capital Territory, drivers found to be driving a vehicle that's "causing unnecessary noise/smoke" can be fined $272 or, depending on the severity of the offence, a $3200 penalty.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
