Aussie driver stunned by cop’s question about tiny detail in his car: ‘Keep your car as legal as you can’
A tradesman has issued a warning to motorists after he was stopped by police and asked about a missing gear stick sticker.
Nathan Swenson, who works as a carpenter, was driving his Toyota Hilux when he was asked to stop for a random breath test in Brisbane last Wednesday.
Mr. Swenson posted a video on TikTok last week describing the confusing moment an officer asked him about the sticker after he failed to see it on the gear knob.
‘He walks through the luxury, comes back to the car… looks inside and says ‘where’s your H sticker?’
“I thought, ‘Brother, what’s an H sticker?’
The officer explained that he was referring to the sticker on the gear knob that shows the shift pattern.
The stickers are often placed on top of the gear lever of manual transmission cars to indicate the different gear movements.
The gear pattern is shaped like the letter H, from which the sticker gets its name.
Nathan Swenson (pictured) was stunned when police stopped him for a random breathalyzer test in Brisbane last week and questioned him about the sticker
Mr. Swenson then pointed to the stick attached to the console between the driver’s seat before allowing him to drive away.
He urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles comply with all traffic regulations.
“Make sure your car is as legal as possible… even for small things you will get caught,” he said.
‘I was going to take that sticker off when I bought the car, but I thought, no, I’ll leave it on, because I know that one day… [they’re] “I’m going to reprimand you for that.”
Hundreds of commenters were shocked when Mr. Swenson was questioned about this minor detail.
“It’s amazing what they can give you these days,” one person wrote.
“You’re the second person I’ve seen stand out recently. I’ve never heard of that before,” another person wrote.
‘I guess I’ll just have to get a sticker. I haven’t had a shift pattern button for almost a year,’ added a third.
Police asked Mr Swenson where the sticker was before pointing to the object, which was stuck to a console between the driver’s seat (stock image)
The stickers (pictured) are often found on top of the gear lever in manual transmission vehicles to indicate the various gear movements
The confrontation led to speculation that it is illegal not to have a suitable sticker on the gear lever.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said Yeah It is no longer punishable if the sticker on the gear lever is missing.
A spokesperson for the Queensland Transport and Main Roads Department confirmed there was no need to install the sign.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the department and Queensland Police for further comment.
The Australian Design Rules, a set of government-issued vehicle safety regulations, require gearshift knobs to be marked.
The decals are available from major auto parts stores including Repco and Supercheap Auto.