is it illegal to drive with the interior light on in australia

No, it isn’t illegal in Australia to drive with the interior light on; there’s no specific rule banning it.

But if that glow ruins your night vision or distracts you, police can still ping you for not having a clear view or proper control of the vehicle.

Think of it like eating soup while cornering: technically allowed, practically daft.

Use it briefly when stationary, or switch on a focused map light instead, and you’ll avoid both glare and unwanted attention.

State wording varies, but the gist is the same—common sense first, tickets avoided later.