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Parking
Parking rules are designed to stop vehicles from parking where it would be dangerous or inconvenient for others.
On this page
Checks for parking
Before getting out of your vehicle you must check your mirrors and blind spots for pedestrians, bicycles or other vehicles.
Before leaving your parked vehicle you must ensure that:
- The parking brake is on
- The gears are engaged either in first gear for downhill, reverse for uphill. Automatic vehicles should be left in park.
If you are more than three metres away from your vehicle you must:
- Remove the key out of the ignition
- Lock all doors and windows if there is no one in the vehicle.
General parking rules
You must not stop your vehicle (that is, bring it to a stop and either stay with the vehicle or leave it parked) in the following circumstances:
- Double parked (that is in the road alongside a car that is parked)
- On or across a driveway (unless dropping off or picking up passengers for no longer than 2 minutes)
- On or across a footpath
- On a median strip or traffic island
- On motorways
- In a clearway
- On footpaths and nature strips
- At a BUS STOP or within 20m before and 10m after a BUS STOP or between a BUS ZONE, TAXI STAND or TAXI ZONE signs
- In a safety zone or within 10 metres before or after a safety zone
- Within an intersection
- In a slip lane
- On or within 20m (before) or 10m (after) a pedestrian crossing, marked foot crossing or children’s crossing (unless a sign allows you to park there)
- Within 20m of an intersecting road at an intersection with traffic lights unless a sign allows you to park there
- Within one metre of another vehicle parked in front or behind
(does not apply when angle parking) - Within 10m of an intersecting road at an intersection without traffic lights unless a sign allows you to park there (see image)
- Within three metres of any double centre lines
- Within three metres of an Australia Post letter box unless dropping off or picking up passengers or mail (see image).
- Within 20 metres before and 10 metres after a bus stop (see image).
- On or within 20 metres before and 10 metres after a children’s crossing or pedestrian crossing (see image).
- Within 10 metres before and three metres after a marked foot crossing with traffic signals.
- Within one metre of a fire hydrant, fire hydrant indicator or fire plug indicator.
- On a railway level crossing.
- Within 20 metres before and after a railway level crossing (see image).
When you are parking on a hill or a curve outside a built up area, make sure that someone coming over the hill or around the bend can see your car from at least 100 metres away.
Parallel parking
This is the usual way to park unless signs tell you otherwise.
You must park in the same direction as the adjacent traffic and parallel and as close as possible to the kerb.
You should be entirely within any marking lines and at least one metre from any other parked vehicle.
Angle parking
Angle park at the kerb if indicated by signs or marking lines.
Always park at an angle of 45 degrees unless a sign or road marking indicates differently.
Always park your vehicle in the same direction as shown on the sign. When a sign does not give a direction you must park front to kerb.
Motorcycle parking
You must not park your vehicle between these signs unless it is a
motorcycle. However, you may stop to drop off or pick up passengers.
motorcycle. However, you may stop to drop off or pick up passengers.
Accessible parking
Only vehicles transporting a current Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit holder can park in areas displaying this sign. The MPS permit must be displayed in the parked vehicle. MPS permit holders must comply with the conditions of use of the MPS permit.
Where these signs appear within a Taxi or loading zone MPS permit holders may be exempt.
See Mobility Parking Scheme for more information
Parking restrictions
If you park in places such as clearways or no parking zones, you may restrict traffic flow and create danger for other road users and residents. You must obey all parking signs.
Hourly parking
These signs mean that in certain areas you may park at the kerb for the time shown on the sign between certain hours and on particular days.
No parking
You must not stop for more than two minutes in a No Parking area. You must remain in or within three metres of the vehicle.
Hours of operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.
Mobility Parking Permit holders are allowed to park for up to five minutes
No stopping/no standing
These signs mean that in the area in the direction of the arrow you must not stop your vehicle at any point on the road or kerb, unless there is a medical or other emergency.
Sometimes a no stopping area is indicated by a solid yellow edge line.
Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.
Arrester bed and safetyramp
Safety ramp and arrester bed areas are used by heavy vehicles in cases of mergency such as brake failure. They are usually located where there are steep gradients.
Drivers must not drive on these areas unless necessary for safety.
Pay parking
Parking signs may indicate meter, ticket or coupon parking. You may park at the kerb for the length of time shown on the sign provided that you pay he required charge. You cannot park for longer than the length of time shown on the sign.
Resident parking
If you are parking in a particular area and have a valid Parking Permit for that area displayed on your vehicle and the sign indicates that you are exempt, you may park at the kerb without time restrictions or paying any charge.
Restricted parking areas
Restricted parking areas are used in large public areas that usually have a limited number of entry and exit points, such as Darling Harbour and Homebush Bay.
You must not stop or park your vehicle, between the signs RESTRICTED PARKING AREA and END RESTRICTED PARKING AREA, except in a parking station or in a marked parking bay according to the directions on the bay or on the signs.
Special Event Parking
Special event parking areas are used near major sporting or entertainment venues during special events.
You must not stand or park your vehicle within the hours of operation unless you have a parking permit exemption.
Clearway and special event clearway
A clearway is used to improve traffic flow and safety during peak periods.
You must not stop your vehicle at the kerb between these signs during the times shown unless there is a medical emergency. Buses, taxis and hire cars may stop at the kerb to pick up or set down passengers.
Special Event Clearways can operate any day of the week and carry exactly the same parking fine and towing fee as if you were parked in a clearway.
A broken yellow line is also used to indicate a clearway.
Taxi and bus zones
Taxi zone
This sign means that in the direction of the arrow or arrows you are not allowed to stop your vehicle unless it is a taxi. Some taxi zones have times shown on the sign.
You are allowed to stop your vehicle in these taxi stands at times other than those shown on the sign.
Bus Zone
This sign means that in the direction of the arrow or arrows you are not allowed to stop your vehicle unless you are driving a bus.
Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.
Loading and works zones
Loading zone
Only drivers of vehicles principally constructed for carrying goods may park their vehicle in a loading zone.
These vehicles may stop for up to 30 minutes if they are being loaded or unloaded.
A station wagon or a three-wheeled goods vehicle may stop for up to 15 minutes.
If you are driving any other sort of vehicle you may only stop to pick up or set down passengers at the kerb.
Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.
Works zone
This sign means that a driver must not stop in a works zone unless the driver’s vehicle is actually engaged in construction work in or near the zone. Any vehicle may stop to pick up or set down passengers.
Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.
Truck zone
You must not park or stop at the kerb during the hours shown on the sign unless driving a truck over 4.5 tonnes GVM that is dropping off or picking up goods.
Any type of vehicle may stop to set down or pick up passengers at the kerb.
Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.
