Parking rules and signs
Parking rules exist to improve traffic flow and provide safe, efficient and equitable access for all motorists.
Fines can be issued to motorists who do not comply with parking and road rules. See below for information on common parking infringements and how to avoid them.
Please note that not all parking rules and signs are included below. For information on all parking rules and signs, see the Road Rules 2019 and the Local Government (Highways) Act 1982.
Common parking rules
Loading zones
Road Rule 179 - Stopping in a Loading Zone
Offence Code: Stop in a loading zone or Exceed time in a loading zone
Loading Zones are provided for commercial vehicle loading or unloading only, for a maximum of 30 minutes (other conditions may also apply). Eligible vehicles must display the full name and address of the registered operator. Passenger vehicles cannot stop in a loading zone, even if loading or unloading.
The sign indicates a loading zone exists in the direction of the arrow/s.
No stopping
Road Rule 167 - Stopping in a No Stopping area
Offence Code: Disobey No Stopping
A vehicle must not stop in a No Stopping zone for any reason or any length of time. Passengers must not be picked up or set down in this area. No Stopping zones exist to maintain safety and traffic flow.
This sign indicates a No Stopping zone in the direction of the arrow/s.
Expired voucher / voucher not displayed
Local Government (Highways) Act 1982 - no valid voucher
Offence Code: Expired voucher / voucher not displayed
In some off-street carparks, a voucher must be displayed to show that payment has been made for parking. Where a sign says "VOUCHER", you must pay for parking, while also abiding by the time limit on the sign. The vehicle must not remain parked in the zone beyond the time period for which payment has been made, even if that period does not exceed the maximum parking time displayed on the sign.
For example, "2P VOUCHER" = 2 hour time limit pay for parking at the voucher machine. To obtain a voucher, go to the nearest voucher machine and follow the instructions. The voucher must be displayed clearly on your vehicle's dashboard.
Expired meter
Local Government (Highways) Act 1982 - Meter expired
Offence Code: Expired meter
If a sign says "METER" or "PAID AREA", you must pay for parking either at the meter or via the EasyPark app, while also abiding by the time limit indicated on the sign. The vehicle must not remain parked in the zone beyond the time period for which payment has been made, even if that period does not exceed the maximum parking time displayed on the sign.
Time starts as soon as you stop in the bay and you must vacate both the parking bay and zone when the maximum time limit is reached. Making extra payments (known as 'feeding the meter') will not reset the time limit.
The example sign indicates that the maximum length of stay is 30 minutes between 9 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday. During those times, payment must be made to adequately cover the length of stay, up to a maximum stay of 30 minutes.
Exceed maximum time limit on a parking meter
Local Government (Highways) Act 1982 - Parked for period longer than indicated
Offence Code: Exceed maximum time limit on a parking meter
A vehicle may be parked only for the period of time displayed on the relevant sign. In this example, 1/2P indicates a maximum length of stay of 30 minutes. The word "METER" indicates that payment is required via a meter or by using the EasyPark app. Time starts as soon as you stop in the bay.
A vehicle must vacate both the parking bay and zone when the maximum time limit is reached. Making extra payments (known as 'feeding the meter') will not reset the time limit.
The example sign indicates that the maximum length of stay is 30 minutes between 9 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday. There are no parking restrictions outside of those times.
Parking in excess of time allowed
Road Rule 205 - Parked for period longer than indicated
Offence Code: Parked in excess of time allowed
A vehicle may park only for the indicated period of time, represented by a number, immediately followed by the letter "P". For example, "2P" = 2 hour maximum stay within the parking zone. Time starts as soon as you stop in the zone and vehicles must vacate both the parking bay and zone when the maximum time limit is reached.
The example sign indicates free, maximum 2-hour parking from 7 am to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday.
Clearways
Road Rule 176 - Stopping on a clearway
Offence Code: Stop on a clearway
Clearways improve traffic flow at the busiest times of the day. You cannot stop your car between clearway signs during the times specified on the sign.
Outside of the times specified on the signs, the other signed parking restrictions apply.
The example sign indicates there is a clearway from 4 pm to 6 pm Monday to Friday in the direction of the arrow/s.
Children's crossings
Stopping your vehicle on or too close to a children's crossing may mean that a child entering the crossing can't see or be seen by an approaching car.
When a children's crossing is in operation (i.e. when the flags are displayed) you must not stop:
- on a children's crossing
- within 20 m before the crossing
- within 10 m after the crossing.
This means that even stopping to let a child out or pick a child up is an offence.
These restrictions do not apply when flags are not displayed and the crossing is unattended.
However, if there is also a 'No Stopping' sign at the approach to the crossing, you must obey it at all times.
Intersections
Parking your vehicle too close to an intersection can endanger pedestrians and other drivers by blocking their view of the traffic, and by restricting other drivers' turning space.
A driver must not stop in an intersection or on a road within 20 m of an intersection with traffic lights.
A driver must not stop in an intersection or on a road within 10 m of an intersection without traffic lights.
This rule does not apply if you are parked in a marked parking bay controlled by a parking meter.
Yellow lines
A yellow line at the edge of the pavement or adjacent to the gutter indicates that you are not permitted to stop your vehicle for any amount of time, even if you do not leave the vehicle.
Parking correctly on a road
When parking on a two-way road you must park the vehicle facing the direction of travel and parallel to the left-hand side. You must get the left wheels of the car as close to the kerb as you can and, if there are no marked parking bays, leave at least one metre between you and the cars in front and behind.
When parking on a one-way road you must park the vehicle facing the direction of travel, parallel and as near as possible to the far left or far right side of the road unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign.
You must also park a vehicle at least three metres from a continuous dividing line (single or double) or dividing strip unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign.
You must also leave three metres of road alongside the vehicle that is clear for other vehicles to pass unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign.
If there are marked parking bays on the road you must only park within the marked lines, and you must not park partly in and partly out of parking areas.
Stopping across driveways
You must not stop on or across your own or another person's driveway, or so close to the driveway that you obstruct a vehicle from driving in or out.
Stopping on a footpath, bicycle path, nature strip or painted island
You are not allowed to stop any part of your vehicle on a footpath, bicycle path, nature strip or painted island. Parking even two wheels on a footpath can cause a hazard for pedestrians who are forced to walk on the roadway.
Median strips (dividing strips)
Median strips are areas that run down the centre of a road to divide the two lanes of traffic. You are not allowed to park on median strips unless a sign expressly permits it.
Permit zones
Permit zones are restricted for permit holders only. These are usually reserved spaces for long-term parking.
Transport Access Scheme members, residential parking permits and vouchers do not authorise persons to park in permit zones.
Residential parking zones
If parking signs say Authorised Residents Vehicles Excepted the area is free for use by any member of the public for the time limit but an eligible resident with a permit can park in the zone for as long as they wish.
There are a number of residential parking areas that are clearways during specific peak times. Infringements will not be withdrawn if a residential permit holder remains parked in a clearway.
View more information on residential parking.
Common parking signs
Parking restrictions differ across the municipality, including the CBD. Please remember to always check the parking signs, no matter what time of the day or night. Some signs apply all the time, while others may apply only during certain times.
If a permissive parking sign states "METER" then you must pay for the time you remain parked in the bay at the parking meter allocated for that zone. The meter may be in front of or behind your vehicle. The number on the footpath and the arrow will indicate the bay number and direction of the appropriate parking meter.
You may not stay on a parking meter for longer than the maximum time allowed, as indicated by the permissive parking sign.
We use symbols on parking signs and unnecessary words have been removed. Larger letters and numbers indicate the times, days and parking arrangements that apply. A green capital "P" stands for "parking", with the adjacent number indicating the maximum time limit for that zone. Therefore, "1P" means a maximum parking time limit of 1 hour applies.