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Parking

Parking

Parking rules are designed to stop vehicles from parking where it would be dangerous or inconvenient for others.

The information given in this section is a guide only and is subject to change at any time without notice.

This information is also available in the Road Users Handbook.

You can access the full text of the NSW Road Rules on the NSW Legislation website.

NSW Fines Review

Fines must strike a balance between deterrence and fairness. However, NSW’s parking fines are higher compared to some interstate and overseas jurisdictions.

The NSW Government has announced a major reform of parking fines. Ten of the most common parking fines, when issued by the NSW Government, have been reduced by 25 per cent in the first step of this major overhaul. Find out more

NEVER leave children or animals in a parked vehicle

You must not leave children alone in a vehicle. A baby left in a hot car will suffer from dehydration and may even die. A toddler can release the handbrake or set fire to things with the lighter.

Do not leave your pet animals in a closed car because they can suffer or die just as a child can.

Checks when 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
  • 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.

When driving away

Before moving from a stationary position at the side of the road or a median strip parking area, you must signal for at least 5 seconds, and check mirrors and blind spots.

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 or footpath
  • On a median strip or traffic island
  • On motorways
  • In a clearway
  • On footpaths and nature strips
  • Between BUS STOP, 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
  • Within 20 metres of an intersecting road at an intersection with traffic lights 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 1 metre of another vehicle parked in front or behind (does not apply when angle parking)
  • Within 10 metres of an intersecting road at an intersection without traffic lights unless:
    • A sign allows you to park there or
    • The intersection is a T-intersection without traffic lights, where you are permitted to stop along the continuous side of the continuing road
T-way diagram
  • Within 3 metres of any double centre lines
  • Within 3 metres of an Australia Post letterbox unless dropping off or picking up passengers or mail
  • Within 20 metres before and 10 metres after a bus stop
  • On or within 20 metres before and 10 metres after a children’s’ crossing or pedestrian crossing
  • Within 10 metres before and 3 metres after a marked foot crossing with traffic signals
  • Within 1 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.

Parking on hills or curves

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. On a one-way street, you may also park on the right hand side of the road.

You should be entirely within any marking lines and at least one metre from any other parked vehicle.

Diagram of parallel parking - cars are parked along the kerb in the same direction, and at least 1 metre away from each other.

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.

Diagram of angle parking - cars are parked at a 45 degree angle against the kerb and within the marking lines.
Example of a sign reading P MOTORCYCLES ONLY in green text on a white background, and an arrow indicating the direction of the zone.

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.

Motorcycles may angle park anywhere it is legal to park, even if a sign shows parallel parking. Make sure, however, that your motorcycle does not stick out further than any parallel parked vehicle.

Example of an accessible parking sign, showing a stylised wheelchair symbol in blue on a white background.

Accessible parking

Only vehicles transporting a current Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit holder can park in areas displaying this sign. The permit must be displayed in the parked vehicle. Permit holders must comply with the conditions of use of the permit.

Where these signs appear within a taxi or loading zone, permit holders may be exempt.

SeeMobility Parking Scheme for more information about applying for a permit. 

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.

Fines apply for parking illegally and in some situations, demerit points also apply.

Three types of hourly parking signs. All parking signs have green text on a white background, with an arrow indicating the direction of the zone.

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.

1P means that you may park at the kerb for one hour during the times displayed on particular days

1P means that you may park at the kerb for one hour during the times displayed on particular days

2P means you may park at the kerb for two hours during the times displayed on particular days

2P means you may park at the kerb for two hours during the times displayed on particular days

1/2 P means you may park at the kerb for 30 minutes during the times displayed on particular days

1/2 P means you may park at the kerb for 30 minutes during the times displayed on particular days

Example of a No Parking area sign, showing a black letter P in a red circle with a diagonal strike-through, on a white background.

No parking

You must not stop for more than two minutes in a No Parking area. You must remain in or within 3 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 5 minutes in a No Parking area.

Examples of NO STOPPING and NO STANDING signs. NO STOPPING signs have white text on a red background. NO STANDING signs have red text on a white backg

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.

Examples of SAFETY RAMP and ARRESTER BED signs. These have black text on a white background, and an arrow indicating the location of the ramp or bed.

Arrester beds and safety ramps

Safety ramp and arrester bed areas are used by heavy vehicles in cases of emergency 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 the 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.

Examples of RESTRICTED PARKING AREA sign, which has white text on a red background and may have additional instructions in black text on a white backg

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.

Example of a special event parking sign, showing hour restrictions between specified dates.

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.

Example CLEARWAY and END Clearway signs. Hours of operation are shown in black text on a white background.

Clearways and special event clearways

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 and taxis may stop at the kerb to pick up or set down passengers.

Examples of special event clearway signs, showing the details of the clearway in black text on a white background.

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. See Kerb lines for more information.

Example TAXI ZONE sign, with white text on a red square, shown on a white sign with arrows indicating the direction of the zone.

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.

When you hail a taxi, make sure you are not in a NO STOPPING or a BUS ZONE as taxis must not stop in these places.

Example BUS ZONE sign, with white text on a red square, shown on a white sign with arrows indicating the direction of the zone.

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.

Example LOADING ZONE sign, with white text on a red square, shown on a white sign with arrows indicating the direction of the zone.

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.

Example WORKS ZONE sign, with white text on a red square, shown on a white sign with arrows indicating the direction of the zone.

Works zone

This sign means that a driver must not stop in a works zone unless the 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.

Example TRUCK ZONE sign, with white text on a red square, shown on a white sign with arrows indicating the direction of the zone.

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.Share this page: