All about parking

Parking rules are designed to stop vehicles from parking where it would be dangerous or inconvenient for others.
Parking control signs are regulatory signs. Drivers must obey the direction on them and it is an offence to disobey them. Fines apply for parking illegally and in some situations, demerit points also apply (Following fines commenced from 1 July 2010).


NO STOPPING AND NO PARKING SIGNS

NO STOPPING - This sign means 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 operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only. (Fine $201 ). Disobey No Stopping sign within SCHOOL ZONE: Fine $258 and 2 demerit points.

NO PARKING - You must not stop on a length of road to which a No Parking sign applies unless you are dropping off, or picking up, passengers or goods. You must not leave the vehicle unattended (you must remain in or within three metres of the vehicle) and you must complete the dropping off or picking up of passengers or goods within two minutes . (Fine $86 ). Hours of operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only. Disobey No Parking sign within SCHOOL ZONE: Fine $143 and 2 demerit points .

Note:

If a parking control sign indicates that it applies on a particular day(s) of the week, the sign does not apply on a public holiday unless information on the sign indicates that it does.

It is a defence to any parking offence if you stop:

•  to avoid a collision
• if you vehicle is disabled
• you stop to deal with a medical or other emergency
• you stop because your condition or the condition of a passenger
• your vehicle requires you to stop in the interest of safety
• you stop to comply with some other traffic law.

In all cases you are only permitted to stop for as long as is necessary.

STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS AND CROSSINGS

You must not stop your vehicle in the following circumstances (bring it to a stop and either stay with the vehicle or leave it parked):

Within an intersection

Within 20 metres of an intersecting road at an intersection with traffic lights unless a sign allows you to park there. (Fine $201 )

Within 10 metres of an intersecting road at an intersection without traffic lights unless a sign allows you to park there. (Fine $201 )

STOPPING ON OR NEAR A CROSSINGS

You must not stop your vehicle in the following circumstances:

Within 20 metres before and after a railway level crossing or on a railway level crossing. (Fine $258 and one demerit point )

Within 10 metres before and three metres after a marked foot crossing with traffic signals (except at intersection). Within 10 metres before and three metres after a marked bicycle crossing lights. (Fine $258 )

Within 20 metres before and 10 metres after a children's crossing or pedestrian crossing. (Fine $258 and 1 demerit point ). Disobey the rule within SCHOOL ZONE: Fine $344 and 2 demerit points .

STOPPING ON CLEARWAYS, FREEWAYS AND IN EMERGENCY STOPPING LANES

You must not stop your vehicle in the following circumstances:

On motorways and emergency stopping lanes

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.
A broken yellow line is also used to indicate a clearway.
If your vehicle is left in a clearway, it may be towed away to a nearby street where it may lawfully stand.
( Fine $201 and towing cost).




STOPPING IN ZONES FOR PARTICULAR VEHICLES

LOADING ZONE - Only drivers of vehicles principally constructed for carrying goods may park their vehicles 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 operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only. (Fine $143 ).

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 a dropping off or picking up goods. Any type of vehicle may stop to set down or pick up passengers at the kerb. Hours of operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only. (Fine $143 ).

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 operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only. (Fine $143 ).

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. (Fine $143).

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. (Fine $201 ). Disobay the sign within SCHOOL ZONE: Fine $258 and 2 demerit points .

MAIL ZONE - You must not stop in a mail zone unless your vehicle is an Australia Post vehicle. Where times of operation are shown on the sign, the sign only applies at those times. (Fine $86 )

OTHER PLACES WHERE STOPPING IS RESTRICTED

You must not stop your vehicle in the following circumstances:

On a bridge/ram/structure or in a tunnel/underpass ( Fine $143 ).
On a crest or curve outside a built-up area ( Fine $86 ).
Within one metre of a fire hydrant, fire hydrant indicator or fire plug indicator ( Fine $86 ).
On a median strip or traffic island ( Fine $86 ).
Stop on painted island ( Fine $143 ).
On footpaths, bicycle path or shared path and nature strips ( Fine $86 ).
Disobey bicycle/motorcycle parking sign ( Fine $86 ).

Across a driveway or footpath. (Fine $86 ). Disobey the rule within SCHOOL ZONE: Fine $143 and 2 demerit points .

Within 20 metres before and 10 metres after a bus stop. (Fine $197 ). Disobey the rule within SCHOOL ZONE: Fine $258 and 2 demerit points .

Within three metres of an Australia post letter box unless dropping off or picking up passengers or mail. (Fine $86 ).

Double parked - that is in the road alongside a car that is parked. (Fine $201 ). Disobey the rule within SCHOOL ZONE: Fine $258 and 2 demerit points .

BUS LINE & TRANSIT LANE - You must not stop or park in a bicycle lane, tram lane, bus lane or transit lane unless you are driving a public bus, taxi or private hire vehicle and are dropping off or picking up passengers. Where times of operation are shown on the sign, the sign only applies at those times. If your vehicle is left in a bus lane or a transit lane, it may be towed away to a nearby street where it may lawfully stand (Fine $201 ).

DISABLED PARKING - Do not park in areas displaying this sign unless the vehicle you are driving displays a current mobility parking scheme (MPS) card and is carrying a disabled person. You must also comply with the conditions of use of the MPS card. (Fine $430 ). Reproduce/copy/deface/alter/destroy/fail to return expired/revoked scheme authority: Fine $516 .

PERMISIVE PARKING SIGNS

You may park a vehicle for the period indicated on a permissive parking sign. A number immediately to the left of the letter P indicates that you must not park on the length of the road, or in the area, continuously for longer than the number of hours shown. Where times of operation are shown on the sign, the sign only applies at those times (Fine $86 ) 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. There is an offence provision for parking longer than indicated on or with the sign - $86 .

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 direction 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.

(Parking in these areas for longer than permitted: Fine $201 ). 




PARALLEL AND ANGLE PARKING

PARALLEL PARKING - This is the usual way to park unless signs tell you otherwise. You must park parallel and as close as possible to the kerb (Fine $86 ). It is illegal to park facing the traffic the wrong way (Fine $143 ). You should be entirely within any marking lines and at least one metre from any other parked vehicle. On a one-way street, you may also park on the right hand side of the road.

ANGLE PARKING - Angle park at the kerb if indicated by signs or marking lines. Always park your vehicle in the same direction as shown on the sign (Fine $86 ). When a sign does not give a direction you must park front to kerb. Motorcycles may angle park anywhere it is legal to park, even if a sign shows parallel parking. Make sure that your motorcycle does not stick out further than any parallel parked vehicle.

Within one metre of another vehicle parked in front or behind (does not apply when angle parking) (Fine $86 ). Within three metres of any double centre lines.

OTHER PARKING RULES

Before leaving your parked vehicle check that:

• The handbrake is on
• The gears are engaged either in first gear for downhill, or reverse for uphill. Automatic vehicles should be left in PARK
• That you take the key out of the ignition if you leave your vehicle
• All windows are closed and doors locked. You must do this if you are moving more than 3 metres from the vehicle and there is nobody 16 years of age or older staying with the vehicle

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

Before opening a vehicle door on a roadway, you must ensure that you don't endanger road users or impede traffic.

 

From: http://www.auburn.nsw.gov.au/page.aspx?id=805&