11 places you can’t park

Posted 6 November, 2017 Jane Woodhams

Parking seems pretty straight forward, but there are a surprising number of laws that govern where and when you can leave your car. We look at 11 places you can’t park to help you become a parking pro.  

At bus stops

While it’s no surprise that bus stops are reserved for – as the name suggests – buses, you may not realise the law specifically says how much of a gap is needed when parking nearby. Legally, you can’t park within 20m on the approach side, or 10m on the departure side of a bus stop. In busier areas, there could be signage marking an area out as a bus zone, which may require a different distance, so always check for signs. FINE: $93, or $127 in a bus zone  

In bike and bus lanes

While most drivers know we can’t drive in a bike or a bus lane, how about parking? It’s pretty straight forward: you can’t park in a bus or bike lane during the times they’re signed for use. It’s not just parking that’s illegal. Stopping of any kind, including to drop off or pick up passengers, is against the law too. FINE: $263 (bike lane) or $261 (bus lane)  

Near a solid white centre line

Before you squeezed into your parallel parking spot, you probably checked you weren’t parking next to any yellow lines. But, it’s not just the amber kind you need to look out for – be aware of white lines too. There needs to be a 3m gap between the side of your car and any solid white line in the middle of the road (see picture below). FINE: $68  

Too close to cars

So you’ve finally managed to manoeuvre your car into a tight parallel park and you’re ultra-pleased with yourself because you’ve squeezed your way into what most would deem an impossible space – leaving mere millimetres between you and the cars in front and behind. Success! Well, actually, that’s not the case. If parking bays aren’t marked, you must leave at least 1m between you and the other cars. FINE: $68  

On a nature strip

How many times have you driven past a car that’s at least half parked on a nature strip, with two wheels straddling the kerb? It might be a convenient spot to park – especially if proper spaces are in short supply or the road is narrow – but it’s actually not allowed. The Australian Road Rules specifically say you can’t park on a nature verge, footpath, shared path or dividing strip, unless there’s a sign saying otherwise. FINE: $95  

On the wrong side of the road

Just like you can’t drive on the wrong side of the road, you can’t park there either. So when parallel parking on a road, you must be facing the same direction as moving traffic. That means if it’s a two-lane road, you need to park as near as practical to the left side. If it’s a one-way street, you can park on either side. So the black car in the picture below is breaking the law, as it’s facing the wrong direction. FINE: $68