General Parking Rules and Parking Safety

What is the problem with parking on the footpath or nature strip in a built-up area?

Parking on footpaths is dangerous as it can force pedestrians to walk on the roadway putting them at risk of being hit by passing vehicles. It can also cause damage to footpaths and nature strips resulting in an uneven surface which can create trip hazards with the potential to cause serious injury to pedestrians.

What is the law about parking on the footpath or nature strip in a residential area?

In accordance with regulation 197 of the Road Rules,

(1) A driver must not stop on a bicycle path, footpath, shared path or dividing strip, or a nature strip adjacent to a length of road in a built-up area, unless—

(a)   the driver stops at a place on a length of road, or in an area, to which a parking control sign applies and the driver is permitted to stop at that place under these Rules, or

(b)   the driver is permitted to stop under another law of this jurisdiction.

What is the penalty for parking on a footpath or nature strip in a built-up area?

The penalty for parking on the footpath or nature strip in a built-up area is currently $320. The penalty for parking on the footpath or nature strip in a built-up area within a school zone is currently $410 and 2 demerit points.

Where can you park your car?

The driver of a motor vehicle may park their vehicle on a roadway close to and parallel to the curb and gutter providing they comply with any parking restriction signs.

A driver may park in the driveway within their own private property; however, drivers must not park on or across a driveway or prevent access to a property. This includes parking in their own driveway beyond the property boundary.

Who issues penalties for parking on a footpath or nature strip in a built-up area?

NSW Police or Authorised Council Officers may issue fines for offences under the Road Rules.

What is the problem with parking in the wrong direction of travel?

Parking in the wrong direction of travel is dangerous as the vehicle has to travel on the wrong side of the road exposing other road users to the risk of a head on collision. Also the vehicle may unreasonably obstruct the path of other vehicles.

What is the law about parking in the wrong direction of travel?

In accordance with regulation 208 of the Road Rules,

(2) the driver must position the vehicle to face:

(a) in the direction of travel of vehicles in the marked lane or line of traffic on, or next to, the part of the road where the driver parks; or

(b) if there is no traffic on, or next to, that part of the road—in the direction in which vehicles could lawfully travel on that part of the road.

(3) If the road is a two-way road, the driver must position the vehicle parallel, and as near as practicable, to the far left side of the road.

What is the penalty for parking in the wrong direction of travel?

The penalty for parking in the wrong direction of travel is currently $320. The penalty for parking in the wrong direction of travel within a school zone is currently $410 and 2 demerit points.

How should I park my vehicle on a public roadway?

The driver of a motor vehicle may park that vehicle on the roadway in the correct direction of travel and as near as practical to the far-left side of the road, (not on a nature strip or footpath) provided all other parking restrictions are complied with.

Who issues penalties for parking in the wrong direction of travel?

NSW Police or Authorised Council Officers may issue fines for offences under the Road Rules.

What Is the Problem with Parking A Caravan, Motorhome or Trailer (Long Vehicles) In A Built-Up Area?

Parking Long vehicles in residential areas often affects the availability of parking for residents and can cause street access issues resulting in an impact to resident’s amenity or safety.

What Laws Apply to Parking of Long Vehicles in a Built-Up Area?

Some caravans, motor homes and trailers may be considered heavy vehicles and/or long vehicles as defined by the Road Rules:

• A Long vehicle means a vehicle that, together with any load or projection is 7.5mtrs or longer.
• A Heavy vehicle is a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of over 4.5 tonnes.

Or

As defined by the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act as either:

• or a class 3 item means a motor vehicle.

In accordance with regulation 200 of the Road Rules,

(2) The driver of a heavy vehicle, or long vehicle, must not stop on a length of road in a built-up area for longer than 1 hour, unless the driver is permitted to stop on the length of road for longer than 1 hour by information on or with a traffic control device, or under subrule (2A), (2A–1).

In accordance with the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) regulation:

Owners of vehicles are responsible for making sure they are not left unattended (abandoned) on public land. They must not leave a registered vehicle in one place on public land for more than 28 days (if driveable) or an unregistered or undriveable vehicle in one place on public land for more than 15 days.

A vehicle that poses a danger to road users due to damage must not be parked on the road.

What Penalties May Apply?

In accordance with regulation 200 of the Road Rules:

The penalty for parking longer than permitted in a built-up area is currently $136. Or

In accordance with the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) regulation, penalties currently start at $660.

Who Issues Penalties for Infringements of Long Vehicle Regulations?

NSW Police or Authorised Council Officers may issue fines for offences under the Road Rules.

What Is the Problem with Parking a Heavy or Long Vehicle in a Built-Up Area?

Parking of Heavy and Long vehicles in residential areas often impacts the availability of parking for residents and can cause street access issues. Parking of Heavy vehicles in residential areas often leads to degradation of road surfaces, contamination of waterways by effluent discharge and washing of vehicles as well as noise complaints generated by the starting of heavy vehicles early in the morning.

What Is a Heavy or Long Vehicle?

As defined in the Road Rules:

• A Heavy vehicle is a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of over 4.5 tonnes.
• A Long vehicle means a vehicle that, together with any load or projection is 7.5mtrs or longer.

What is a Built-Up Area?

A built-up area is anywhere buildings, houses and streetlights are not over 100 meters apart.

What Is the Law About Parking of Heavy or Long Vehicles in a Built-up Area?

In accordance with regulation 200 of the Road Rules,

(2) The driver of a heavy vehicle, or long vehicle, must not stop on a length of road in a built-up area for longer than 1 hour, unless the driver is permitted to stop on the length of road for longer than 1 hour by information on or with a traffic control device, or under subrule (2A), (2A–1).

(2A) The driver of a heavy vehicle, or long vehicle, other than a bus, is permitted to stop on a length of
road in a built-up area for longer than 1 hour if, throughout the period when the vehicle is stopped
on the length of road, the driver is engaged in dropping off, or picking up, goods.

(2A–1) The driver of a heavy vehicle, or a long vehicle, is permitted to stop on a length of road in a built-up
area for longer than 1 hour if—

1. the driver is carrying out functions under the road transport legislation, or
2. the driver is complying with a direction given by a police officer or other person carrying out
   functions under the road transport legislation, or
3. the heavy vehicle or long vehicle is a bus.

What Is the Penalty for Parking Longer Than Permitted in a Built-up Area?

The penalty for parking longer than permitted in a built-up area is currently $136.