How to park legally

This example of a sign with time restrictions doesn't specify days it applies. This means the restriction of 1 hour parking applies every day, including public holidays.

Between 5 pm and 9 am, there is no time restriction in this spot.

This area is subject to different restrictions at different times. From 9 am to 5 pm every day, including public holidays, there is a restriction of 1 hour parking. The 1-hour time limit doesn't apply to permit holders for area 12,

Between 5 pm and 9 am, only permit holders can park in this area.

This example is a parking sign with time restrictions, in a permit area. These restrictions apply to drivers without a permit for the nominated area.

Drivers without a permit can park here for 2 hours during the times specified. Outside those times, any driver can park until the restrictions start again. A permit holder can park here all the time with no time restrictions.

The time restrictions don't apply on public holidays, no matter what day of the week it is.

This sign indicates parking is restricted to permit holders of area 13 only. This restriction applies from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Between 6 pm and 8 am the following day, all day Sunday and on public holidays, there are no restrictions on who can park here or for how long.

This area is restricted to area 9 permit holders only, all day, every day. Only a vehicle with a residential permit for the area indicated on a sign like this can park.

This is a "No stopping" sign. These signs mean you can't stop or park your car in, or partly in this area, for any reason. Dropping off or picking up passengers or goods in a 'No stopping' area is not allowed.

This sign indicates a 'no stopping' zone within specific times to the left. To the right of the sign is 'no stopping' all the time.

Between 8 and 9.15 am and 3 and 4.15 pm on school days, the area to the left is 'no stopping' for any reason. This includes dropping off or picking up passengers. Outside those times and days, parking to the left of this sign is unrestricted.

This sign indicates a 'no parking' zone at specific times to the left. To the right of the sign is 'no stopping' all the time. You can stop for 2 minutes in a 'no parking' zone:

• if you are picking up or dropping off passengers or goods
• and you remain within 3 metres of your vehicle.

If you stop in, or partly in, an area showing a no parking sign and you are not picking up or dropping off passengers or goods, you are considered to be parked. You may be fined even if you stay with your vehicle.

Outside of the times and days indicated on the sign, there are no restrictions on parking.

This is an example of a sign indicating a clearway. Signs like this are designed to alert motorists that a clearway applies on the road they are travelling on. This clearway applies Monday to Friday, 7 to 9 am. It does not apply on public holidays.

The graphic of a tow truck indicates that a vehicle can be towed if it parks in a clearway.

This sign alerts people that a clearway restriction applies. The clearway applies in both directions along this road. Between 4.30 and 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday, a vehicle parked in this area can be towed.

If your vehicle is towed from a clearway there will be costs associated with having your vehicle released from impound.  

In this example there are also parking restrictions outside the clearway times.

The clearway and parking restrictions in this example do not apply on public holidays.

You can stop in a loading zone for the time period noted on the sign if you are in the process of dropping off, or picking up goods and driving a:

• goods-carrying vehicle
• courier or signed delivery vehicle
• truck which is dropping off or picking up goods.

Only the following vehicles may use a Loading Zone when dropping off or picking up passengers:

• A vehicle which has seating positions for 10 to 12 adults (including the driver) that is being used to carry passengers for hire or reward
• A public bus
• A licensed commercial passenger vehicle such as a taxi, rideshare or other special purpose vehicle.

If a Loading Zone sign does not have a time restriction, by default the restriction is 30 minutes.

Sedans, wagons/station wagons or SUV's may be fined for stopping in a loading zone, even if loading or unloading.