What are they all about?

Loading zones are provided to allow the pick up or delivery of loads or people close to their destination. They are not provided for short term parking.
The following groups of vehicles can use loading zones while actually taking up or setting down passengers or loads:-

• A public passenger vehicle, taxi or other commercial passenger vehicle licensed under the Transport Act 1983.
• Trucks, vans, utilities and other vehicles constructed principally for carrying loads. These vehicles have a "G" on their registration label.
• Sedan, station wagon, motor cycles and other similar delivery or courier vehicles with a permanently fixed sign on both sides of the body of the vehicle. This is the only group which requires signs on the body of the vehicle to enable them to use loading zones.

Loading zone time limits
Loading zone signs may have 15, 30 minute or hourly time limits. Where no time limit is displayed, a default time limit of 30 minutes applies. Loading zones can only be used while loading or unloading. However, under no circumstances can the time limit be exceeded.

Signs for delivery and courier vehicles
The signs on delivery and courier sedans, station wagons, motor cycles and similar vehicles must meet the following specifications:

1. A business, company name or courier sign (with or without other words or symbols) must appear in letters at least 50 mm high and be of proportional width.
2. Signs must be in clear contrast with the background and clearly legible from five metres.
3. Signs must be permanently marked on both sides of the motor vehicle body. Permanent adhesive signs are permitted. Magnetic signs, or signs placed on windows or roof racks are not acceptable. For a motorbike, the signs can be on both sides or the rear.

What if my sign doesn't come up to size?
A friendly warning for business sedan and station wagon drivers: if your sign doesn't come up to size - or you don't have signage at all - you risk being booked.
If you don't have signs on your sedan or station wagon, use 1/4 hour or other standard parking areas for the picking up or delivery of loads.

Loading Zone Guidelines
A VicRoads document titled Loading Zone Guidelines (October 2000) [PDF, 823 kb, 16 pages] has been produced to assist Councils and the consulting industry in implementing these facilities.

1. In 2007-08, the fine for unlawful parking is one penalty unit $110.12. From 1 July 2004 the Treasurer may by notice published in the Government Gazette fix once each financial year the fee unit and the penalty unit, and

    

2. allowing commercial passenger vehicles licensed under the Transport Act 1983 to stop in a loading zone to drop off, or pick up, passengers and/or goods.

For further enquiries, contact VicRoads on telephone 13 11 71.