The rules outlined below are an overview, please refer to the rule references for more details.
Parking and stopping regulations apply even if you have your hazard warning lights on.
You must park completely within the parking bay, in line with and close to the kerb. If parking bays are not marked, you must leave at least one metre between your vehicle and those in front and behind. Unless parking signs show otherwise, and provided there is at least three metres of clear road between the car and the centre dividing line, you can park opposite:
- double continuous dividing lines
- a single continuous dividing line
- a single continuous line to the left or right of a broken dividing line
- a dividing strip.
You can park opposite a broken line without leaving three metres clear between the parked car and the broken dividing line.
You must park at the angle indicated by the signs or marked bays. Where no angle is indicated by signs or marked bays, you must park at a 45° angle.
You must drive in forwards and drive out forwards. Do not reverse out of these parks, unless a sign indicates you may do so.
You must not park continuously for longer than the period indicated on a sign in the area to which the sign applies. The parking limits apply during the periods shown on the sign. Outside those times, parking is allowed with no restrictions. When moving a parked vehicle to another parking spot, the driver must move the vehicle off the length of road, or out of the area, to which the parking sign applies.
If the parking sign indicates that a fee is payable for parking by buying a ticket or putting money into a parking meter you must pay the fee and obey any instructions on the sign, meter or ticket machine.
You must not park in parking bays that have a Disabled Parking sign or road marking without a valid disabled permit.
You are allowed two minutes (or the time specified on the sign) in a ‘No Parking’ area only if you remain within three metres of the vehicle and you are picking up or dropping off passengers or goods. Otherwise, if you stop, you are considered to have parked, even if you stay in the vehicle.
These signs tell you that you must not stop at the kerb for any reason.
A driver must not stop next to a continuous yellow edge line.
You must not stop in a Clearway (shown by the letter ‘C’ on the signs) during the hours and days noted on the sign.
For detailed information see Tow-away zones.
Loading Zone - unless another limit is specified on the sign, drivers of the following vehicles are permitted to stop in a loading zone for no longer than 30 minutes or the time indicated on the sign:
- goods-carrying vehicles with a ‘G’ code included on their registration labels
- signed delivery and courier vehicles
- trucks while dropping off or picking up goods
- public passenger vehicles or taxis that are dropping off or picking up passengers.
Other drivers must not stop in a loading zone (even if loading or unloading).
Truck Zone - Only for trucks with a gross vehicle mass over 4.5 tonnes.
Bus Zone - Only for public buses.
Permit Zone - Only for vehicles displaying a valid permit for that zone issued by the relevant authority.
Taxi Zone - Only for taxis
Works Zone - Only for vehicles engaged in construction work in or near the zone.
You must not leave a vehicle stationary:
- double parked
- where there is a Keep Clear road marking
- within an intersection (except on the continuous side of a continuing road of a T-intersection)
- on freeways (except in an emergency stopping lane)
- across a lane or private driveway (except for 2 minutes to pick up or drop off passengers without leaving the vehicle unattended)
- where you would leave less than three metres of road clear for traffic
- on the wrong side of the road, i.e. on the far right side of a two-way road
- on a footpath, nature strip or reservation (unless the vehicle is a motorcycle or bicycle)
- in a bus lane
- on a painted island
- half in, half out of a No Parking or No Stopping area
- opposite a dividing strip, continuous single line, or any combination of continuous or broken double lines, unless there is at least three metres of clearance between your vehicle and the dividing line (unless otherwise indicated on a parking sign)
- on a curve or crest outside a built-up area unless visible for 100 metres from behind, or unless signs allow
- next to a continuous yellow edge line
- in a slip lane (unless permitted by a sign).
- within 20 metres (unless permitted by a sign) of:
- both sides of an intersection with traffic lights
- the approach side of a bus stop
- the approach side of a children’s crossing
- both sides of a level crossing
- the approach side of a pedestrian crossing that is not at an intersection
- the approach side of a tram stop sign (unless permitted by a sign)
- within 10 metres (unless permitted by a sign) of:
- an intersection without traffic lights
- the departure side of a bus stop sign
- both sides of a safety zone
- the approach side of traffic lights not at an intersection
- the departure side of a pedestrian crossing that is not at an intersection
- the departure side of a children’s crossing
- within three metres of an Australia Post mail box
- within three metres of the departure side of a crossing with traffic lights not at an intersection
- within one metre of a fire hydrant.
You must not cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a door of a vehicle, leaving a door of a vehicle open, or exiting a vehicle.
Road Safety Road Rules 2009
- Part 12 – Restrictions on stopping and parking
To look up these rules and check for other related rules, please refer to the Acts and Regulations administered by VicRoads.