Parking laws – the basics
Parking means to stop your car or vehicle in a place and leave it there for a time.
The law says you have parked even if you only stop for a few minutes or do not leave your vehicle.
Parking laws make our roads safer. They also help us use parking spaces fairly, so that people can access places and services when they need to.
There are some laws that you need to follow every time you stop or park. You must:
- obey relevant parking signs
- park within marked bays (if marked)
- not get in the way of traffic, cyclists or pedestrians
- allow enough space for large vehicles to pass safely (usually three metres).
Before leaving the vehicle, you must:
- make sure the parking brake is on
- remove the key from the ignition
- lock all doors and windows if there is no-one in the vehicle
- check for traffic and cyclists before opening your door, getting out of or off the vehicle.
One of the biggest risks to cyclists is car doors opening in their way. It is against the law to cause a hazard (danger or risk) to a person or another vehicle by:
- opening a door
- leaving a door open
- getting off or out of a car, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle.
Angle parking
When angle parking, you must:
- park at the angle shown by the marked bays or sign
- park at a 45-degree angle if there are no markings or a sign
- park with the rear of your vehicle to the road, unless a sign says otherwise
- follow other parking rules.
Parallel parking
When parallel parking, you must:
- face your car the same way as the traffic direction on your side of the road
- park as close to the edge of the road as practical
- leave at least one metre between your car and other vehicles, unless parking in a marked bay
- follow other parking rules.
You can park your motorcycle or scooter at an angle in parallel parking areas.
Parking in the centre of the road
If a sign allows parking in the centre of the road, you must drive in and out forwards unless a sign says otherwise.
Parking signs
Parking signs tell you where you can and cannot stop or park.
Read signs from top to bottom, left to right. The most important restrictions are often at the top. Although it is important to read the whole sign carefully to know:
- whether you can stop or park there
- how long you can stop or park there
- any other restrictions.
For more information and examples of signs visit Road signs on the Transport Victoria website.
Time limits
The time limits on a parking sign only apply during the days and times shown. Outside of those times, you can park as long as you want, unless another sign says you cannot.
Once you have reached the time limit, you cannot add more money to the meter or move to a nearby spot. You must move your vehicle out of the length of road or area that the sign applies to.
Public holidays
If a sign shows a day of the week, then the restriction does not apply when that day is a public holiday.
For example, if a sign says ‘2P Monday’, then when there is a public holiday on a Monday, the restriction does not apply that day.
If a sign does not show a day of the week, then the restriction applies every day, even on public holidays.
What if there is no sign?
Generally, parking signs will tell you whether you can stop or park in a place. However, there are situations where you cannot stop or park, even if there are no signs.
It is important to follow these rules to keep yourself and others safe.
For example, you must not park:
- next to a vehicle that is already parked by the edge of the road (this is called double-parking)
- if there is less than three metres of clear road next to your vehicle for traffic to pass
- next to a continuous yellow line on the edge of the road
- across a driveway (you can stop for two minutes if you are dropping off or picking up passengers and do not leave your vehicle)
- on a freeway, unless it is an emergency and you stop in the emergency stopping lane.
There are other places and situations where you must not stop or park. To learn more, visit Parking on the Transport Victoria website.
Bicycle parking
Unless a sign says otherwise, you can park your bicycle on a footpath or nature strip if it is safe and not in the way. Use a bicycle rack or rail if one is available.
Motorcycle and scooter parking
Unless a sign says otherwise, and if it is safe and not in the way, you can park your motorbike or scooter on a:
- bicycle path
- footpath
- shared path
- dividing strip
- nature strip next to a road.
How much space must I leave when I park?
There are laws about how many metres you must leave before and after common road features, such as:
- fire hydrants
- Australia Post mailboxes
- intersections
- pedestrian crossings.
To learn more, visit Parking on the Transport Victoria website.
Parking with an accessible parking permit
If you have disability or injury, you may be able to apply for an accessible parking permit.
There are three types of accessible parking permits in Victoria:
- Australian Disability Parking Permit for individuals
- Australian Disability Parking Permit for organisations
- Double Time Permit.
If you have an Australian Disability Parking Permit you can:
- park in an accessible parking bay for the time displayed on the sign
- park in a standard parking bay for double the time displayed on the parking sign.
A Double Time Permit allows you to park in a standard parking bay for double the time on the parking sign.
You can only use an accessible parking permit when:
- you are using the vehicle to transport the person the permit was issued for
- you display the permit clearly so the permit number and expiry date are visible from outside the vehicle.
You may need to give your name and address and show your driver licence to police or a parking inspector if they ask.
Sometimes a sign or parking machine will say you do not have to pay if you have an accessible or disability parking permit. Check that you have the right type of permit for this. It is not always free to park in an accessible parking bay.
Learn more at Accessible parking permits on Transport Victoria’s website.
Parking fines
You must obey parking signs, road markings and road rules when stopping or parking your vehicle. If you do not, you may get a fine. A fine means you must pay money as a punishment for breaking the law.
A parking fine is also called an infringement notice.
Never ignore a parking fine – fines do not go away. Act early to avoid having:
- to pay more
- to go to court
- your licence or registration cancelled.
A parking infringement is when you stop or park your car or vehicle:
- in a place you are not allowed
- for longer than you are allowed
- for an activity that is not allowed there – for example, stopping in a loading zone just to make a phone call.
It does not matter whether you or someone else stays in the vehicle.
If you disobey the law, you could get a fine. A parking fine is also called an infringement notice.
Who can give me a parking fine?
Only authorised people can give you a parking fine. These include:
- police
- protective services officers (PSOs)
- some council, government and VicRoads officers.
If someone gives you a parking fine and you want to know if they are authorised, ask to see their identity card. The card should show the person’s photo and signature, and their authorising officer’s signature.
Can a private company issue a parking fine?
Private companies run some car parks, such as those often attached to shopping centres. A parking ‘fine’ from a private company is not the same as a fine from a council, the government or police.
If you get a notice from a private company that looks like a fine, read Consumer Affairs Victoria's information on Parking payment notices in private carparks. Do this before paying the notice or contacting the company.
Airport parking
Parking at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport comes under Australian law, not Victorian law. You must follow parking and stopping rules set out by signs and authorised airport staff.
If you ignore a fine, Melbourne Airport will take the matter to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
Learn more about your options for dealing with Melbourne Airport parking infringements.
How much are parking fines?
The amount of a parking fine will depend on a few things. It may depend on the year, the local council and what the fine is for.
The parking fine notice will say how much the fine is.
What if I cannot pay a fine by the due date?
Do not ignore your fine. If you ignore a fine, you may have to pay more money or go to court.
If you cannot pay by the due date, learn more about your options for Dealing with fines.
What if I disagree with a parking fine?
If you think there is a reason you should not have to pay a fine, you may be able to apply for a review.
This could be due to special circumstances or other reasons. Experiencing homelessness or family violence are examples of special circumstances.
Learn more about Getting a fine reviewed.
The ticket machine or meter was broken
You may not have to pay the fine if the ticket machine or meter was broken.
However, even if a ticket machine or meter is broken, you still must obey the signs. For example, if you park in a restricted time area with a two-hour (2P) sign, you can only stay for up to two hours. If you park for longer than the sign allows, you can get a fine for not obeying the time limit.
The fine was issued incorrectly
If you think the council or agency that fined you made a mistake, you can ask them to review it.
When you get the fine, record as much information as possible to prove there was a mistake. The type of information you might collect includes your location and photos of:
- the parking meter where you parked, including the parking meter number
- your car parked there
- the sign showing the parking restrictions.
What if I am under 18?
If you were under 18 when you got the fine, there is a more flexible system. You may be able to get your fine reduced or not have to pay it.
It is a good idea to get advice from a lawyer. To find out how to get help, visit Other support for fines and infringements.
To learn more about fines if you are under 18, visit Young people and fines or read Youthlaw’s factsheet on Fines for under 18s.
Publications and resources
Bike law: a bicycle rider’s guide to road rules in Victoria
Related links
Other support for fines and infringements
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