Driver Knowledge Tests Menu

If there are no signs or markings to advise you, can you choose any of these methods of parking? If there are no signs or markings to advise you, can you choose any of these methods of parking?

  • A. Yes, N is best but M and O are quite legal.

  • B. Yes. M, N and O are all legal.

  • C. No, only N is correct.

  •  
    The correct answer is C
     
    Correct. You can only parallel park if there are no other signs or markings
     
 
 
 
 

Parking rules

This guide explains safe parking and what you are and aren't allowed to do when parking in NSW.

Safe parking

When a vehicle is safely parked it is visible and not obstructing other road users. At night time, if you are only parking for a short time you can leave your park lights or hazard lights on to make the vehicle more visible.

If you have parked facing uphill, put your handbrake or park brake on, angle the wheels towards the kerb, put a manual car in first gear or an automatic car in P (park).

If you have parked facing downhill, put your handbrake or park brake on, angle the wheels towards the kerb, put a manual car in reverse or an automatic car in P (park).

Both of these techniques give three levels of failure. Handbrakes can fail, so if it does, the next defence is P (park) in an automatic (it won't roll if in P), or having the car in-gear in a manual, in which case it would need to be a steep hill for the car to roll forwards. If that fails, angling the wheels towards the kerb will mean that the car will roll gently into the kerb and come to rest.

If parking a motorbike, try to park on level ground; if this isn't possible, angle your bike so that it won't tip over.

It's important for motorbikes to park on firm ground so that the stand doesn't sink into the ground, which could cause the bike to tip over.

When parking for unloading, choose level ground otherwise the load can shift and possibly fall on you when you open the trailer or boot.

Parallel parking

When you park parallel to the kerb you must leave at least one metre front and back for other vehicles to be able to exit their park safely. Where there is kerbside parallel parking you are not allowed to double-park alongside a parked vehicle as you will be obstructing the roadway.

If there are no lines marked on the road (and assuming you are allowed to park there), then parallel parking applies, not angle parking.

Angle parking

Angle parking is usually at around 45 degrees to the kerb. Some angle parking is nose in, and others, as in the image below on the left, is nose out. This road also has parallel parking on the other side.

straight road angle parking and parallel parking

Exiting your vehicle

When you leave your vehicle, check in your mirrors and over your shoulder before you open your door so that you don't hit a cyclist or other motorist. Some countries teach drivers to open their door with their left hand so that they have to turn their body, and this means they're more likely to see objects in their blind spot.

Hide any visible valuables or take them with you. Do not leave pets or children in the vehicle. Close the windows, lock your vehicle and set the alarm. You must take the key with you if you are more than three metres from your vehicle.

Where you are not allowed to park

You must not park:

The parking below is motorbike-only parking and you can see the sign on the left-hand side stating this.

motorbike only parking

Signs that prohibit you from parking either completely or at certain times are as follows:

Motorway

motorway

Bus lane (in this case between 6am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm Monday to Friday)

bus lane sign

Clearway (in this case between 6am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm Monday to Friday).

clearway 6am-10am 3pm-7pm

No stopping signs - you can only stop here if it's a medical emergency

one way no stopping sign

No parking signs - you can stop in a no parking area, but only for up to two minutes (five minutes if you are an MPS permit holder) and you must remain within three metres of your vehicle.

no parking sign

You are not allowed to park in taxi zones or taxi stands which will be indicated with 'Taxi Zone or Taxi Stand signs unless you are an MPS permit holder and a sign is within the zone. Some taxi zones will have times shown on the sign. You can stop your vehicle in the zones outside of these times.

Private parking

If you choose to park on private land then make sure you know how much it will cost and what the terms and conditions are. Some private car parks close early and you will be unable to retrieve your vehicle without paying a hefty fee.

Mobility parking

Only vehicles carrying a disable person and displaying a mobility parking authority may park in this area. Other vehicles might be ticketed or towed. Fines for parking in a mobility car park in NSW are the highest in the country: $519 plus a demerit point penalty.

mobility card holder parking