How to read parking signs

How to Read Parking Signs

It’s hard enough trying to find a parking space these days. Now you also need a PhD to understand the bloody parking signs once you get one. 2 hours here, no standing there, clearway from 4 – 5 pm, parking ticket required from 9 – 4. You don’t know where it starts and ends. Some parking signs have so many numbers on them that they look like Bruce McAvaney’s match day notes. Now that’s speciaaallll.

Parking signs have become so bad that you have to wonder if the council does it on purpose. You see, the more confusing parking signs are, the more likely people are to not comply with parking restrictions. If more people don’t comply with the rules, the more parking fines inspectors can issue. All this leads to more income for local councils. To avoid this ‘circle of lies’ (please sing in Lion King style) we have developed some simple guidelines on how to read the most important. You can thank us later. So here we go…

No Stopping (old No Standing)

Australian road regulators have slowly introduced the ‘No Stopping’ sign to replace ‘No Standing’. This little change wasted millions of taxpayer money but hey, we digress. There is no way around this little beauty. Even if you don’t leave the car and stop literally for 5 milliseconds you can be fined. The conniving councils have even placed CCTV cameras on the lookout. So even if you think you got away with it, you could still receive an expensive fine in the post a few weeks later.

Clearways

These can be really tricky. On major roads ‘Clearways’ are often implemented for set times during the day. It may be during school pick up times or during the morning rush to work. Only buses or taxis can stop to collect passengers so best to avoid. All other vehicles are not allowed to stop for any reason during the allocated times. Also keep an eye out for ‘Clearways’ that warn you that your ‘car will be towed’, as it really will, and it is really annoying.

Loading Zone

Let’s admit it, anything with ‘Zone’ in it is awesome. The ‘Danger Zone’ song from Top Gun and remember those awesome Timezone games arcades. Damn, we wasted a lot of money there. Like its namesakes the ‘Loading Zone’ is the coolest parking space around. Only a select few get to use this baby. It can only be utilised by approved vehicles when dropping off or picking up goods for business purposes. You may also need a special sticker to park in these locations, so avoid otherwise.

No Parking

This has to be our favorite parking sign. It says ‘No Parking’ but it actually should read, ‘you can park here for a teeny weeny little bit’. It appears that our road regulators couldn’t figure out a short phrase to describe the sign properly so they just went with ‘No Parking’. In reality, the sign means you can collect passengers or goods without leaving your vehicle but it must be quick. You are likely to see these signs around major event and sporting facilities.

Permit Area

These permits can be absolutely priceless depending on where you live. Some of them have even become collector’s items. We just love the thought of a council member laminating a piece of cardboard and then mailing it to your house. And trust us, councils still operate that way! You are only allowed to park in a ‘Permit Area’ if you hold a valid permit issued by the local council. It must also be displayed on your car dashboard at all times. Keep an eye out however as some ‘Permit Areas’ allow parking during set times for all motorists.

So there you go. We hope that helps. Let us know if there are any other signs you would like us to cover. We know there are hundreds out there and we are always happy to help. If you want to avoid the issue of understanding parking signs all together, then start using Parkhound. Parkhound is an online marketplace that connects drivers looking for parking, with local property owners who have spare parking space. No parking signs, no parking fines and all in your own time.  Visit www.parkhound.com.au and sign up now.

Happy parking,
Team Parkhound