Is it legal to park with two wheels on a gutter?

Yes, gutter parking is prohibited in most states and territories in Australia, but the application of fines seems to vary by municipality.

Many of us used to park on a drain (also called a curb, natural lane, or footpath) as a courtesy to other cars driving down the narrow street. But the common practice is actually banned throughout Australia, although fines are applied intermittently between state police and councils.

VicRoads parking information, the Queensland government's information on parking regulations and fines, and the SA MyLicence website clearly state that you are not permitted to stop, park or leave your vehicle on footpaths or natural lanes in Victoria, Queensland or South Australia.

But the QLD information also states that enforcement of parking tickets is done by the police in cooperation with some local councils that enforce and regulate some parking tickets. This appears to be true in New South Wales as well, as Randwick City Council's parking FAQs are subject to state law: according to their website, under Highway Code NSW 197, you risk a ticket if you park two wheels in a ditch. .

In other states and territories, you can also find information about parking violations on council websites. The City of Hobart website states that stopping on a footpath, bike path, natural lane, or painted island is prohibited because parking even two wheels on a footpath can be a hazard to pedestrians.

According to information ExaminerTasmanians who receive parking tickets on nature lanes are not prosecuted by the authorities. Apparently, cars parked on natural lanes and footpaths are one of the most common complaints received by councils in Tassi, and councils frequently fine drivers in response to complaints.

There also appears to be haphazard patrolling of cars parked on gutters in Western Australia. According to Perth now, in Western Australia, offenses such as ditch parking are not equally targeted in different municipal areas.

News reported similar concerns from residents of the Northern Territory a couple of years ago, after two workers contesting a parking ticket on a nature strip near Darwin City Council lost an appeal.

According to information News, Darwin's council has only recently begun enacting parking fines, which have been common in the area for a decade, suggesting that, as in other states and territories, whether two-wheel parking fines are enforced on gutter. advice after advice.

This article is not intended as legal advice. You should check with your local road authorities to make sure the information written here is appropriate for your situation before driving this way.