Parking etiquette is a topic that can stir the hornet's nest in any suburban neighbourhood.

A recent incident started a debate about the unwritten rules of street parking and the importance of being considerate to our neighbours.

A frustrated Victorian driver took to social media about a passive-aggressive note left by another ute driver.

'RAM owner left me a note,' he wrote as he posted two photos—one depicting the handwritten note which read: 'May as well park in my driveway next time buddy…'

In this case, the parked car was not infringing on the driveway, yet the homeowner felt compelled to express their displeasure.

A driver shared his ordeal with a ute owner who wrote him a rather interesting note. Image Credit: Reddit/parsim

VicRoads stated on their social media platforms that drivers can park vehicles 'anywhere in a street where parking is permitted, including in front of other homes or businesses'.

However, they also specified that you can't block a driveway for more than two minutes, except when picking up or dropping passengers.

With these regulations, the note received a mix of criticism and humour from social media users, who called it 'sooky'.

'Far out, we live on a street shared with a primary school,' one wrote. 'If I wrote a note for every snug park, I'd buy stocks in Officeworks.'

'Chuck a note in their letterbox that says something like, "It's not my fault you can't drive"', a second comment wrote.

Note aside, others commented on the size of the resident's vehicle.

'Mate, if you can't get out of your driveway with someone parked on the street, then maybe you aren't a good enough driver for your emotional support vehicle,' a comment read.

'Seems ironic that the RAM driver would be complaining about someone taking up too much space,' another wrote.

'If he can't reverse his oversized ute out of his driveway while the Nissan is legally parked, maybe he should downsize to something he can handle,' a third commented.

While the incident provided light-hearted banter among social media users, it also raised a serious question: Are we as considerate when we park our cars?

In a related article, parking across your driveway is illegal in New South Wales.

Violations may cost a hefty $302—even increasing to $387 and two demerit points when violations are in school zones.

Transport NSW confirmed the law aims to ensure 24/7 access to driveways and applies even to personal properties.

Key Takeaways

• A Victorian driver has been criticised for leaving a note on a car parked legally outside their home, calling the action 'sooky'.
• The note suggested the visitor might as well park directly in the driver's driveway, which sparked a debate on social media.
• Social media users defended the legally parked car, some ridiculing the resident's large vehicle and suggesting their driving skills might be the issue.
• A few users humorously suggested the parked driver take the note literally, even joking about parking in the driveway as the note implied permission.

Have you ever encountered a similar situation in your neighbourhood? What are your thoughts on this parking predicament? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.

 

[Geoff01]

Whilst the car is not blocking the driveway it is still parked too close. There is a distance that one must park from a driveway so as to give the person leaving the driveway clear vision of oncoming vehicles etc. size of the home owners vehicle is nothing to do with anyone else, just mind your own business and get on with it.

 

[Jennylolo]

if the road is narrow and cant turn one way or the other without doing 3 points to turn, then the council can become involved and will pant a yellow line appropriately to allow homeowner to get out. IN this case though the photo is on an angle cant really see if it is too close. The parked car does to appear to infron of the drive rounded curbing. So should be fine.

 

[kerrikennel]

Highly suggest you take note of his offer, and park in his driveway! What a kind person!

 

[Mrtnst]

Per the National Road Rules.

 

[IAN3005]

These people think they are entitled..... especially in the up and coming suburbs.
I had one woman in a North Shore suburb come up to me for parking under a tree to get some shade... I apparently was parked in 'HER' spot. I got out of my car and inspected the area but could find no evidence of 'HER' name so continued to park there.

 

[Veggiepatch]

View attachment 48082
Per the National Road Rules.

Proof that the car on the street is legally parked.

The RAM driver is such an arsehole that he/she could park their boat anchor in their own orifice!

 

[IAN3005]

Proof that the car on the street is legally parked.

The RAM driver is such an arsehole that he/she could park their boat anchor in their own orifice!

I just love the one-liner replies.....

 

[Marvin Kombi]

As a resident living very close to the local primary school I 100% sympathise with this person. Every afternoon we suffer the same problem with parents parking way too close to (or even across) our driveway. I run my own lawn mowing business and normally get home between 2:30 and 3:00pm, so trying to reverse my car and trailer into my own driveway can often become a difficult chore when selfish parents refuse to park legally. Mostly, there are perfectly good LEGAL parking spots just metres further down the street for them to park. Despite my sending numerous notes of complaint to the local primary school, pleading for them to advise and remind all parents and caregivers to be more considerate of the local residents, the practice continues. (Let’s not even get started on the frustrating and annoying idiots who sit there with their engines running and radios blaring waiting for their kids to get out of school). I have tried leaving friendly notes on windscreens and have even tried having a polite word with the offending drivers, only to be met with abuse and rudeness.
So, if anyone has a solution I am all ears. Parking legally is one thing. Parking considerately is another!!!

 

[Ezzy]

The RAM driver wouldn't want to live in our street. The street is so narrow that if a car is parked legally on either side of the road he would have to drive slowly between them & would certainly be fuming when it came to reversing out of his own driveway. I have seen vehicles on either side & a car has reversed out of his driveway straight into the parked vehicle.

 

[gamiry]

The RAM driver wouldn't want to live in our street. The street is so narrow that if a car is parked legally on either side of the road he would have to drive slowly between them & would certainly be fuming when it came to reversing out of his own driveway. I have seen vehicles on either side & a car has reversed out of his driveway straight into the parked vehicle.

sounds like my street, Water Street. Car parked either side, bus and truck thoroughfare, smashed road edges and NO footpaths. Try going down that on your disability scooter. Any wonder why I rarely leave home.