This parking rule cost a woman ‘nearly $900’: ‘I had no idea’

Driving your car is helpful for getting around town quickly, and is often preferred for its increased convenience.

But, if you are a regular driver, you’ll know that finding a spot can be quite a challenge.

To make the most of street parking, it’s always worth familiarising yourself with local regulations, as well as being aware of parking limits wherever you’re parked.



That said, don’t panic too much — road regulations are designed to ensure safety for all and your convenience, clear signs are placed to help you follow the rules.

However, what happens when there are no signs indicating that parking is off-limits? Would it be safe to assume that it’s okay to park?

That’s exactly what one NSW driver in Bondi was wondering after she inadvertently parked her rental car too close to her destination’s dividing line.

Despite her claim that there were no road markings or signs in the area, she was hit with a whopping $849 fine.

Yes, you read that right!


d4123405b595591788a85f402ccb5685a7271e1f.png
The woman took to social media to warn others from making the same mistake. Image Credit: Facebook


It turns out that she was fined $283 thrice for the following offence as detailed on her last fine: ‘parallel park close to dividing line/strip’.

The woman said she had no idea she was even fined in the first place (or the second and third, apparently) until the owner of the rental car she used to drive and park reached out to her about the fine.

‘(The parking rangers) went straight to the (Service NSW) app of the registered owner and it wasn’t until they left the physical paper ticket ... that I was made aware of this,’ she shared to a local Facebook group.

‘So now I have nearly $900 worth of fines for this.’


One thing she was quick to highlight is that she didn’t see any relevant signage telling her she wasn’t allowed to park at the front of the house she stayed in.

'There's no road or street signage, no yellow lines, no indication of any kind that you can't park here .... but it's not allowed,' she said, realising the hefty fines she had been hit with.

‘The dividing line (or strip) they are referring to are the white lines in the middle of the road ... and the rules state that you must be (three) metres away from these lines.’

‘Just wanted to make you aware of this rule as I had no idea, and all of the people I’ve asked haven’t heard of it either so don’t want others to get caught out.’


14358822450_90f1c5e0d7_o.jpg
The 3-metre parking rule allows other vehicles enough space to pass. Image Credit: Flickr


Many took to the comments section to share their sympathies, especially as it didn’t look like there was much space to work with in the picture she shared along with her warning.

‘There should be a sign advising no stopping (or) making the road wider,’ a user said.

‘How have any roads even got 3-metre clearance! Especially in the inner West and Eastern (Bondi) suburbs,’ another said.

And there were those who felt she had to pay her due no matter how hefty the price was.

‘Yes that’s the rule, because (there) being double lines, cars cannot go over,’ a user explained. ‘So you’ll need (to) ... ensure the 3-metre (distance) is there, so cars have enough room to go around you without crossing the double lines.’

‘It’s the road rules, you’ll have to cop this one on the chin...’

And another added more bluntly: ‘Pay the fine (and) move on.’

Hopefully, she has an extra $849 lying around somewhere…

Key Takeaways
  • An NSW driver received ‘nearly $900’ in fines for simply parking on the side of the road in what she claimed was an unsigned area.
  • She was fined for parking too close to the dividing line.
  • She says there was reportedly no street signage or any other indicator that cars were not allowed to park there.
  • Many Facebook users also criticised the lack of signage, while others explained that the 3-metre rule applies because cars cannot go over double lines.
According to road rules posted by the NSW Government, drivers are indeed not allowed to park within 3 metres of any double-dividing street lines.

Drivers can also dispute fines in the state, and even nominate other drivers at fault in cases where other parties are involved. However, under the guidelines posted to help determine if a fine is contestable, it is noted that not seeing a sign isn’t among the grounds counted for leniency.

It is unclear whether the driver pursued further action after the fine.

The same rule is in effect in SA, QLD, TAS, NT, WA and VIC.

Well, after all, we’re all human, so there’s bound to be a road rule here and there that we have no clue about.

Here are some stories about some lesser-known road rules that could help save you from those nasty fines:
When it comes to fines, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you’re unaware of the law!

So, what are your thoughts on this? You probably know this rule already, but do you think the woman indeed had a case that she didn’t see any nearby sign prohibiting parking where she did? Why or why not?

Tell us your thoughts below!
 
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Driving your car is helpful for getting around town quickly, and is often preferred for its increased convenience.

But, if you are a regular driver, you’ll know that finding a spot can be quite a challenge.

To make the most of street parking, it’s always worth familiarising yourself with local regulations, as well as being aware of parking limits wherever you’re parked.



That said, don’t panic too much — road regulations are designed to ensure safety for all and your convenience, clear signs are placed to help you follow the rules.

However, what happens when there are no signs indicating that parking is off-limits? Would it be safe to assume that it’s okay to park?

That’s exactly what one NSW driver in Bondi was wondering after she inadvertently parked her rental car too close to her destination’s dividing line.

Despite her claim that there were no road markings or signs in the area, she was hit with a whopping $849 fine.

Yes, you read that right!


View attachment 13553
The woman took to social media to warn others from making the same mistake. Image Credit: Facebook


It turns out that she was fined $283 thrice for the following offence as detailed on her last fine: ‘parallel park close to dividing line/strip’.

The woman said she had no idea she was even fined in the first place (or the second and third, apparently) until the owner of the rental car she used to drive and park reached out to her about the fine.

‘(The parking rangers) went straight to the (Service NSW) app of the registered owner and it wasn’t until they left the physical paper ticket ... that I was made aware of this,’ she shared to a local Facebook group.

‘So now I have nearly $900 worth of fines for this.’


One thing she was quick to highlight is that she didn’t see any relevant signage telling her she wasn’t allowed to park at the front of the house she stayed in.

'There's no road or street signage, no yellow lines, no indication of any kind that you can't park here .... but it's not allowed,' she said, realising the hefty fines she had been hit with.

‘The dividing line (or strip) they are referring to are the white lines in the middle of the road ... and the rules state that you must be (three) metres away from these lines.’

‘Just wanted to make you aware of this rule as I had no idea, and all of the people I’ve asked haven’t heard of it either so don’t want others to get caught out.’


View attachment 13554
The 3-metre parking rule allows other vehicles enough space to pass. Image Credit: Flickr


Many took to the comments section to share their sympathies, especially as it didn’t look like there was much space to work with in the picture she shared along with her warning.

‘There should be a sign advising no stopping (or) making the road wider,’ a user said.

‘How have any roads even got 3-metre clearance! Especially in the inner West and Eastern (Bondi) suburbs,’ another said.

And there were those who felt she had to pay her due no matter how hefty the price was.

‘Yes that’s the rule, because (there) being double lines, cars cannot go over,’ a user explained. ‘So you’ll need (to) ... ensure the 3-metre (distance) is there, so cars have enough room to go around you without crossing the double lines.’

‘It’s the road rules, you’ll have to cop this one on the chin...’

And another added more bluntly: ‘Pay the fine (and) move on.’

Hopefully, she has an extra $849 lying around somewhere…

Key Takeaways

  • An NSW driver received ‘nearly $900’ in fines for simply parking on the side of the road in what she claimed was an unsigned area.
  • She was fined for parking too close to the dividing line.
  • She says there was reportedly no street signage or any other indicator that cars were not allowed to park there.
  • Many Facebook users also criticised the lack of signage, while others explained that the 3-metre rule applies because cars cannot go over double lines.
According to road rules posted by the NSW Government, drivers are indeed not allowed to park within 3 metres of any double-dividing street lines.

Drivers can also dispute fines in the state, and even nominate other drivers at fault in cases where other parties are involved. However, under the guidelines posted to help determine if a fine is contestable, it is noted that not seeing a sign isn’t among the grounds counted for leniency.

It is unclear whether the driver pursued further action after the fine.

The same rule is in effect in SA, QLD, TAS, NT, WA and VIC.

Well, after all, we’re all human, so there’s bound to be a road rule here and there that we have no clue about.

Here are some stories about some lesser-known road rules that could help save you from those nasty fines:
When it comes to fines, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you’re unaware of the law!

So, what are your thoughts on this? You probably know this rule already, but do you think the woman indeed had a case that she didn’t see any nearby sign prohibiting parking where she did? Why or why not?

Tell us your thoughts below!
 
I get tired of road rules that we who've been driving 50 plus years have never been informed about. When are they going to inform us- could be done with license or car reg renewals.
I've been driving for 70+ years and always been aware of the rule that when parking opposite double centre lines you have to leave room for traffic to pass without going over the lines..... sign posts! you'd need millions of them.
 
It is common sense, drivers are not allowed to drive over double white lines so to park with double white lines where cats have to drive over them means that you are causing an obstruction. My other concern is how are the bins to be accessed when collected?
I often see the garbo dealing with this situation. The "arm" can extend right out over parked cars and still easily pick up the bins. Personally I wouldn't risk parking my car there in case it got scraped, but plenty in my street do it!
 
That should read 3 metres not 9.
I got my license in 1964 and it was a rule then that you must not park within 10 feet or now 9mtres of double yellow, now white lines. One of the many rules you had to know before you could pass your test.
 
Driving your car is helpful for getting around town quickly, and is often preferred for its increased convenience.

But, if you are a regular driver, you’ll know that finding a spot can be quite a challenge.

To make the most of street parking, it’s always worth familiarising yourself with local regulations, as well as being aware of parking limits wherever you’re parked.



That said, don’t panic too much — road regulations are designed to ensure safety for all and your convenience, clear signs are placed to help you follow the rules.

However, what happens when there are no signs indicating that parking is off-limits? Would it be safe to assume that it’s okay to park?

That’s exactly what one NSW driver in Bondi was wondering after she inadvertently parked her rental car too close to her destination’s dividing line.

Despite her claim that there were no road markings or signs in the area, she was hit with a whopping $849 fine.

Yes, you read that right!


View attachment 13553
The woman took to social media to warn others from making the same mistake. Image Credit: Facebook


It turns out that she was fined $283 thrice for the following offence as detailed on her last fine: ‘parallel park close to dividing line/strip’.

The woman said she had no idea she was even fined in the first place (or the second and third, apparently) until the owner of the rental car she used to drive and park reached out to her about the fine.

‘(The parking rangers) went straight to the (Service NSW) app of the registered owner and it wasn’t until they left the physical paper ticket ... that I was made aware of this,’ she shared to a local Facebook group.

‘So now I have nearly $900 worth of fines for this.’


One thing she was quick to highlight is that she didn’t see any relevant signage telling her she wasn’t allowed to park at the front of the house she stayed in.

'There's no road or street signage, no yellow lines, no indication of any kind that you can't park here .... but it's not allowed,' she said, realising the hefty fines she had been hit with.

‘The dividing line (or strip) they are referring to are the white lines in the middle of the road ... and the rules state that you must be (three) metres away from these lines.’

‘Just wanted to make you aware of this rule as I had no idea, and all of the people I’ve asked haven’t heard of it either so don’t want others to get caught out.’


View attachment 13554
The 3-metre parking rule allows other vehicles enough space to pass. Image Credit: Flickr


Many took to the comments section to share their sympathies, especially as it didn’t look like there was much space to work with in the picture she shared along with her warning.

‘There should be a sign advising no stopping (or) making the road wider,’ a user said.

‘How have any roads even got 3-metre clearance! Especially in the inner West and Eastern (Bondi) suburbs,’ another said.

And there were those who felt she had to pay her due no matter how hefty the price was.

‘Yes that’s the rule, because (there) being double lines, cars cannot go over,’ a user explained. ‘So you’ll need (to) ... ensure the 3-metre (distance) is there, so cars have enough room to go around you without crossing the double lines.’

‘It’s the road rules, you’ll have to cop this one on the chin...’

And another added more bluntly: ‘Pay the fine (and) move on.’

Hopefully, she has an extra $849 lying around somewhere…

Key Takeaways

  • An NSW driver received ‘nearly $900’ in fines for simply parking on the side of the road in what she claimed was an unsigned area.
  • She was fined for parking too close to the dividing line.
  • She says there was reportedly no street signage or any other indicator that cars were not allowed to park there.
  • Many Facebook users also criticised the lack of signage, while others explained that the 3-metre rule applies because cars cannot go over double lines.
According to road rules posted by the NSW Government, drivers are indeed not allowed to park within 3 metres of any double-dividing street lines.

Drivers can also dispute fines in the state, and even nominate other drivers at fault in cases where other parties are involved. However, under the guidelines posted to help determine if a fine is contestable, it is noted that not seeing a sign isn’t among the grounds counted for leniency.

It is unclear whether the driver pursued further action after the fine.

The same rule is in effect in SA, QLD, TAS, NT, WA and VIC.

Well, after all, we’re all human, so there’s bound to be a road rule here and there that we have no clue about.

Here are some stories about some lesser-known road rules that could help save you from those nasty fines:
When it comes to fines, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you’re unaware of the law!

So, what are your thoughts on this? You probably know this rule already, but do you think the woman indeed had a case that she didn’t see any nearby sign prohibiting parking where she did? Why or why not?

Tell us your thoughts below!
I did see that she was parked too close to the double white lines, but, I also looked at where the bin is. How is the Garbo supposed to pick it up?
 
The distance to the white line in the photo is about the same as if a car were parked on either side of our street in W.A. (& it does happen). According to the City's Ranger this is acceptable. People just need to slow down to drive between the parked cars. There are no lines of course but common sense must prevail to get past the vehicles.

Wonder if the driver of the other vehicle was also fined $283 for the same offence.
 
"The distance to the white line..." , "There are no lines of course." Which is it. The photograph referred to doesn't replicate.
 
What do they teach you these days when you do your driving lessons and test.. This was drummed into me when I did both, back when I got my license... Maybe they need to look at how slack the driving instructors are getting and how easy it is to get your license now.. It should be a privileged to get your license,, NOT a right.
 
Dah, everyone who drives SHOULD know that rule, you CAN NOT drive over double white lines or for that matter a SINGLE white line. No signage need it is ROAD LAWS 101.
 
Driving your car is helpful for getting around town quickly, and is often preferred for its increased convenience.

But, if you are a regular driver, you’ll know that finding a spot can be quite a challenge.

To make the most of street parking, it’s always worth familiarising yourself with local regulations, as well as being aware of parking limits wherever you’re parked.



That said, don’t panic too much — road regulations are designed to ensure safety for all and your convenience, clear signs are placed to help you follow the rules.

However, what happens when there are no signs indicating that parking is off-limits? Would it be safe to assume that it’s okay to park?

That’s exactly what one NSW driver in Bondi was wondering after she inadvertently parked her rental car too close to her destination’s dividing line.

Despite her claim that there were no road markings or signs in the area, she was hit with a whopping $849 fine.

Yes, you read that right!


View attachment 13553
The woman took to social media to warn others from making the same mistake. Image Credit: Facebook


It turns out that she was fined $283 thrice for the following offence as detailed on her last fine: ‘parallel park close to dividing line/strip’.

The woman said she had no idea she was even fined in the first place (or the second and third, apparently) until the owner of the rental car she used to drive and park reached out to her about the fine.

‘(The parking rangers) went straight to the (Service NSW) app of the registered owner and it wasn’t until they left the physical paper ticket ... that I was made aware of this,’ she shared to a local Facebook group.

‘So now I have nearly $900 worth of fines for this.’


One thing she was quick to highlight is that she didn’t see any relevant signage telling her she wasn’t allowed to park at the front of the house she stayed in.

'There's no road or street signage, no yellow lines, no indication of any kind that you can't park here .... but it's not allowed,' she said, realising the hefty fines she had been hit with.

‘The dividing line (or strip) they are referring to are the white lines in the middle of the road ... and the rules state that you must be (three) metres away from these lines.’

‘Just wanted to make you aware of this rule as I had no idea, and all of the people I’ve asked haven’t heard of it either so don’t want others to get caught out.’


View attachment 13554
The 3-metre parking rule allows other vehicles enough space to pass. Image Credit: Flickr


Many took to the comments section to share their sympathies, especially as it didn’t look like there was much space to work with in the picture she shared along with her warning.

‘There should be a sign advising no stopping (or) making the road wider,’ a user said.

‘How have any roads even got 3-metre clearance! Especially in the inner West and Eastern (Bondi) suburbs,’ another said.

And there were those who felt she had to pay her due no matter how hefty the price was.

‘Yes that’s the rule, because (there) being double lines, cars cannot go over,’ a user explained. ‘So you’ll need (to) ... ensure the 3-metre (distance) is there, so cars have enough room to go around you without crossing the double lines.’

‘It’s the road rules, you’ll have to cop this one on the chin...’

And another added more bluntly: ‘Pay the fine (and) move on.’

Hopefully, she has an extra $849 lying around somewhere…

Key Takeaways

  • An NSW driver received ‘nearly $900’ in fines for simply parking on the side of the road in what she claimed was an unsigned area.
  • She was fined for parking too close to the dividing line.
  • She says there was reportedly no street signage or any other indicator that cars were not allowed to park there.
  • Many Facebook users also criticised the lack of signage, while others explained that the 3-metre rule applies because cars cannot go over double lines.
According to road rules posted by the NSW Government, drivers are indeed not allowed to park within 3 metres of any double-dividing street lines.

Drivers can also dispute fines in the state, and even nominate other drivers at fault in cases where other parties are involved. However, under the guidelines posted to help determine if a fine is contestable, it is noted that not seeing a sign isn’t among the grounds counted for leniency.

It is unclear whether the driver pursued further action after the fine.

The same rule is in effect in SA, QLD, TAS, NT, WA and VIC.

Well, after all, we’re all human, so there’s bound to be a road rule here and there that we have no clue about.

Here are some stories about some lesser-known road rules that could help save you from those nasty fines:
When it comes to fines, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you’re unaware of the law!

So, what are your thoughts on this? You probably know this rule already, but do you think the woman indeed had a case that she didn’t see any nearby sign prohibiting parking where she did? Why or why not?

Tell us your thoughts below!
This is probably the same story I read about where the woman was house sitting and was allowed the use of the house owner's car. The 3 fines had accumulated before the owner bothered to tell the house sitter about them. I feel certain she would have moved the car if she had been informed. We don't know if the house sitter had used the car or not. From the unsympathetic, nasty and stupid comments I can see the true sadistic Australian spirit is showing through. Also, the bins would have been empty.
 
Last edited:
If you have a driver's licence the onus is on you to know the road rules, end of story.
 
Driving your car is helpful for getting around town quickly, and is often preferred for its increased convenience.

But, if you are a regular driver, you’ll know that finding a spot can be quite a challenge.

To make the most of street parking, it’s always worth familiarising yourself with local regulations, as well as being aware of parking limits wherever you’re parked.



That said, don’t panic too much — road regulations are designed to ensure safety for all and your convenience, clear signs are placed to help you follow the rules.

However, what happens when there are no signs indicating that parking is off-limits? Would it be safe to assume that it’s okay to park?

That’s exactly what one NSW driver in Bondi was wondering after she inadvertently parked her rental car too close to her destination’s dividing line.

Despite her claim that there were no road markings or signs in the area, she was hit with a whopping $849 fine.

Yes, you read that right!


View attachment 13553
The woman took to social media to warn others from making the same mistake. Image Credit: Facebook


It turns out that she was fined $283 thrice for the following offence as detailed on her last fine: ‘parallel park close to dividing line/strip’.

The woman said she had no idea she was even fined in the first place (or the second and third, apparently) until the owner of the rental car she used to drive and park reached out to her about the fine.

‘(The parking rangers) went straight to the (Service NSW) app of the registered owner and it wasn’t until they left the physical paper ticket ... that I was made aware of this,’ she shared to a local Facebook group.

‘So now I have nearly $900 worth of fines for this.’


One thing she was quick to highlight is that she didn’t see any relevant signage telling her she wasn’t allowed to park at the front of the house she stayed in.

'There's no road or street signage, no yellow lines, no indication of any kind that you can't park here .... but it's not allowed,' she said, realising the hefty fines she had been hit with.

‘The dividing line (or strip) they are referring to are the white lines in the middle of the road ... and the rules state that you must be (three) metres away from these lines.’

‘Just wanted to make you aware of this rule as I had no idea, and all of the people I’ve asked haven’t heard of it either so don’t want others to get caught out.’


View attachment 13554
The 3-metre parking rule allows other vehicles enough space to pass. Image Credit: Flickr


Many took to the comments section to share their sympathies, especially as it didn’t look like there was much space to work with in the picture she shared along with her warning.

‘There should be a sign advising no stopping (or) making the road wider,’ a user said.

‘How have any roads even got 3-metre clearance! Especially in the inner West and Eastern (Bondi) suburbs,’ another said.

And there were those who felt she had to pay her due no matter how hefty the price was.

‘Yes that’s the rule, because (there) being double lines, cars cannot go over,’ a user explained. ‘So you’ll need (to) ... ensure the 3-metre (distance) is there, so cars have enough room to go around you without crossing the double lines.’

‘It’s the road rules, you’ll have to cop this one on the chin...’

And another added more bluntly: ‘Pay the fine (and) move on.’

Hopefully, she has an extra $849 lying around somewhere…

Key Takeaways

  • An NSW driver received ‘nearly $900’ in fines for simply parking on the side of the road in what she claimed was an unsigned area.
  • She was fined for parking too close to the dividing line.
  • She says there was reportedly no street signage or any other indicator that cars were not allowed to park there.
  • Many Facebook users also criticised the lack of signage, while others explained that the 3-metre rule applies because cars cannot go over double lines.
According to road rules posted by the NSW Government, drivers are indeed not allowed to park within 3 metres of any double-dividing street lines.

Drivers can also dispute fines in the state, and even nominate other drivers at fault in cases where other parties are involved. However, under the guidelines posted to help determine if a fine is contestable, it is noted that not seeing a sign isn’t among the grounds counted for leniency.

It is unclear whether the driver pursued further action after the fine.

The same rule is in effect in SA, QLD, TAS, NT, WA and VIC.

Well, after all, we’re all human, so there’s bound to be a road rule here and there that we have no clue about.

Here are some stories about some lesser-known road rules that could help save you from those nasty fines:
When it comes to fines, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you’re unaware of the law!

So, what are your thoughts on this? You probably know this rule already, but do you think the woman indeed had a case that she didn’t see any nearby sign prohibiting parking where she did? Why or why not?

Tell us your thoughts below!
I feel sorry for this unfortunate lady, this is an unheard of rule by most people, every person I have asked about it did not know about it, so does that mean we all have to carry a tape measure now too make sure we are over the three meter mark.
Since I read this article a few days ago I have spotted quite a few areas that would be touch and go in my area, I am aware of the other five rules mentioned in the article, but not this parking one which I believe is a bit harsh.
 
Common sense and decency would tell you not to park there, even if there was no road rule. Top marks to the ranger. Not revenue raising, it’s road safety. No sympathy.
 
I think the 3 metres is the distance from the ends of the double lines, not the distance from the side of the car to the lines. This rule applies outside my sister’s house and has caught her guests several times. Please check because it sounds like respondents think the distance is measured from the side of the car to the middle of the road.
???
 
Wonder if the other car parked in fron got booked also. The road is obviuosly not wide enough for parking and the double lines make it even worse. She obviously got fined for doing it on several occassions/days.
 
I believe that everyone now should go through a driving school and not be taught by their parents which a lot of youngsters today seem to do. Some parents pass on their bad habits when driving and unfortunately don’t even know all the road rules themselves.
I have been driving for 50 years and I see road breaches every day by drivers who don’t or haven’t been taught correctly or just have gotten complacent and just drive for the sake of going for a drive!
Parking near double white or yellow lines is not allowed and you should be fined for doing so.
Phones are another issue and I think the fines are too low as accidents happen all the time with drivers not paying attention and these fines should incur a very hefty fine like $2500 for an offence. They won’t do it again!

Just my 10 cents worth!
 

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