Why this British expat is questioning Australia’s parking laws after a $272 fine

A simple parking mistake led to a jaw-dropping fine, but it wasn’t just any error—it was a collision of cultures and road rules.

What seemed like an innocent parking spot for a British expat in Australia turned into an expensive lesson in local driving laws.

The surprising outcome highlights just how different rules can be when it comes to parking, and how easily a tourist could fall foul of them.


A British man got an unexpected lesson in Aussie road rules when he was slapped with a hefty $272 fine during a beach day in New South Wales.

The expat, who recently moved from the UK to Sydney, had parked his rental car at a beach spot along the South Coast.

Thinking he’d scored a prime parking space, he was caught off guard when he returned to his car and found a parking fine.


compressed-image1 (3).jpeg
British expat fined $272 for parking mistake in Australia. Image source: Tiktok/Archoz_2025


‘Here’s one for ya, never heard of this before,’ he said in a social media video.

‘Parked at the beach all day, checked where we parked and it didn’t say anything about no parking, come back and I’ve got a ticket.’

Puzzled by the fine, he spoke to locals to figure out where he went wrong.

It quickly became clear, especially to Aussies, why the parking violation was issued.

The Suzuki was parked facing the wrong way, head-to-head with another car.

‘I’ve literally never heard of it, in the UK you can pretty much park how you want as long as you’re allowed to park there,’ he admitted.

‘I suppose it does make sense though!’


However, the man had also unknowingly breached a second road rule.

A red fire hydrant sat on the footpath next to his car, and blocking access to it is a violation.

In Australia, it is illegal to park within one metre of a fire hydrant, ensuring emergency access is always clear.

The Shoalhaven City Council issued the ticket, with the fine to be sent by Revenue NSW.

‘So just a little tip if you’re coming to Australia and you do rent a car, this has probably cost me 100 quid,’ the commenter said.

Parking in the wrong direction in New South Wales can result in fines of up to $136.


The same penalty applies for stopping near a fire hydrant, which means the British man could face a combined fine of $272 for his two mistakes.

In the UK, parking against the flow of traffic is legal during the day but becomes an offence at night, and enforcement tends to be lax.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury explained that foreign road rules can vary and drivers need to research them before hitting the road.

‘You don’t really need to know why they’re there — you just need to abide by them,’ he said.

He continued: ‘You take a risk by driving in a foreign country and not understanding the road rules so we always encourage people to do their research before they go and drive in another country because there are these sorts of inconsistencies.’

‘So you can park facing the other direction in the UK, you can’t in Australia. Why? It doesn’t really matter, that’s the law you’ve got to abide by it.’


Khoury noted that parking the wrong way could be linked to safety concerns, such as drivers potentially entering oncoming traffic to park.

NRMA road safety expert Dimitra Vlahomitros also highlighted the risks of parking the wrong way.

‘Parking on the wrong side of the road is never a good idea, particularly at night when visibility is reduced,’ she explained.

‘It can add to congestion, when motorists are forced to pull out of their parking space into oncoming traffic.’



Watch the full video below.


Source: Tiktok/Archoz_2025


Key Takeaways
  • A British expat was hit with a $272 fine for unknowingly breaking two Australian road rules while parking his rental car near a beach in New South Wales.
  • The man had parked his car facing the wrong direction, which is illegal in Australia, and blocked access to a fire hydrant, violating another road rule.
  • He was shocked by the fine, as UK parking laws differ, allowing drivers to park against the flow of traffic during the day, but he learned the importance of researching foreign road rules.
  • Experts explained that parking the wrong way is a safety hazard and could cause congestion, particularly when pulling out into oncoming traffic.

Have you ever been caught off guard by a surprising driving law in a foreign country? Share your experiences in the comments below.
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
Just because it's OK to do things on the road in your country does mean it's OK in other countries and then whinge about doing wrong. If an expat moves here then it's their responsibility to learn the rules. Surely he would've noticed that no other car is parked like his and you ant park in front of a fire hydrant in England too so just having a whinge for nothing.
 
I live on the south coast and this guy has got to be unlucky. In my street in Nowra people park all over and in the wrong direction on a daily basis. Been happening for years and have never seen a parking ticket handed out yet. Never seen the council ranger either. The Police drive by occasionally but never stop even after having to stop to give way to others because of illegal parking.
 
I have numerous run ins with the clowns at Shoalhaven Shitty Council with regards to illegally issued "fines" and "charges" and have never lost when contested.

The best parking instance was when parking a Department of Community Services vehicle in a disabled spot with a valid disability permit, yet still issued with an infringement notice.

The reason you ask? According to the dopey council ranger, me as an able bodied person, alighted from the vehicle while the disabled client stayed in the vehicle, refusing to accompany me!

Off to see the head ranger (Colin Waller?) and I clearly stated that there was no legal requirement for a person with a disability to get out of the vehicle when parked as such.

The "fine" was immediately quashed!
 
I live on the south coast and this guy has got to be unlucky. In my street in Nowra people park all over and in the wrong direction on a daily basis. Been happening for years and have never seen a parking ticket handed out yet. Never seen the council ranger either. The Police drive by occasionally but never stop even after having to stop to give way to others because of illegal parking.
No excuse for this guy’s parking. Common sense.
 
Yes I know it's common in the UK but how do you see past the other vehicles to see who's coming when pulling out. Particularly bicycles, would be very hard to see through other vehicles, maybe a van, 4wd, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezzy and hinda
I live on the south coast and this guy has got to be unlucky. In my street in Nowra people park all over and in the wrong direction on a daily basis. Been happening for years and have never seen a parking ticket handed out yet. Never seen the council ranger either. The Police drive by occasionally but never stop even after having to stop to give way to others because of illegal parking.
My daughter lives in south Nowra Worrigee and every time I've gone down there I have only seen cars parked the right way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezzy
I didn't know anything about this when I first came here. I used to go to my sons road, turn round at the cul de sac part and parked outside his house with the driver door next to the kerb, and facing the way I wanted to go out of the road. Also done it at many places where I used to park. Never had any problem and only changed when I read articles like this.
 
I have numerous run ins with the clowns at Shoalhaven Shitty Council with regards to illegally issued "fines" and "charges" and have never lost when contested.

The best parking instance was when parking a Department of Community Services vehicle in a disabled spot with a valid disability permit, yet still issued with an infringement notice.

The reason you ask? According to the dopey council ranger, me as an able bodied person, alighted from the vehicle while the disabled client stayed in the vehicle, refusing to accompany me!

Off to see the head ranger (Colin Waller?) and I clearly stated that there was no legal requirement for a person with a disability to get out of the vehicle when parked as such.

The "fine" was immediately quashed!
but just because you walked form the car does not mean you are automatically not disabled. You may have had a any of the myraid of diseases that aren't seen.
 
We were in Ireland and noticing the way they parked. One day parking was 3 deep on a main road in the town. We went into the shop and my husband said " I've just seen it all, There is a car parked 3 deep out there" An answer came from the supermarket aisles, " It is mine. What do you want to do about it?"
The person was one of the local policemen .
 
I live on the south coast and this guy has got to be unlucky. In my street in Nowra people park all over and in the wrong direction on a daily basis. Been happening for years and have never seen a parking ticket handed out yet. Never seen the council ranger either. The Police drive by occasionally but never stop even after having to stop to give way to others because of illegal parking.
The fire hydrant must have done it. Not unlucky, just not as bright as the red hydrant.
 
This is Australia. The Albosleazy government loves revenue. Get used to it mate.
 
We were in Ireland and noticing the way they parked. One day parking was 3 deep on a main road in the town. We went into the shop and my husband said " I've just seen it all, There is a car parked 3 deep out there" An answer came from the supermarket aisles, " It is mine. What do you want to do about it?"
The person was one of the local policemen .
😲
 
Being aware of a countries road rules before visiting there is very important. Saves you looking stupid at some time during the visit.

On a tour years ago we were in a bus on an island where people drove on the right hand side of the road. One of the tourists on the bus, obviously used to driving on the left side, yelled out in a concerned voice, 'she (the driver) is driving on the wrong side of the road'.
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×