Parking signs Common parking signs A range of common parking signs tell you where you can and can’t park. Read parking signs carefully and pay attention to time restrictions. Parking signs are designed to be read top down, left to right. While the most important restrictions are often at the top of the parking sign, it is important to read the whole sign and determine what restrictions apply to you, and the duration of your parking session. Time limits The P stands for parking, and the number tells you how long you can park here in hours. The times below tell you when this sign applies. Your time starts when your car stops in the parking bay, not when you leave the car. This sign says you can park for one hour (1P), between 7:30 am and 6:30 pm Monday to Friday, and between 7:30 am and 12:30 pm Saturday. You may be able to park for longer outside these times, but check for other sign panels (such as a clearway sign – see below). Once you’ve reached one hour, you can’t just buy another ticket or re-feed the meter. You must move your car out of the length of road or out of the area that the sign applies to. No parking You can stop here for up to two minutes* (or the time limit shown on the sign) to pick up or drop off passengers or goods. You must stay within three metres of your car. * Note: A permit holder of a parking permit for people with disabilities can stop for up to five minutes. No stopping You can’t stop here, even briefly. The same applies if there’s a continuous yellow line on the edge of the road. Clearways You can’t stop in a clearway during times on the sign unless you’re driving a public bus, a minibus or a taxi dropping off or picking up passengers. Tow-away zones If you park here during the times on the sign, your car will be towed away. You may have to pay a fine, and you’ll have to pay extra (such as the cost of towing and storing your car) to get your car back.
Special zones There are some zones where you may not be able to park or where you need to display a permit from your local council. Make sure you read the sign carefully from top to bottom to get all the information you need. Permit This sign means that you need to display a permit to park here. Local residents can apply to the council for a resident’s permit and usually pay an annual fee. Your permit only lets you park in a particular area; you can’t park in other permit zones. Safety zones Safety zones around tram stops allow passengers to get on and off safely. You can’t stop within 10 metres before or after a safety zone sign unless a sign says you can. Special vehicles This sign only public buses can stop here. There are other signs that say the same for taxis and trucks. Works zones This sign means you can’t stop here during the times on the sign unless you’re driving a vehicle used in construction work in the works zone. Parking Reserved for People with Disabilities You may only park here if you (or your passenger) have a blue and white parking permit for people with disabilities. Councils issue two types of parking permits: blue and white and green and white. Both permit holders may park in ordinary parking spaces for twice as long. But if you park in an area requiring payment, the driver must pay the initial parking fee unless the instructions on the parking machine exempt permit holders from payment. E.g. if parking in a 1P paid parking area, the driver must pay for the full hour and may park for up to two hours All permits must be displayed at the left side or centre of your front windscreen with your permit number and expiry date visible from the outside. Also, be prepared to give your name and address, and show your driver licence to the police or a parking inspector if requested. Mail zones This sign means that only on-duty Australia Post employees and contractors can stop here. Loading You can’t stop or park unless you are driving:
21 days to respond $$$ If you did not pay or challenge the fine after receiving the penalty reminder notice, you will receive a notice of final demand. The amount you need to pay will increase again Power to enforce If no payment is made after 21 days, enforcement action may be taken. The Director of Fines Victoria may: suspend or prevent you from renewing your driver licence suspend or prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration make deductions from your bank account, wages or money owed to you place a charge on your land, or sell your charged land. Pay the fine and any extra costs. Apply for more time to pay or to pay by instalments – . to have the fine reviewed – . Apply for a Work and Development Permit – . Apply under the Family Violence Scheme – . 4 Infringement warrant issued 7 days to respond after being served with a seven-day notice. $$$$ or property seized If you ignore the notice of final demand and don’t pay your fine, or you stop making payments under a payment plan/ arrangement, an enforcement warrant may be issued against you. The amount of your fine will increase again. If an enforcement warrant is issued against you, the sheriff can wheel clamp or seize your vehicle, sell your vehicle (after giving 14 days’ notice), or remove your licence plates. Pay the fine and any extra costs. Before the seven-day notice period expires, you can: for more time to pay or to pay by instalments – . Apply to have the fine reviewed. Apply for a Work and Development Permit – . under the Family Violence Scheme – .