Parking, towing and everyday responsibilities

Purpose and essential terms

Parking is keeping a vehicle stationary longer than reasonably necessary for actual loading or unloading of people or goods, subject to the legal definition and circumstances. Remaining in the driver’s seat does not automatically make waiting “not parking”.

A legal parking place must preserve road users’ access and visibility. A car beside a crossing can hide a child; one across a driveway blocks entry; one beside a hydrant prevents emergency access. Check signs, supplementary plates, road markings and the position of the whole vehicle before leaving it.

Key idea: Parking is keeping a vehicle stationary longer than reasonably necessary for actual loading or unloading of people or goods, subject to the legal definition and circumstances.

How to apply the rule

In an urban area, keep at least 5 metres from an intersection and at least 9 metres from the approaching side of a pedestrian crossing. Keep 1.5 metres clear on either side of a fire hydrant on the same side of the road. The crossing distance is measured on its approach side, not as an interchangeable distance in every direction.

Do not obscure a traffic sign, encroach on the sidewalk, block a vehicular entrance or park where stopping is prohibited. Use demarcated bays correctly. The manual also prohibits urban roadway parking on a road less than 5.5 metres wide and on a traffic island, pedestrian mall or pedestrian lane.

Key idea: Reject the space: both intersection clearance and sign visibility are problems.

Conditions and easily confused points

Outside an urban area, the manual prohibits parking on the roadway excluding shoulders, or with any part within 1 metre of the roadway edge. A shoulder still needs assessment for safety and any signed restriction.

Parking restrictions and stopping restrictions differ. A place that prohibits stopping also prohibits parking; a no-parking sign does not by itself mean a passenger-loading stop is safe or permitted under every other rule. Hazard lights do not suspend either restriction.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Purpose and essential terms

Stopping is bringing the vehicle to a standstill. A short passenger pickup can still be a prohibited voluntary stop, even if you keep the engine running. Stopping in a narrow or poorly visible place can leave approaching traffic with too little room to avoid you.

Distinguish a stop you choose for convenience from one needed to obey traffic controls, avoid a collision or respond to circumstances beyond your control. The exceptions exist for those circumstances, not to justify photographs, messages or loading in a dangerous place.

Key idea: Stopping is bringing the vehicle to a standstill.

How to apply the rule

Do not stop voluntarily in a tunnel or subway, on a bridge, or within 6 metres of these structures. Avoid the constricted part of a roadway and the 6-metre approaches to its beginning and end. Do not stop within a railway reserve at a level crossing or within 9 metres on the approach to a demarcated pedestrian crossing.

Also check whether stopping beside an excavation, obstruction or another vehicle would obstruct or endanger traffic. The manual prohibits stopping alongside or opposite another vehicle where the roadway is less than 9 metres wide, and stopping on the right facing oncoming traffic. Obey no-stopping signs and markings.

Key idea: Do not make a voluntary stop on the bridge.

Conditions and easily confused points

The 6-metre bridge clearance is a stopping rule, while the 5-metre urban-intersection distance is a parking rule. Do not substitute one for the other. A voluntary stop is unacceptable anywhere it creates danger or obstruction, even if the place is not named in a short list.

If an emergency forces a stop, protect people, warn traffic when safe and obtain assistance. Do not create a second danger by standing in a live traffic lane.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Purpose and essential terms

A freeway is designated by the appropriate freeway sign. Its higher-speed traffic and restricted access make ordinary roadside activities unsafe. Do not stop voluntarily except in an authorised stopping area. Traffic-control stops and circumstances beyond your control are exceptions, not permission to stop for a map or passenger.

The reference excludes pedestrians in normal circumstances, pedal cycles, animal-drawn vehicles, motorcycles of 50 cc or less and other listed classes. Current treatment of vehicle technologies must be confirmed rather than inferred from a 2012 list.

Key idea: A freeway is designated by the appropriate freeway sign.

How to apply the rule

Keep left and pass on the right as permitted. Check merging traffic and allow safe space; do not block an on-ramp vehicle by accelerating. If you miss an exit, continue to the next permitted exit rather than stopping, reversing or cutting across a separation area.

Towing a disabled vehicle has separate requirements. A motorcycle may not tow another vehicle. A tow rope, chain or bar between vehicles may not exceed 3.5 metres. Rope or chain towing is limited to 30 km/h. The towed steering must be controlled by someone correctly licensed for the vehicle, and the connection and brake requirements must be met.

Key idea: Reject the arrangement: both the listed separation and rope-towing speed exceed the reference limits.

Conditions and easily confused points

A rigid tow-bar can change a particular rope-or-chain restriction, but it does not remove all speed, vehicle-class and passenger rules. Do not assume that switching connection type automatically makes a tow suitable for a freeway. Use qualified recovery where safety or legality is uncertain.

The manual normally restricts a combination to the drawing vehicle and at most two trailers, or one other non-trailer motor vehicle, with a described emergency exception. Vehicle licensing and combination limits still apply.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Purpose and essential terms

A motorcycle’s rider needs a stable position and unobstructed control of the handlebars, brakes, clutch and gears. The manual requires the rider to sit astride the saddle with feet on the front footrests and at least one hand on the handlebars. Safe riding normally uses both hands except when an appropriate control or permitted signal requires otherwise.

Keep the wheels on the road. Holding onto another moving vehicle, carrying an obstructive object in front of you or allowing someone to interfere with the controls creates a serious risk.

Key idea: A motorcycle’s rider needs a stable position and unobstructed control of the handlebars, brakes, clutch and gears.

How to apply the rule

Wear a suitable helmet with the chin strap fastened, check the headlamp and other equipment, and secure luggage in suitable carriers. A learner may not carry a pillion passenger. For licensed riders, passenger arrangements still depend on legal and vehicle requirements; a spare helmet alone does not establish that a passenger may be carried.

Ride single file as required, with the reference exception for overtaking another motorcycle. Do not have two motorcycles overtake another vehicle at the same time. Make every manoeuvre with observation and enough clearance, rather than relying on the motorcycle’s small size.

Key idea: Do not carry the friend as a pillion passenger.

Conditions and easily confused points

A learner under 18 is limited to a motorcycle not exceeding 125 cc. The no-pillion learner condition is separate from that capacity limit.

The reference requires a sidecar to be attached on the left and prohibits sidecars on motorcycles below the specified engine capacity. A sidecar changes handling and space needs; it is not interchangeable with a pillion seat.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Quick recap

• Reject the space: both intersection clearance and sign visibility are problems.
• Find a signed or otherwise permitted place that preserves all required clearances.
• Park within the allowed area and secure the vehicle.
• Do not make a voluntary stop on the bridge.
• Continue to a permitted place beyond the restricted approach.
• Check traffic and the passenger’s exit route before stopping.