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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Parking places and required clearances

Understand the rule, its conditions and how to apply it

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

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.

Worked road situation

A space is 4 metres from an urban intersection and would partly hide a sign.

  1. Reject the space: both intersection clearance and sign visibility are problems.
  2. Find a signed or otherwise permitted place that preserves all required clearances.
  3. Park within the allowed area and secure the vehicle.

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.

Practice questions on parking places and required clearances

1 May you park across a driveway if you leave your phone number?

  1. Yes, if you leave a phone number
  2. Yes, for less than five minutes
  3. No, you must not obstruct a vehicular entrance
Show the answer

Answer C: No, you must not obstruct a vehicular entrance

Parking must not block an entrance, obscure a sign or encroach on the pavement. In an urban area, keep at least 5 metres from an intersection and 9 metres from the approach side of a pedestrian crossing. Keep 1.5 metres clear on either side of a fire hydrant.

Memory tip: Check access, signs and distance before parking.

All vehicle codes

2 May a parked vehicle hide a road traffic sign?

  1. Yes, if the sign is small
  2. Yes, outside rush hour
  3. No, parking must not obscure a traffic sign
Show the answer

Answer C: No, parking must not obscure a traffic sign

Parking must not block an entrance, obscure a sign or encroach on the pavement. In an urban area, keep at least 5 metres from an intersection and 9 metres from the approach side of a pedestrian crossing. Keep 1.5 metres clear on either side of a fire hydrant.

Memory tip: Check access, signs and distance before parking.

All vehicle codes

3 How far from an urban intersection must you keep when parking?

  1. At least 2 metres
  2. At least 1 metre
  3. At least 5 metres
Show the answer

Answer C: At least 5 metres

Parking must not block an entrance, obscure a sign or encroach on the pavement. In an urban area, keep at least 5 metres from an intersection and 9 metres from the approach side of a pedestrian crossing. Keep 1.5 metres clear on either side of a fire hydrant.

Memory tip: Check access, signs and distance before parking.

All vehicle codes

4 How far must you keep from the approach side of an urban pedestrian crossing?

  1. At least 3 metres
  2. At least 5 metres
  3. At least 9 metres
Show the answer

Answer C: At least 9 metres

Parking must not block an entrance, obscure a sign or encroach on the pavement. In an urban area, keep at least 5 metres from an intersection and 9 metres from the approach side of a pedestrian crossing. Keep 1.5 metres clear on either side of a fire hydrant.

Memory tip: Check access, signs and distance before parking.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Parking and stopping

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF p. 35, section 6.47; iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference).

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.