Parking on driveway for extended periods

cuteseal on 28/03/2022 - 12:35
Last edited 28/03/2022 - 12:36

Edit: Case closed, thanks JV.

Hello Oz-Road Rules,

Just wondering what the rules are about parking on the "driveway" in the diagram below. Can someone point me to any rules that would be broken if I parked like this for extended periods?
https://imgur.com/a/tkmOI4T

  1. I am in VIC
  2. Nature strip is wide so my car fits completely in the "driveway" and doesn't obstruct the footpath or road
  3. When car is parked there, it does not affect access for my neighbour

Regarding reasoning - I only have room for 1 car on my property and usually park my 2nd car on the street.
However it's a well used road so I've had my mirrors swiped and also had a drunk driver crash into the back of my parked car in the middle of the night.

Anyway was wondering if there was any issue in parking my car overnight in that space.
On the flipside I don't see other people doing it, apart from short periods like picking up/dropping off or washing cars so was wondering if there was any rules against doing so.

Thanks!

Edit: Case closed, thanks JV.

Automotive

closed Comments

  • jv on 28/03/2022 - 12:39
    +7

    You can't block a driveway, even if it's your own.

    Most councils will book you if someone reports it.

    https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/transport/cars/road-rules-….

    Thread closed.

    • cuteseal on 28/03/2022 - 12:42
      +1

      Great, that clears it up, thank you!

      Case closed, your honour!

    • cuteseal on 28/03/2022 - 12:45
      -1

      Actually, reading that more, I find it interesting that the reason given is

      Why: Parking on driveways obstructs the footpath, affecting children, parents with prams, the elderly, vision-impaired pedestrians or those with mobility issues. A car parked across a driveway will force children riding bikes and scooters along the footpath onto the road or into your driveway crossover as they pass.

      So technically I'm not blocking the footpath.
      BUT I will err on the side of caution anyway and won't park there.

      • trapper on 28/03/2022 - 12:52
        +3

        At a risk of only $99 fine I would just park there and not worry about it.

        You are very unlikely to have any complaint or fine when you are not obstructing the actual footpath.

        Do ensure your car does not block the footpath by even one millimetre though.

        • lordezekiel on 28/03/2022 - 14:27

          You one of those people that runs red lights and speeds as well because you probably wont get caught/fined?

          • ThithLord on 28/03/2022 - 14:49
            +1

            @lordezekiel: yeah they probably commit grevious bodily harm as well, right lordezekiel? There's no limit to their depravity if they're willing to risk a $99 fine just to park neatly in front of their own residence

      • jv on 28/03/2022 - 12:53

        So technically I'm not blocking the footpath.

        "Rule: Unless you’re dropping off or picking up passengers, you can’t legally park on or across a driveway – even your own. "

        Even parked on the road, you can get fined…

      • Caped Baldy on 28/03/2022 - 14:30

        Also emergency vehicles.

    • kerfuffle on 28/03/2022 - 12:48
      +1

      Not Victoria, but also the same in Sydney. The fine appears to be 2.5 times more than what it is in VIC

      • Caped Baldy on 28/03/2022 - 14:29

        Hmm, tempting. I might need to report my (profanity) neighbour.

    • Drakesy on 28/03/2022 - 14:05

      I think their reasoning is a bit confusing in that explanation.
      They're inferring that the car parked on the driveway is inhibiting the path, which this isn't.

      However on face value a council ranger would see it as someone's car impeding access to the road and ticket it, even if it is yours.

      • jv on 28/03/2022 - 14:10

        They're inferring that the car parked on the driveway is inhibiting the path, which this isn't.

        Cars parked on driveways often block part or all of the footpath.
        That is just one reason why you cannot block a driveway.

        Regardless of whether you are blocking the footpath or not is irrelevant as the law says you cannot block a driveway.

  • Xistn on 28/03/2022 - 12:46
    +1

    Driveways also need to remain clear at all times for access requirements, turning manoeuvres and emergency vehicle access. from a Council here in Vic.

    I'll also note where you want to park (from your diagram) your Vehicle isnt in your driveway, you can only park within your private property

    • cuteseal on 28/03/2022 - 12:54

      Good reasoning, thank you.
      I used "driveway" in quotes as I wasn't sure what the proper term is. But yes I understand that the footpath and that "driveway" area isn't part of my property.

  • 87percent on 28/03/2022 - 12:47

    what about people who park 1/2 their car on a footpath?? there's a street near me, and nearly all the cars park like this.

    (as in they park their cars with the passenger side wheels on the footpath, and then driver side wheels on the road - nature strip is very small)

    • cuteseal on 28/03/2022 - 12:51

      You mean 1/2 on their property and 1/2 on the footpath?
      I think blocking the footpath is pretty inconsiderate as my kids bike on them all the time and they have to go onto the road.

      Edit: oh wait you mean they park over the nature strip? Pretty sure that's illegal.

      • trapper on 28/03/2022 - 12:55
        +1

        He means half on the road, half on the footpath. Usually because the road is skinny and it makes it easier for traffic to pass.

    • jv on 28/03/2022 - 12:55
      +2

      and nearly all the cars park like this.

      Call your council and complain, they won't hesitate to send someone out there to make themselves some more money

      • trapper on 28/03/2022 - 13:22

        Call your council and complain

        No, don't do this.

        If it is causing you a particular problem then sure you can complain… but don't just go around being a prick trying to get people in trouble for no reason.

        • jv on 28/03/2022 - 13:25

          No, don't do this.

          Yes, do this…

          Otherwise the Council parking officer won't be earning their pay…

        • 87percent on 28/03/2022 - 13:46
          +2

          well it is a nuisance.. was baby sitting my niece, and we decided to take her for walk in the stroller but because of the cars parked on the street, we couldn't walk down the footpath

          • trapper on 28/03/2022 - 15:44

            @87percent: If it is a nuisance then complain, I said that.

  • MS Paint on 28/03/2022 - 12:56
    +1

    The crossover is just an access point within the nature strip to gain access to your driveway.

    You can't park there but, given the dimensions of your crossover, I would just take the risk.

    There are plenty of inner suburbs with limited off street parking and on street parking is fiercely protected. If you are creating a spare parking spot on the street I highly doubt a neighbour will report you.

    • cuteseal on 28/03/2022 - 13:00

      Ah cool, "crossover" … so that's the proper term.

      • MS Paint on 28/03/2022 - 13:02

        Yep.

        Source

        Are you in the inner west of Melbourne? Plenty of suburbs there with deep nature strips and limited parking.

        • cuteseal on 28/03/2022 - 13:24

          No, north east. There’s plenty of roadside parking, so that’s not an issue.

          I don’t see anyone else parking on the crossover so would be concerned about getting reported. Haha.

  • rektrading on 28/03/2022 - 13:12
    -3

    Removing the number plates or they getting stolen will help with parking.

  • Drakesy on 28/03/2022 - 14:03

    I can't see anything wrong with this, provided you're not encroaching on the footpath or the road it would be fine.

    It's akin to parking on a verge long term i guess which happens a fair bit in my area, as long as it's your verge (not a crossover). Would prefer this than parking on the road.
    Neighbour has been doing this for years (rear garage is full of crap so they don't use it to park their car) never been fined.
    However i do get the reasoning in that the car could belong to anyone and therefore be impeding the property owner's access to the road - this would result in a fine.

    Also the reason why our streets are so full of superfluous cars.

  • Euphemistic on 28/03/2022 - 15:31

    It’s also illegal to park with one half up on the nature strip and other half on the road. You are supposed to park either completely on the road (not blocking a driveway) or completely within your property.

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