About driving
Stopping and parking
How to park safely
It's not only moving vehicles that are potential hazards on the road. Parked vehicles can be hazards too. That's why it's important to follow the safe parking rules and guidelines shown in this section.
Safe parking rules
By law, you must follow these rules when parking:
- Indicate for at least three seconds before slowing down to park.
- Park parallel to the road and as close to the left as possible, unless you are parking in an area where angle parking is permitted. There will be lines on the road (or signs) to show where you can angle park. Note: most angle parks will be too small for a heavy vehicle.
- Move as far off the road as possible when stopping or parking on a road with fast-moving traffic.
- Always check for passing vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians before opening your door.
- Be careful when pulling out of a parking space. Don't forget to:
- check for vehicles
- signal for at least three seconds before pulling out.
- Heavy motor vehicles and vehicles fitted with a flat deck or tray for carrying goods that are parked on the street at night must display a rear-facing red light that:
- is on the side of the vehicle closest to the centre of the road
- is visible at a distance of 100 metres.
- Goods service vehicles parked on a roadway at night must have a red light on projecting loads that extend more than 1.5 metres behind the vehicle.
Safety tip
When there is lots of traffic, it's a good idea to get out of your vehicle on the side away from the traffic.
Safe parking guidelines
Following the guidelines below will ensure that when you park your vehicle it won't move forward or backward.
- Fully apply the parking brake, making sure it is the correct brake and not a hill-start brake, bus-stop brake or other similar device.
- If towing a trailer, make sure its yard-release valve is not in the release position.
- When parking uphill on a steep road:
- turn the front wheels away from the kerb
- leave your vehicle in first gear if it's manual or in park if it's automatic.
- When parking downhill on a steep road:
- turn the front wheels towards the kerb
- leave your vehicle in reverse gear if it's manual or in park if it's automatic.