Parking rules: where you may not park

Where may you not park on any public road?

You may not park a vehicle on the roadway of a public road:

• in any place where stopping is not permitted
• against what a road traffic sign says
• on the same side as a fire hydrant, within 1,5 metres on either side of the hydrant
• where your vehicle would obscure (hide) a road traffic sign
• so that your vehicle encroaches on (sticks out onto) the sidewalk
• so that it obstructs a private or public entrance for vehicles

Where may you not park outside an urban area?

Outside an urban area (out of town), you may not park on any part of the roadway. For this rule, the shoulders are not counted as part of the roadway.

You also may not park with any part of your vehicle within 1 metre of the edge of the roadway.

Where may you not park in an urban area?

In an urban area (in town), you may not park on the roadway:

• within 9 metres of a pedestrian crossing, on the side from which you approach it
• within 5 metres of any intersection
• on or over the actuating mechanism of a traffic signal (the part in the road that works the traffic light)
• with the outside of any left-hand wheel more than 450 millimetres within the roadway
• where the roadway is less than 5,5 metres wide

You also may not park on a traffic island, in a pedestrian mall or in a pedestrian lane.

When are you allowed to park in these places?

There are two exceptions. You may park there when a traffic officer directs you to, or for a reason beyond your control.

When is a vehicle deemed abandoned?

A vehicle left in the same place on a public road for too long is deemed (taken) to be abandoned by its owner. The continuous period is more than 24 hours outside an urban area and more than 7 days within an urban area.

Numbers to remember

• 1,5 metres on either side of a fire hydrant: no parking
• 1 metre: outside an urban area, no part of a parked vehicle may be this close to the edge of the roadway
• 9 metres before a pedestrian crossing, in an urban area: no parking
• 5 metres from any intersection, in an urban area: no parking
• 450 millimetres: the most a left-hand wheel may be within the roadway, in an urban area
• 5,5 metres: no parking on a narrower roadway, in an urban area
• More than 24 hours in the same place outside an urban area: vehicle deemed abandoned
• More than 7 days in the same place within an urban area: vehicle deemed abandoned

Mistakes learners make

• Mixing up 9 metres and 5 metres. It is 9 metres for a pedestrian crossing and 5 metres for an intersection.
• Swapping the abandoned vehicle periods. It is 24 hours outside an urban area and 7 days within one.
• Reading 450 millimetres as a gap you must leave. It is the most your left-hand wheels may be within the roadway.

Test yourself

1. Question 1

   You wish to park on the roadway of a public road at a place where stopping is not permitted. What does the law provide?

   • A Parking is permitted for a short period
   • B Parking is permitted outside business hours
   • C Parking is prohibited at that place
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Parking is prohibited at that place

   You may not park where stopping is not allowed.

2. Question 2

   Within what distance on either side of a fire hydrant may a vehicle not be parked on the same side of the road as the hydrant?

   • A 1,5 metres
   • B 5 metres
   • C 9 metres
   Show answer

   Answer: A: 1,5 metres

   You may not park within 1,5 metres on either side of a fire hydrant.

3. Question 3

   A vehicle may not be parked on the roadway of a public road in any place where it would obscure what?

   • A A road traffic sign
   • B An advertising board
   • C A shop window
   Show answer

   Answer: A: A road traffic sign

   You may not park where your vehicle would hide a road traffic sign.

4. Question 4

   You are parking beside the kerb on the roadway of a narrow public road. How must your vehicle be positioned in relation to the sidewalk?

   • A With two wheels on the sidewalk, to leave room for traffic
   • B So that it does not encroach upon the sidewalk
   • C Fully on the sidewalk, clear of the roadway
   Show answer

   Answer: B: So that it does not encroach upon the sidewalk

   You may not park so that your vehicle sticks out onto the sidewalk.

5. Question 5

   Certain manners of parking on the roadway of a public road are prohibited. Which ONE of the following is NOT one of them?

   • A Parking so as to obstruct a private vehicular entrance
   • B Parking so as to obstruct a public vehicular entrance
   • C Parking clear of all vehicular entrances and the sidewalk
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Parking clear of all vehicular entrances and the sidewalk

   You may not block any entrance for vehicles, whether it is private or public.

6. Question 6

   You are travelling on a public road outside an urban area and wish to park. On which portion of the roadway is parking permitted?

   • A On no portion of the roadway
   • B On the left-hand lane of the roadway
   • C On any portion, provided the hazard lights are on
   Show answer

   Answer: A: On no portion of the roadway

   Out of town you may not park on any part of the roadway.