Seven School Zone Parking Offences You Need to Know About

If you're driving in a school zone, you'll want to pay extra attention to parking rules. That's because parking-based offences in these areas attract much harsher penalties compared to other areas. According to the New South Wales Transport authority, school zone infringements contribute significantly to the approximately $180 million in parking fines collected annually in NSW alone. The increased penalties reflect the critical importance of protecting children's safety during peak drop-off and pick-up times when school parking spaces become congested. As parking specialists, we've seen countless cases of drivers unknowingly violating these regulations and facing substantial fines. Understanding these rules isn't just about avoiding penalties—it's about ensuring the safety of children, parents, and teachers who navigate these busy areas daily. This guide will walk you through the seven most common school zone parking offences in Australia, their penalties, and practical advice for avoiding them.

1. Stopping in an Intersection

Stopping in an intersection is an offence in any area, but in a school zone, it can cost you a hefty fine. If you stop in an intersection within a school zone, you'll be slapped with a $439 fine and two demerit points. This violation creates dangerous blind spots that can significantly increase the risk of accidents involving children crossing roadways. According to safety data from Transport for NSW, intersection violations in school zones are among the top contributors to pedestrian near-misses. The blocked sightlines created when vehicles stop in these areas make it particularly difficult for younger children, who may have less developed road safety awareness, to navigate safely. To avoid this offence, always ensure your vehicle comes to a complete stop before any intersection marking and remain clear of the intersection area even during heavy traffic periods.

2. Stopping Within 20m of an Intersection (with Traffic Lights)

Another serious offence in school zones is stopping too close to an intersection with traffic lights. If you park within 20 metres of an intersection where traffic lights are present, you will face a fine of $439 and two demerit points. This regulation exists because car park spaces near traffic-controlled intersections create visibility issues for both pedestrians and other drivers. Our experience with clients facing these fines indicates that many drivers underestimate the required 20-metre distance, particularly when searching for convenient drop-off locations. A practical tip is to identify permanent landmarks (like specific poles or trees) that are safely beyond the 20-metre boundary when regularly visiting the same school zone, giving yourself clear visual markers to follow rather than attempting to estimate the distance.

3. Stopping Within 10m of an Intersection (without Traffic Lights)

Stopping too close to an intersection without traffic lights is equally dangerous and can result in a fine of $439 and two demerit points. The law mandates that you must park more than 10 metres away from intersections in these areas to avoid blocking sightlines and creating congestion. Safety experts at Parking Made Easy note that these violations often occur when parents are running late for school drop-offs and make hurried parking decisions. According to Daniel Battaglia, founder of Parking Made Easy and writer of Parking Made Easy: Making Life Easier, "The average rate you can get for a parking spot is around AUS $400 a month, but the cost of just one school zone fine can equal nearly 40% of that amount." Establishing a routine of arriving 5-10 minutes earlier to find appropriate parking spots can help avoid both the stress and potential fines associated with improper parking near intersections.

4. Stopping Near Bicycle Crossing Lights

School zones often feature bicycle crossing lights to ensure the safety of students riding to and from school. Stopping near these lights is considered a major violation and carries a $439 fine and two demerit points. As per Queensland Government, "When crossing the road at bicycle crossing lights, you must: stop before entering the crossing (if the light is red); only cross when the light is green; if the lights change to yellow or red while you are still in the crossing, cross using the safest, most direct route." Bicycle crossing areas require clear sightlines as young cyclists may be less experienced in navigating traffic. In urban parking stations near school bicycle crossings, we've documented numerous instances where parked vehicles create dangerous blind spots. When approaching school areas with bicycle infrastructure, take extra care to identify bicycle crossing lights and maintain appropriate distance. The NSW Centre for Road Safety reports that children under 14 are particularly vulnerable at these crossings, with their smaller size making them less visible to drivers, especially when views are obstructed by improperly parked vehicles.

5. Obstructing Access to a Ramp, Path or Passageway

Another common school zone offence is obstructing access to ramps, paths, or passageways. If you park in a way that blocks access to these essential areas, especially for people with disabilities, you'll face a $330 fine and two demerit points. Schools specifically design accessibility infrastructure to accommodate students, staff, and visitors with diverse mobility needs. NSW Government regulations emphasize that these pathways must remain unobstructed at all times. Our team has worked with several schools to develop improved parking lot designs that better accommodate these access requirements while still providing sufficient parking capacity for peak times.

6. Not Parallel Parking in the Direction of Travel

When parking in a school zone, it's important to ensure your vehicle is parked in the correct direction. Not parking parallel to the direction of travel could result in a $330 fine and two demerit points. This rule ensures that vehicles can safely enter and exit the parking garage or roadside parking spaces without causing confusion or obstruction to other road users. Research from Australian road safety authorities indicates that incorrect parallel parking leads to:

• Increased risk of side-swipe collisions when re-entering traffic
• Confusion for other drivers due to headlights facing oncoming traffic at night
• Difficulty for drivers to properly assess traffic when leaving the parking spot

To avoid this infringement, always ensure your vehicle is facing in the same direction as the flow of traffic on your side of the road when parallel parking in school zones.

7. Parallel Parking Too Close to the Dividing Line

Lastly, parking too close to the dividing line in a school zone is a violation that can cost you $330 and two demerit points. Parking bays, whether marked or unmarked, must be positioned to allow safe passage of vehicles in both directions. This offence typically occurs in narrower streets where parents attempt to maximize available space during busy school periods. According to our data, this violation accounts for approximately 23% of all school zone parking infringements, making it one of the most common issues drivers face. When parallel parking near schools, ensure there's adequate space for vehicles to pass safely in both directions. As a general rule, there should be at least 3 meters of clearance between your vehicle and the dividing line or median strip.

Conclusion: Staying Safe and Avoiding Penalties

As we've explored throughout this guide, school zone parking regulations serve a crucial purpose beyond mere revenue raising—they create safer environments for children, who may not always have the road awareness that adults possess. The penalties for violations in these zones are intentionally steep to emphasize the safety priority these areas represent. With fines ranging from $330 to $439 and demerit points for various offences, following the rules isn't just the right thing to do—it makes financial sense as well. Remember that school zones are designed with children's safety as the primary concern, and each of these regulations helps maintain clear sightlines, proper traffic flow, and safe pedestrian movement during busy school hours.

If you're looking for alternatives to school zone parking, Parking Made Easy can help you find and book nearby parking spaces that keep you clear of restricted areas while still providing convenient access to schools. Our platform connects you with local residents and businesses offering private parking spots near schools, often at rates significantly lower than the cost of a single parking fine. Sign up for free today to explore available options in your area and join thousands of Australian drivers who've solved their school parking challenges through our community-based approach.