Is it illegal to park across two parking spaces?

You’re parking your car and you’re only just over the line – that’s okay, right? 

The marked lines are there as a guide that some drivers ignore, forcing others to cross over into the next parking spot. 

Additionally, some drivers own large cars or utes that can’t fit into a single parking space.

To find out if there are any exceptions to the rule, we spoke to road authorities and police representatives from each state.

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Regulation 211 of the Australian Road Rules states that, where parking spaces are marked on the road, you must not take up more than a single space, unless your vehicle is longer or wider than the length of space. 

If your vehicle is too large, you must only take up as few spots as necessary. 

“The fine for breaking this rule is $57, however local governments have the power to set their own fines for parking offences and so this may differ in some areas,” a spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told Drive.

Spoiler alert, it’s not only Queensland  that follows this rule, but the penalties will vary from state to state.

“It is not legal to park across two parking spaces, but it would all depend on the circumstances,” a spokesperson for NSW Police told Drive.

“In parking bays, which are controlled by council, a vehicle that has not parked wholly within a parking bay or that is using more parking bays than necessary can incur a penalty of $86.”

Special parking exemptions or permits can be applied for under the Road Transport (General) Regulations through your local council if you have an oversized vehicle which may have a trailer attached.

“There is no defence or exemption that permits someone to park illegally due to the behaviour of another driver, including if another vehicle is blocking part of a parking space or has parked across multiple spaces,” a spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport told Drive.

A breach of rule 211 attracts an expiation fee of $56, and a maximum penalty of up to $1250.

“We encourage all road users to share the road safely and be considerate of other motorists – including adhering to parking requirements,” a spokesperson for Victoria’s  Department of Transport and Planning told Drive. 

“The offence is infringeable, so if someone were to receive an infringement notice the current penalty is $37. The maximum penalty associated with non-compliance with this road rule is three penalty units, or $555.”

No, it is not legal to park across two spaces in Western Australia. If your vehicle is too wide or long, you may only take up the minimum amount of parking bays to be able to park your vehicle.

As in other states, Tasmania follows Road Rule 211 which says it is not legal to park across two spaces, and currently attracts one penalty unit (a fine of $181, set annually by the Department of Justice).

“We encourage people to obey parking rules, and if someone else has parked badly, or illegally, not to do the same,” a spokesperson for the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management told Drive. 

In the Northern Territory, it is not legal. If a ‘Park In Bays Only’ sign is visible, and the driver's vehicle is too large or wide to fit into one parking space, they may park over the marked line, but only taking up the minimum amount of bays.

The ACT follows the same rule – it’s illegal unless your vehicle is too large.

“The current infringement notice penalty for not parking wholly within a parking bay or using more bays than necessary if the vehicle is too big to fit in one bay, is $128,” a spokesperson for  ACT Government told Drive.

MORE: Is it illegal to park facing the wrong way?
MORE: What's the difference between No Parking, No Standing and No Stopping?
MORE: Is it illegal to save a parking spot by standing in it?