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You’re in a rush. You’ve spent ages searching for a carpark. And then you see it: an empty bay. The only problem? The parking sign looks more like a word puzzle.
by Cristy Burne
Published
7 min read
Text size
by Cristy Burne
Published
Text size
Parking signs are designed to say a lot a small space. They detail parking restrictions that help the flow of traffic, keep things fair, and save you from paying parking infringements.
But until you know how to decipher the code, navigating parking signs can sometimes feel like rolling the dice – especially when you’re in a rush.
The good news is that parking signs are standardised across Western Australia. Once you learn the rules, you can park with confidence – and without a parking infringement.
So, here’s a friendly guide to reading WA’s local parking signs without breaking a sweat.
Colour:
There are only two colours used on WA parking signs. Green signs mean parking is allowed, if you meet the conditions.
Green text means you can park, but with conditions. You might need to pay a parking fee, observe time limits, or meet other requirements noted on the sign.
Red signs mean no parking, unless stated otherwise. Red text means you cannot park. Sometimes there are exceptions clearly shown on the sign.
Arrow direction:
Parking sign arrows show you where the parking restrictions apply.
A right-pointing arrow means the parking restriction applies only to the right of the sign.
A left-pointing arrow means the restriction applies only to the left of the sign.
A double arrow means the restriction applies on both sides of the sign.
No arrow? The parking sign applies only to the parking bay directly under the sign.
Side of the street:
Parking signs only apply to the side of the street the sign is on.
Times and days:
When signs include days of the week and/or times of the day, these are the only times and dates when the parking restrictions apply.
For example, if the sign says Mon–Fri you must comply with parking restrictions on week days, from Monday to Friday inclusive.
If the sign says 8 am–6 pm you must comply with restrictions any time after 8am, right through until 6pm.
If you’re parking outside the days and times listed on the sign, the restrictions don’t apply. For example, a sign that says Mon–Fri, 8 am–6 pm means on Saturdays and Sundays you can park any time.
Time limits:
A green ‘P’ means you can park for as long as you need: there is no time limit.
If you see ‘2P’ or another number before the ‘P’, that’s your maximum parking time. For example:
2P gives you a maximum of two hours’ parking
1/4P gives you a maximum of 15 minutes
P5MINUTES means you can only park for a maximum of 5 minutes.
The P time limit applies to all dates and times listed on the sign panel.
If the sign doesn’t mention a fee or ticket, you don’t have to pay to park.
If the sign says something like Ticket or Pay Here or Pay and Display or Fee Payable, you must get a ticket to park in the bay, even if it’s a free ticket.
Tickets can be paper, in which case you need to return to your car to display the ticket on your dashboard, or they can be digital, and you’ll need to know your car’s licence plate number to type into ticket machines.
Parking meters or ticket machines on the same side of the street as your carpark. These are usually cashless and require payment by credit card; or
Mobile apps like EasyPark or PayStay, which require you to register your car’s details in advance. You then pay for parking by credit card and can extend (or shorten) your parking time remotely as required. Don’t forget to end your parking via the app when you return to your car.
Just note: Moving your car to another bay in the same parking zone, or paying for more time in that parking zone, does not reset your time limit. Parking inspectors can monitor the cars in a parking zone using physical markings, photography and more, so play it safe and shift to a different parking zone to avoid a fine.
Parking spots marked with the blue wheelchair symbol are reserved at all times for people with a valid Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ACROD) permit and ACROD Parking Program Card. No ACROD permit? No parking in that bay. It’s that simple.
ACROD parking permits are available on application to eligible people who: always requires the use of a wheelchair, mobility or medical aid; or have a disability or medical condition that significantly restricts their ability to walk; or are legally blind.
Currently around 90,000 Western Australians depend on their ACROD permit for accessible parking. ACROD permit holders must still comply with all other parking conditions.
Just note: ACROD parking permits are for the use of the permit holder only and cannot be loaned or given to any other person. You may use a permit holder’s ACROD pass to park in an ACROD bay if the permit holder needs to get in or out of the car.
In WA from overseas? International visitors can use their home country’s Disability Parking Permit in WA for up to three months.
Parking illegally? You risk a $500 on-the-spot fine for illegally parking in an ACROD bay. This increases to a fine of $5000 if you illegally display an ACROD permit.
Signs marked M/C or showing a motorcycle icon mean that parking is allowed for motorcycles or scooters only. If you park your car there, you can expect a fine.
Public parks: Some parking signs will include extra conditions. For example, you may be allowed to use parking bays near a public park if you’re using that park for recreation.
Resident permits: In some streets, parking bays may be restricted to residents with parking permits.
Exceptions: Some signs will specifically list the types of vehicles that are exempt from the parking conditions, for example, emergency police vehicles.
No Parking:
No Parking signs allow short stops for drop-off or pick-up, but you must remain in your car. You can’t park and leave your vehicle unattended.
Clearway Zone:
Clearway Zones are serious no-stopping areas during peak hours and busy times (often 7:30–9am and 4:15–6pm on weekdays). Parking here during restricted times risks fines and towing at your expense.
Loading Zone:
Loading Zones are prime parking spots reserved for freight and delivery vehicles to load or unload goods, usually during specified hours. Passenger cars, rideshare vehicles, taxis and or tradies parked here during restricted times will be fined.
No Stopping Zones:
No Stopping Zone signs forbid stopping at all times. This includes picking up or dropping off passengers, even if you have your hazard lights on and your engine running. You’ll usually find these signs in high-risk areas, like near intersections.
Works Zone:
Works Zone signs indicate if there are temporary parking restrictions near construction sites or maintenance zones. Signs will indicate if and when parking is prohibited.
Bus Zone:
Only buses are allowed to stop in bus zones, typically to pick up or drop off passengers. Cars, taxis and rideshare vehicles may not use these zones.
Taxi Zone:
Taxi Zone spots are strictly reserved strictly for taxis actively loading or unloading passengers. Note that charter vehicles, like rideshare cars, are not taxis and may not use Taxi Zones without risking a fine.
If a sign has multiple panels, simply read the sign from top to bottom, then left to right.
The most important parking restriction is usually in the top panel.
As you read down, lower panels add details or exceptions. Don’t forget to look at the arrow to work out which part of the sign applies to where.
Great news! If a sign lists any day of the week (e.g., Mon–Fri), those parking restrictions do not apply on public holidays, regardless of what day the public holiday falls on, even if the sign is red. That means you can park for free and for as long as you like in these restricted zones on WA public holidays.
Just note: If a parking sign doesn’t list a day of the week, it applies year-round, every single day.
