Common parking practice that could see you fined $275

A Sydney driver has warned of a common parking practice that few know is illegal, leading unsuspecting motorists to cop hundreds of dollars in fines.

A Sydney driver has pointed out a common parking practice that few know is illegal, leading them to cop hundreds of dollars in fines.

The man vented on a local Facebook group after being slapped with a $275 ticket for waiting in a Cronulla carpark for an empty spot.

While waiting for a car to leave, the man pulled over to the left of the road in front of vehicles parked in allocated bays, to allow other traffic to pass by.

But when he was spotted by a parking ranger, the man was issued a ticket for illegally “double parking” – even though his car was still on and he was inside it.

“According to the paper fine ‘Reported by an officer of Sutherland Shire Council’,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Apparently waiting for a spot in a dedicated carpark is illegal double parking.”

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A Sydney driver copped a $275 fine for stopping and waiting for a park. Picture: Facebook

A Sydney driver has shed light on a common parking practice that few know is illegal, leading unsuspecting motorists to cop hundreds of dollars in fines. Picture: Facebook

Many were shocked to discover the little-known parking rule could earn them a penalty of their own.

“I didn’t know that they could pull this trick if the motor was running and the driver was in his seat,” one Sutherland Shire woman commented.

But others were all too familiar with the consequences.

“I got two [fines] within four minutes of each other,” one Sutherland Shire man commented.

“They watched me pick up a passenger (less than five seconds) and they even waited for me to leave then proceeded to follow me 2km down the road … got me again dropping them off (again stopped for five seconds).”

Many were familiar with the consequences. Picture: Facebook

‘Exact same happened to me,’ one social media user wrote. Picture: Facebook

“Yep they get you on anything. I got done for apparently stopping in a school zone but I was doing a three-point turn at the end of Ruby Road, Gymea,” one woman said.

“My wife pulled up to park in a spot someone was pulling out of. She saw the ranger take a photo so took a photo of our car parked,” one man wrote.

“When the fine came in, the difference on the time stamps of both photos was less than a minute. We tried to get it cancelled but the fine stood.”

People also urged the man to contest the penalty. Picture: Facebook

“Exact same happened to me and was told I’m not allowed to wait for someone exiting parking spot, even for five seconds, and I must drive around the block,” commented another woman.

People also urged the man to contest the penalty – saying they knew people who had been fined in similar circumstances.

“I know someone that got off for (the) exact same thing waiting for a car spot, the officer was spoken to, and should have asked why they had stopped there and to give them the chance to move on,” wrote one woman.

“Definitely contest it … You clearly spotted a vehicle about to move from a parking spot and waiting on them to vacate,” one man said.

Another motorist said he was stung twice within minutes after his car was followed by a parking ranger. Picture: Facebook

He said the parking inspector handed him a penalty both for picking up and dropping off a passenger

But while they concluded it was “absolutely ridiculous” he’d been fined, some said they doubted this was a “lawful explanation”.

“The only way stopping as such is allowed is when driving is impossible due to driving condition (car stopped at front) or malfunction making drive impossible. Perhaps medical episode too,” one man added.

In NSW, it is illegal to stop your vehicle – whether you’re inside or outside it – on or across a driveway.

The only exception applies to dropping off or picking up a passenger, under which circumstances the driver can only pause for two minutes.

Drivers are also not allowed to stop within one metre of another parked vehicle, in front or behind, or within three metres of any double centred lines.