You’re not alone if you’ve ever nipped home and left your car straddling your driveway ‘just for a minute’. For many Australians, especially in our busy cities and suburbs, parking across your driveway seems like a harmless, practical solution—after all, it’s your property, right?
Well, not quite. That quick stop could now cost you a whopping $660, with a council doubling down on enforcement and even threatening to tow your car away.
It’s a rule that long divides opinion, but the law is clear: under Australian road rules, it’s illegal to stop or park across any part of a driveway, even your own.
The reason? Driveways are considered part of the public road reserve, not private property. This means councils and transport authorities can issue fines to any vehicle parked in breach of the rules, regardless of who owns the home.
The law intends to keep public pathways clear and accessible for pedestrians, prams, wheelchairs, and emergency services.
The Inner West Council in Sydney has just announced a major crackdown after receiving a staggering 4,393 complaints about driveway obstructions in the past year alone.
In response, the council has doubled fines for parking across driveways from $320 to $660. But that’s not all—offending vehicles will now be towed to a nearby parking spot, and police will notify owners of their car’s new location.
Previously, rangers would try to contact the owner before issuing a $330 fine. Now, the gloves are off. The Inner West is believed to be the first inner-city council in Australia to introduce such parking measures.
Councillor Chloe Smith explained: ‘It can be a really frustrating and galling experience for people.’
She shared stories of residents missing medical appointments or being late for childcare drop-offs because their driveways were blocked. Even a few minutes of obstruction can cause headaches in densely populated areas.
Not everyone agrees with the hardline approach. Many residents argue that briefly stopping across your driveway is harmless, especially if you’re unloading groceries or waiting to open the gate.
Some, like tradie Mark from Sydney, have challenged fines as ‘unfair’ when simply trying to access their property.
But authorities warned that making exceptions would create confusion and make enforcing the rules against genuine offenders harder. If everyone parked ‘just for a minute’, it would be impossible to tell who was coming or going, and who was blocking access.
The debate isn’t just theoretical. Several Australians have been fined heftily for parking across their driveways in recent months.
A Lake Macquarie couple were fined $362 after 12 years of parking the same way, shocked to discover the rules had changed.
In Canberra, a man was fined $132 when his car’s rear end hung over the boundary line, technically blocking the footpath, even though the rest was in the driveway.
In Sydney’s east, a photo of a car parked over a driveway sparked heated debate online, with some calling for ‘common sense’ and others backing the strict enforcement.
While the crackdown is making headlines in Sydney, similar rules apply across Australia. Fines and enforcement may vary by council, but the principle is the same: driveways are public access points, and blocking them—even your own—can land you in hot water.
If you’re unsure about the rules in your area, check your local council’s website or the state road authority for guidance. And remember, ignorance of the law is no defence if you’re slapped with a fine.
If you have been unfairly fined, you can appeal the decision through your local council. Be prepared to provide evidence, such as photos, timelines, or extenuating circumstances.
Have you ever been fined for parking across your driveway? Do you think the rules are fair, or should homeowners have more flexibility? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below—your story could help others avoid a costly mistake!
Also read: Roadside safety law tightened—slow down or cop a $960 fine
Equally galling is the extortionate $660 fine, just a money grab by council to pay for their own extortionate outings and salaries!
What happens if you stop in your driveway, with the engine running, so that you can open the gates to drive into your property?
Are you then liable for a fine if you’re accessing your property? I’d call this one extenuating circumstance for not issuing a fine. The ‘parking police’ would have to be there at the time you’re getting home, or leaving, to ‘catch’ you a issue the fine, but they don’t ‘usually’ work that late or early in the day.
I live in a retirement village, and access to enter and exit my driveway is regularly blocked, by community transport, visitors to neighbours and tradies. I wish we could fine them!