Safe school zone parking
The City of Launceston aims to make our school zones safe and accessible for families across our municipality.
We know school drop off and pick up times can be very busy periods on our roads and that it can sometimes be challenging to find a convenient parking location.
While the majority of parents obey the Tasmanian Road Rules 2019, a small minority of motorists choose to park or stop illegally in Northern Tasmanian school zones.
Motorists who park illegally near schools can present significant safety risks to other road users.
The City of Launceston's Parking Team regularly patrols school zones, with the intention of providing a safe and orderly environment during peak times, and ensuring motorists comply with the road rules.
The City of Launceston views school patrols as an opportunity to educate drivers on safety and road rule requirements around schools, and in most cases our officers will attempt to communicate with motorists stopped or parked illegally before issuing an infringement.
As a motorist, you have a responsibility to understand and obey parking restrictions on our roads as set out in the Road Rules 2019.
These rules help keep our school children, pedestrians and other road users safe.
A range of parking infringements can apply to motorists who park illegally.
Below we explain some of the signage you may see around Northern Tasmanian schools.
No Parking Signs
Most schools zones feature 'No Parking' areas with designated times. These times usually coincide with peak drop off and pick up periods.
Many motorists believe they can not stop their vehicle in a 'No Parking' zone; however this is not correct.
Motorists may use these 'No Parking' zones to stop temporarily to drop off or collect passengers.
A motorist may stop in a 'No Parking' area for up to two minutes, but must not leave the vicinity of the vehicle.
Motorists who stop for longer than two minutes may be infringed, and drivers who leave their vehicle unattended in a 'No Parking' area will be infringed.
'No Parking' zones are designed to encourage orderly and efficient flow-through of vehicles collecting or depositing passengers.
No Stopping Signs
'No Stopping' signs means motorists must not stop in these spaces at all.
An area designated as a 'No Stopping' zone must not be used as a passenger pick up or drop off area.
Motorists who stop in a 'No Stopping' area may be infringed, and drivers who leave their vehicle unattended in a 'No Stopping' area will be infringed.
Painted Yellow Lines
A painted yellow line parralel to the side of the roadway means motorists must not stop or park.
Yellow lines are an important safety control and are usually painted near school crossings, intersections and driveways.
It is against the road rules to stop alongside a yellow line to pick up or drop off students.
Motorists who stop alongside yellow lines can be infringed, and drivers who leave their vehicle unattended alongside a yellow line will be infringed.
Driveways, Footpaths and Nature Strips
It is against the road rules for motorists to stop or park over driveways, footpaths and nature strips.
Parking or stopping in these areas causes disruption to local residents and often leads to complaints to local councils.
Motorists who stop or park over driveways, footpaths or nature strips can be infringed, and drivers who leave their vehicle unattended parked over driveways, footpaths and nature strips line will be infringed.
Bus Zone Signs
Bus zones are dedicated parking zones for buses, and can not be used as passenger drop off or pick up areas by other motorists.
It is against the road rules for motorists to stop in a bus zone and drivers who leave their vehicles unattended in a bus zone will be infringed.