Parallel parking is often considered one of the most challenging tasks for new drivers to master.
In fact, in 2022, RACQ conducted a survey that showed one in three learner drivers struggle with a parallel reverse park and one in two provisional drivers.
A skyrocketing result compared to the next biggest worry for new drives: reverse right-angle parking, with 1 in 8 saying it was the biggest struggle.
The concern likely comes from needing to think of multiple things at once: not hitting the car behind you, not hitting the car in front of you, not rashing your wheels, and, most importantly, not parking too far away from the gutter.
With that being said, how far away from the gutter can you legally park?
How far away from the gutter can you legally park?
There is no exact distance away from the gutter that people can park, but as specified under the Road Rules 2014 Regulation 208, you must be "as near as practicable to the far left or far right side of the road" (depending on the type of street).
However, if you are a learner driver going for your provisional licence, NSW and NT requires you be within 500mm of the gutter, QLD is 450mm, while VIC, ACT and SA is 300mm. Any more than that is a fail on the parking section of the test.
WA and TAS do not have a minimum specified distance from the gutter during the test, just "as close as reasonably possible".
For the written road rules, if there is a solid dividing line or a traffic island, you must park at least three metres from the dividing line.
"If the road has a continuous dividing line or a dividing strip, the driver must position the vehicle at least three metres from the continuous dividing line or dividing strip, unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign," the rule states.
The rule goes on to further specify roads with cars parked on the opposite side of the street, to which you also need to leave a three-metre gap.
While it would be incredibly difficult for parking enforcement and the police to prove who parked first, the car parked furthest away from the kerb would be the most susceptible to the fine.
Fines for parallel parking too close to other vehicles or parking less than three metres from painted lines/opposite other cars (per sub-rule broken):
Can you fix gutter rash on wheels?
If you've parked too close to the gutter and scuffed up your nice wheels, don't stress. Gutter rash is entirely repairable.
If you take your wheel to a specialist, you can expect to pay between $100 for a minor repair and $500 for a major one per wheel.
These shops will often remove the wheel, remove the tyre, repair the wheel, put the tyre back on, and send you on your way.
If you want to tackle the job on your own, you can learn more from a previous Drive story here.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
