Can you stop in a ‘No parking’ zone to drop off a passenger? Australian road rule is answered NRMA

A road rule that often confuses Australian drivers has been clarified once and for all after the NRMA revealed that it is legal to drop off or pick up a passenger in a ‘No parking’ zone.

‘Drivers can stop for less than two minutes to pickup/drop off passengers or load/unload an item outside a “No parking” sign,’ the organisation’s Facebook post read.

The driver must also stay within three metres of the vehicle while mobility permit holders can stop for up to five minutes in the zoned areas.

A road rule that often confuses Australian drivers has been clarified once and for all after the NRMA revealed that it is legal to drop off or pick up a passenger in a ‘No parking’ zone 

The driver must also stay within three metres of the vehicle and mobility permit holders can stop for up to five minutes in these zoned areas on the road (stock image)

On the other hand if a sign is marked ‘No stopping’, motorists must not stop in that area at any given time.

Motorists also can’t stop in ‘bus zones’ at any time.

Earlier this year a road rules quiz about which car has right of way when merging left drivers divided. 

On the other hand if a sign is marked ‘No stopping’ (middle) motorists must not stop in that area at any given time

Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads shared an image of an orange car attempting to change lanes to Facebook.

The car, which was travelling alongside a blue vehicle, was required to merge because their lane was coming to end.

‘The driver of the orange car needs to merge into the same lane as the blue car—but who has to give way?’ 

Earlier this year a road rules quiz about which car has right of way when merging left drivers divided

Facebook users were torn over who had right of way, with many explaining the reason for their decision.

‘The orange car but that never happens especially in Brisbane as they think they have the right to just push in – mostly without even looking,’ one viewer wrote. 

Another wrote: ‘Obviously the blue car has to give way with enough notice! Unlike when you’re the blue car and you see the orange car speed by to get in front of you and just pulls out in front of you!’ 

But the department questioned the latter commenter and encouraged them to double-check the rules.

The department explained a driver whose lane is coming to an end must give way to traffic that’s ‘already in the lane you’re moving into’.

Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads shared an image of an orange car attempting to change lanes to Facebook

The department explained a driver whose lane is coming to an end must give way to traffic that’s ‘already in the lane you’re moving into’

One driver wrote: ‘WOW! I have been driving in Australia for 20 years and never knew this’. 

‘So in this case it’s the driver of the orange car who has to give way to the blue car.’

Some viewers said it was ‘disturbing’ how many fellow drivers didn’t know the road rules.  

‘If you answered blue please make your way to your nearest transport department and hand your licence in thank you,’ one wrote.

‘It’s honestly disturbing how many people are getting this stuff wrong,’ commented another.