Help Me No Stopping vs No Parking: what's the difference?
Updated 27 October 2026
Short answer: No Stopping means you can't stop at all, not even for a moment to drop someone off. No Parking means you can stop briefly, for up to 2 minutes, to drop off or pick up passengers or goods, as long as you stay within 3 metres of your car. Both apply only during the times shown on the plate.
Side by side
| No Stopping | No Parking | |
|---|---|---|
| Stop to drop off or pick up? | No | Yes, up to 2 minutes |
| Leave the car? | No | Only within 3 metres |
| Wait for someone? | No | Generally no |
No Stopping
You can't pull over at all while the sign applies, except when traffic forces you to stop or to avoid a crash. These zones protect busy lanes, corners, driveways and bus stops, and they're enforced strictly.
No Parking
You can stop to let a passenger out or load something into the car. You have to stay with the car, within 3 metres, and be gone within 2 minutes, unless the sign shows a different time. Waiting for someone who hasn't arrived yet generally isn't allowed.
Yellow lines
A continuous yellow edge line along the kerb means no stopping on that stretch, even if there's no sign.
Common questions
Can I drop someone off in a No Stopping zone?
No. Use a No Parking zone, a loading area or a legal parking space instead.
How long can I stop in a No Parking zone?
Up to 2 minutes under the Australian Road Rules, unless the sign shows a different time, and only while dropping off or picking up.
Can I sit in my car in a No Parking zone?
Only while you're actively dropping off or picking up. Sitting there waiting generally counts as parking.