School Zones

Overview

Motorists must give extra care when travelling through and around school zones as children can be unpredictable and may cross the road at any time. During the early stages of life, children have difficulty judging distance and speed. This may lead a child to step onto the road when it is unsafe to do so.

Motorists must drive no faster than 40 km/h through school zones. Increased fines and demerit points apply for certain school zone offences, with illegal use of mobile phones and speeding among those included in double demerit periods.

School Zone Times

 Most school zones operate from 8 to 9.30am and from 2.30 to 4pm. However, there are a small number of non-standard school zone times in NSW, which are identified by red/orange school zone signs showing the times when school zone flashing lights operate.

Keep children safe during drop-off and pick-up times

• Always park and turn legally around schools and avoid dangerous manoeuvres like U-turns and three-point turns.
• Its safest for children to get out of the car on the kerb side of the road to be away from passing traffic.
• Where provided, use Children’s Crossings to drop-off and pick-up children.
• Always hold your child’s hand.
• Always give way to pedestrians especially when entering and leaving driveways.
• Stick to the 40km/h speed limit in a school zone as children are about and can be unpredictable.
• Make sure that your children are in the correct car seat and that it is fitted and used correctly.
• Make sure that your child is wearing a helmet when riding a bike, scooter or skating.
• Look out for buses – 40km’h speed limit applies when school bus lights flash.

Understand the road rules

School zones

A school zone is the area around a school with a speed limit of 40 km/h. Between the 'SCHOOL ZONE' and 'END SCHOOL ZONE' signs you must obey the school zone speed limit. The school zone limit only applies on notified school days and during the times shown on the sign.

No parking

You must not stop for more than two minutes in a No Parking area. You must remain in or within 3 metres of the vehicle. Hours of operations may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only. Mobility Parking Permit holders are allowed to park for up to 5 minutes in a No Parking area.

No stopping/no standing

These signs mean that in the area in the direction of the arrow you must not stop your vehicle at any point on the road or kerb, unless there is a medical or other emergency. Sometimes a no stopping area is indicated by a solid yellow edge line. Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.

Bus zones

This sign means that in the direction of the arrow or arrows you are not allowed to stop your vehicle unless you are driving a bus. Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.                                                                                          

Loading zones

Only drivers of vehicles principally constructed for carrying goods may park their vehicle in a loading zone. These vehicles may stop for up to 30 minutes if they are being loaded or unloaded. A station wagon or a three-wheeled goods vehicle may stop for up to 15 minutes. If you are driving any other sort of vehicle you may only stop to pick up or set down passengers at the kerb. Hours of operation may apply to some signs. This means restrictions apply for those times only.

Children’s crossings and pedestrian crossings

This animation highlights the difference between children’s crossings and pedestrian crossings, and what motorists need to do on approach to each type of crossing.

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