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.

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.
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.

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.