Is it legal to park your caravan on the street?
Caravans on our roads are a divisive topic and the butt of many jokes about speed limits and overtaking.
But the humble caravan can also polarise while it’s stationary in a residential setting. Finding a safe, secure place to park your caravan between trips isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
Is it legal to park your caravan on the street?
The debate over whether a caravan can be legally parked in front of your place of residence is a tricky one. It largely depends on your state and council regulations.
Broadly speaking, the answer to this question is yes, you can park a caravan legally in front of your residence in Australia.
But there are some caveats. The first of them is that it must be parked safely and legally, not obstructing driveway entrances or vision.
The next big asterisk is around the length of time you can park on the street. The best idea here is to check your local council’s guidelines, which may impose limits as short as 48 hours, or provide open discretionary advice of only leaving your van stationary “for a reasonable amount of time”.
If you are planning to park your caravan on the street, or even directly in front of your house, a good rule of thumb is to:
- Ensure the van is registered and compliant with road rules and ADR requirements
- Is roadworthy and can be towed at any time
- Is vacant – you may not be allowed to use your van while it is parked in a public place
- In some circumstances, the van must be under 7.5 metres long and 4.5 tonnes in weight in order to comply with state regulations. Always check the guidelines if you’re unsure.
- Isn’t obstructing traffic, pathways or driveway entrances
Can you be fined for parking your caravan on the street?
This again filters down to the regulations of your local state and even council.
If you park the caravan in a manner which violates parking regulations, you can definitely be fined and penalised, or even have your caravan towed away – especially if it’s a safety hazard.
The rules can also become ambiguous if you are parking the van on your lawn or nature strip, where rules again apply on the size of the van and the duration it is sitting there. If your residence is part of a shared area (like duplex or part of a complex), you may have additional restrictions.
If the caravan is sitting within your property lines, then you’ll generally have no issues, so long as it’s not obstructing entry points or pedestrian footpaths.
Can you park caravan in a public carpark?
Public carparks are a much trickier subject – additional rules and fines apply.
As a general rule, it isn’t recommended you leave your caravan unattended in a public carpark, shopping centre or private car park for a long period of time. Doing so increases the risk of fines, theft and vandalism, or even having your van towed away.
Where is the best place park a caravan in Australia?
Broadly speaking, the best and safest place to park your caravan in Australia between trips is on your own property, or if that isn't feasible, a dedicated storage facility.
Doing so ensures your caravan is safe, secure and not violating parking laws or road rules. Best of all, following these rules ensures peace of mind, and that your van is ready to roll next time you head away.
If you are leaving your caravan in a safe, designated zone for an extended period, always ensure you:
- Park it ideally on a flat surface with wheel chocks to secure it
- Have shut all the windows and sealed the van adequately
- Have unplugged and secured appliances
- Fit appropriate covers and protection to prevent dust build-up or pest infestation
