The grace period applies to ticketed and coupon parking which forms the majority of overstay parking offences. Meters which do not issue parking tickets or coupons are not eligible. The grace period will also not apply to private car parks.
To avoid impacts on safety and congestion, the grace period will also not apply to parking control signs such as:
• bus lane
• transit lane
• no stopping
• clearway
• loading zone
• bus zone
• mail zone
• special events parking.
From 1 March 2019, councils will be provided with flexibility to lower their most common parking fines. This will reduce a typical level 2 parking fine from $112 to $80. To reduce their fines at the earliest opportunity, councils and universities will need to opt in by 1 January 2019. Four further opportunities will be provided to opt in during 2019.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said you can call it a "saving grace" or an "amazing grace" but there is little doubt people who are a few minutes late getting back to their cars will be the big winners.
"This is a common sense approach which means people won’t get a fine for being five minutes late, have their day ruined, and have the weekly budget compromised," Mr Perrottet said.
"We are hopeful this will also reduce the stress and pressure on parking inspectors as it will give some leniency in the issuing of fines."
Find out more about paying parking fines.
