Do you need parking lights on when parked at night in NSW?

Yes, on a dark road. If street lights make the car clearly visible, you can leave them off.

Can I leave the headlights on while I am parked?

Not as a rule. Headlights stay off while parked unless you are dropping off or picking up passengers.

Driver's view · Parking scenes

Parked at a dark kerb with parking lights on

Parked on an unlit road at night, leave your parking lights on.

Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 220-1Asked in road safetyShown in 2 practice questions

What it means

Parked at a dark kerb with parking lights on: what should you do?

A side view at night: the plate-yellow car is parked at the edge of a dark road under a crescent moon, with hills behind and no street lights. A soft white glow shows at the front and a red one at the back, and the green parking light symbol is lit on the dash. Those small lights let other drivers spot a car that would otherwise sit invisible in the dark.

What to do

1
Switch on the parking lights before you leave a car on a dark road.
2
For a quick stop, choose a spot where other drivers can clearly see the car.
3
Keep the headlights off while parked, except when dropping off or collecting passengers.

Practice questions with this scene

You park at night on a dark country road with no street lights. What must you leave on?

Right.Not quite. The answer is A.

A vehicle standing on a road in darkness must show its parking lights, unless street lighting makes it clearly visible.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 220-1

You need to stop for a few minutes at night to collect a parcel. Where and how should you leave the car?

Right.Not quite. The answer is C.

At night a stopped car must be easy for others to see. Pick a well lit, visible spot or leave the parking lights on.

Source: Safe driving practice

Common questions

Do you need parking lights on when parked at night in NSW?: Yes, on a dark road. If street lights make the car clearly visible, you can leave them off.
Can I leave the headlights on while I am parked?: Not as a rule. Headlights stay off while parked unless you are dropping off or picking up passengers.

More in parking scenes

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A practice question in NSW Learner answered correctly, with the explanation card

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