School zones operate from 8-9.30am and from 2.30-4pm Monday to Friday during school terms. Check our calendar below to find out when NSW and ACT school zones apply.
What are school zones?
School zones are in place outside every school in NSW and the ACT to keep children safe during school travel times. They are marked by school zone road signs, flashing lights and dragon’s teeth road markings. There is a 40km/h speed limit within each school zone and heavy penalties for motorists who drive over the speed limit or break other school zone laws.
School zones also include designated drop-off and pick-up areas to allow parents and carers a safe environment to take children to and from school by car. Many school zones also have school crossing supervisors in place to help students use crossings on roads adjacent to or nearby schools.
Many school zones also have school crossing supervisors in place to help students use crossings on roads adjacent to or nearby schools.
When do school zones apply in NSW and the ACT?
Most* school zones operate from 8:00am to 9.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm on gazetted school days (including school development days) in NSW and from 8am to 4pm in the ACT.
School zone dates NSW 2025 - Eastern Division
Dates include school development days (also known as student-free days) as some students may attend their school on these days.
| Notified school days - NSW Eastern Division | 2025 |
| Term 1 | Friday 31 January to Friday 11 April (inclusive) |
| Term 2 | Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July (inclusive) |
| Term 3 | Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September (inclusive) |
| Term 4 | Monday 13 October to Friday 19 December (inclusive) |
| Notified school days - NSW Western Division | 2025 |
| Term 1 | Friday 7 February to Friday 11 April (inclusive) |
| Term 2 | Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July (inclusive) |
| Term 3 | Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September (inclusive) |
| Term 4 | Monday 13 October to Friday 19 December (inclusive) |
School Zone Dates - ACT - 2025
| Notified school days | 2025 |
| Term 1 | Friday 31 January to Friday 11 April |
| Term 2 | Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July |
| Term 3 | Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September |
| Term 4 | Monday 13 October to Thursday 18 December |
Why are school zones important?
Children are small, harder to see, behave unpredictably and are extremely vulnerable. They need you to take extra care when driving and parking around school zones and increased fines and demerit points apply for certain school zone offences.
Do school zones operate on pupil free days?
Yes. School zones operate and are enforced on pupil free days because pupil free days can vary from school to school. Consistent operation of school zones aims to reduce driver confusion, which improves the safety of school children.
Are all school zones 40km/h?
No. In specific areas, the NSW Government is installing High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA) speed zones of 30km/h to improve safety.
The Manly HPAA has several school zones within the 30km/h zones. These school zones also operate at 30km/h. Orange school zone signs and road markings alert drivers to 30km/h zones.
What penalties apply if I break the road rules in a school zone?
Did you know that parking-based offences attract harsher punishments when committed in a school zone? Here’s a run down of the main infringements and their penalties.
1. Observe No Parking signs: You have 2 minutes to drop-off or pick-up. You must stay within 3 metres of your vehicle. Failure to observe these rules can result in a $215 fine and 2 demerit points.
2. Stopping in an intersection - if a driver commits this offence in a school zone they will receive a penalty of $514 and 2 demerit points.
3. Stop within 20m of intersection (traffic lights) - if a driver commits this offence in a school zone they will receive a penalty of $514 and 2 demerit points.
4. Stop within 10m of intersection (no traffic lights) if a driver commits this offence in a school zone they will receive a penalty of $514 and 2 demerit points.
5. Stop near bicycle crossing lights - if a driver commits this offence in a school zone they will receive a penalty of $514 and 2 demerit points.
6. Obstruct access to ramp/path/passageway - if a driver commits this offence in a school zone they will receive a penalty of $387 and 2 demerit points.
7. Not parallel park in the direction of travel - if a driver commits this offence in a school zone they will receive a $387 fine and 2 demerit points.
8. Parallel park close to dividing line - if a driver commits this offence in a school zone they will receive a $387 fine and 2 demerit points.
9. Double Parking: Double parking is very dangerous in a school zone and will get you a fine of $387 and 2 demerit points.
10. U turns: Illegal U turns in a school zone are dangerous and will get you a fine of $387 and 3 demerit points.
11. Double Demerits: Speeding and mobile phone school zone offences attract double demerits within legislated periods.
