Brisbane drivers obscure number plates to evade new parking cameras

Brisbane residents in parking enforcement hot spots have taken to obscuring their number plates with plastic sheets, camping chairs and dishcloths to avoid getting pinged as council rolls out a new automatic camera system.

Between its mobile enforcement vehicles, officers on foot and new static parking cameras, Brisbane City Council has handed out almost $35 million in infringement notices so far this year.

But some inner-city drivers are trying to keep one step ahead of the latest technology.

In a statement, a Brisbane City Council spokesperson said they are aware of the issue "occurring from time to time".

"Our officers can undertake patrols on foot to determine what's required on a case-by-case basis," the spokesperson said.

However, the council is unable to hand out infringement notices for obscured or altered number plates which fall under state legislation.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service said vehicle number plates must be visible from 45 degrees in all directions at 20 metres.

"That means that plates covered by bull bars, towbars, driving lights, faded or unreadable are all illegal," the spokesperson said.

"This also includes plates tucked up under parts of the vehicle or covered by any material."

The spokesperson said police regularly check the condition of number plates and issue a fine if they do not comply.

Illegal parking has 'big impact'

New cameras that run 24/7 targeting parking complaint hotspots were responsible for just over 8,000 of the fines issued this year.

The cameras, which target illegally parked cars in some of Brisbane's busiest corridors, were first rolled out in four hotspots in early 2025 before expanding to more than 40 locations in November.

Just two locations — Graham Street in South Brisbane and Park Road in Milton — accounted for more than 3,000 infringement notices.

The cameras target motorists stopped illegally in clearways, no stopping zones, bus zones, loading zones and on yellow lines.

In a statement, Civic Cabinet Chair for Customer Services Councillor Sarah Hutton said council wants "motorists to think twice before parking illegally".

"When a vehicle parks illegally in a clearway, no stopping zone or bus zone, it causes delays for thousands of people trying to reach their destinations," Ms Hutton said.

"Even a short stop in the wrong place can have a big impact on traffic flow and safety."

In total, Brisbane City Council has issued 176,494 parking infringement notices this calendar year, coming to a total of $34,941,602.

Brisbane City Council's mobile enforcement vehicles delivered almost 100,000 infringements since January 1.