Abandoned vehicles
A vehicle may be considered abandoned if left on public land such as a roadway or nature strip. We do not typically consider a vehicle to be abandoned if it is currently registered and lawfully parked.
You can check the vehicle’s registrations status by using the free online registration search.
For more information about abandoned vehicles, including details on impounded vehicles and abandoned vehicle auctions, please visit our Abandoned vehicles & goods page.
Report an abandoned vehicle
Please provide the following essential information to assist our investigation:
- vehicle registration number
- colour, make, model and colour
- location of vehicle
- supporting photos
If the vehicle is unregistered and you believe it has been abandoned, you can report online.
Report an abandoned vehicle
Note: An abandoned vehicle will only be towed immediately if it poses as a risk or danger to the public.
Our officers investigate each report by:
- attempting to contact the last known owner to move the vehicle
- checking the vehicle is registered and not stolen
- monitoring the vehicle while we wait to hear from the registered owner
- impounding the vehicle if we cannot locate the owner, or the owner fails to relocate the vehicle to private property.
We investigate reports of abandoned vehicles under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 and local laws.
This process can take up to 21 days depending on the registration status.
Hooning
If a hooning incident is happening now, please call Triple Zero (000).
To report hooning, please contact the Queensland Police Service on 13HOON (13 46 66) or report hooning online.
Hooning includes:
- dangerous driving
- street racing
- donuts and drifting
- burnouts
- skidding
- noise such as brake screeching and revving of engines.
If possible please have the following details ready:
- the make and model of the vehicle or a description of what it looks like
- description of the hooning activity
- the registration number of the vehicle
- the date, time and location the hooning took place.
To find out what we are doing to deter hooning, visit our Road safety page.
Illegal camping
Camping on the Gold Coast is controlled by law. It is illegal to:
- camp overnight in a public place
- sleep overnight in a vehicle parked in a public place
- set up tents, caravans or swags on private property for the purposes of sleeping overnight. This includes vacant land, private lawns or commercial premises. However, you can set up a tent at an occupied dwelling for the purpose of allowing a child to camp in a tent overnight.
To report illegal camping, please either:
- complete our online illegal camping form, or
- download City App and use your mobile device to report this type of issue.
Report ILLEGAL CAMPING
Illegally parked vehicles
We can investigate illegal parking on public land.
For information on some of the common parking problems, and the relevant Queensland Government regulations, please visit our Safe & legal parking page.
Report an illegally parked vehicle
If you want to report an illegally parked vehicle, please provide:
- vehicle registration number (if available)
- vehicle colour, make, model and type
- reason for report
- exact location of vehicle (provide as much detail as possible)
- the time of day the vehicle is/was parked illegally
- any additional information that will help us to locate the vehicle such as recurring days and times.
If an illegally parked vehicle is a danger to the public, call us on 07 5667 5989.
Vehicle obstructing a driveway
It is illegal to stop or park across a driveway or vehicle access unless the driver:
- is dropping off or picking up passengers
- remains with the vehicle
- completes the drop-off or pick-up within 2 minutes.
If a vehicle is completely blocking your driveway and urgent access is required, contact Queensland Police on 131 444.
Non-urgent reports
If an illegally parked vehicle is not a danger to the public or obstructing urgent access to your driveway, report it online.
Report an illegally parked vehicle
Illegal parking near schools
Parking rules apply around schools, especially around school entrances.
In a school zone:
- special parking restrictions may apply
- the school may have a pick-up and drop-off area where parking is not allowed but you can collect your children in a fast and safe way.
If someone parks illegally or dangerously on the road in a school zone, they may be fined and their vehicle may be towed away.
For more information about parking near schools, visit the Queensland Government safe school travel page.
If you see a vehicle parked illegally in a school zone, please report the problem to us. Please provide these details:
- vehicle registration number (if available)
- colour, make, model and type of vehicle (provide as much information as possible)
- exact location (provide as much detail as possible)
- the time of day the vehicle is or was parked illegally.
You can report illegal parking near schools online.
Report illegal parking near schools
Parking heavy vehicles
Owners of heavy vehicles may need a permit to park the vehicle on private land.
For information about the permits required to park heavy vehicles, please visit our Heavy vehicle parking permit page.
Under our Local Law no.44 (Heavy vehicle Parking) 2007, the parking of heavy vehicles in residential areas must not harm human health or safety, and must not unreasonably detract from the desirable characteristics of the environment.
If you believe that a heavy vehicle is illegally parked on private land, please report the problem to us. You can report an illegally parked vehicle online.
Report an illegally parked heavy vehicle
Vehicle obstructing roadworks
If you see a parked vehicle obstructing roadworks, report the problem to us providing the following details:
- vehicle registration number (if available)
- colour, make, model and type of vehicle (as much information as possible)
- exact location (as much detail as possible)
- the time of day the vehicle is or was obstructing the roadworks.
You can report a vehicle obstructing roadworks online.
Report a vehicle obstructing roadworks
Vehicle or motor bike noise
We may be able to investigate problems with excessive noise from vehicles or motor bikes.
For more information or to lodge a complaint, visit our Report a problem - Noise nuisance page.