A simple trip to the shops has reignited one of Australia’s most heated parenting debates: who actually gets to use “parents with prams” parking spots?
Melbourne model Jess King, who is 34 weeks pregnant, posted a TikTok explaining she’d been locked out of her car for an hour because the vehicle beside her was parked so close she couldn’t physically squeeze into the driver’s seat.
“I’m 34 weeks pregnant, and I literally could not get into my car,” she said in the video. “The parks here are so small… can I use the parents-with-prams spots? It’s getting to the point where I can hardly get through the door.”
@jessraeking I think I’m just going to stick to parallel parking from here on out 🤰🏼
♬ original sound – Jess King
Her question—simple enough on the surface—blew up instantly online, with thousands weighing in.
The Internet: Completely Divided
Comment after comment rolled in, but Australians couldn’t agree.
People arguing yes, absolutely:
- “As someone who is heavily pregnant, I feel like we’d benefit from disabled parking at this point. 😅 My pelvic girdle pain is no joke.”
- “Why is there even an argument? The further along you get, the more space you need.”
- “Yesss definitely. I needed that spot wayyy more as a heavily pregnant lady than I do now with bub. I was so big and in pain so couldn’t walk far but was too scared to use it” 😅
- “I needed that spot way more as a heavily pregnant lady than I do now with a baby.”
- “Legally anyone can use it. And pregnant people absolutely should. After a certain point we need more room!”
- “I did when I was pregnant! I figured I AM the pram”
People arguing no, leave them for parents with kids:
- “the whole pram thing is BS. They weren’t around when my kids were growing up and we didn’t suffer for it. also no.”
- “As a pregnant girl… I’m going to say no. I’ve seen parents with prams try to use them and it’s already Tetris.”
- “It’s hard, but not as hard as juggling a baby, a toddler, and a pram.”
- “If pregnant women use them, actual parents miss out and they’re the ones who cannot fit into the regular spots.”
People somewhere in the middle:
- “If you’re late-pregnancy and genuinely can’t get in or out of the car, then yes. If it’s just convenience, then no.”
- “It’s about common courtesy. Take it if you really need it, leave it if someone else will need it more.”
Even Jess admitted she’d noticed some car parks include pregnant women on their signs, while others only show the pram symbol—adding to the confusion.
So… are pregnant women allowed to park there?
According to NRMA, the answer is surprisingly straightforward:
Parents with prams parking spots are not enforceable by law.
These bays:
- are courtesy spaces provided by private property owners (usually shopping centres)
- are larger to allow extra room for prams, car seats, and kids
- sit closer to entrances to reduce walking distance in busy traffic zones
- can be monitored by centre management, but cannot result in fines under NSW road rules
- exist in the same category as “seniors only” spaces—recommended, not legally binding
NRMA confirmed:
“Legally there is nothing to prevent a person without a pram or infant from parking in a parents-with-prams spot… It comes down to courtesy and respect.”
Disabled parking bays, however, are legally enforceable, with fines issued under NSW Road Rule 203.
Where does pregnancy fit in?
While the law doesn’t specifically mention pregnant women, NRMA notes that these courtesy spaces are intended for anyone considered less mobile. That can absolutely include heavily pregnant women — especially those in late pregnancy, those struggling to walk, or those who genuinely cannot manoeuvre safely in a tight spot.
In other words:
Pregnant? Mobility affected? You’re not breaking any rules.
Just be considerate of who may need it more.
So what should people actually do?
NRMA sums it up best:
It boils down to respect.
If you’re pregnant and genuinely struggling to get in or out of your car safely, or the standard bays are too small, taking the larger spot is reasonable.
If you’re capable of managing the regular bays and see a parent juggling toddlers and prams?
Maybe leave the spot for them.
The debate continues
Jess King says she’s still unsure whether she’ll use those spots for the rest of her pregnancy—mostly out of fear of upsetting someone. But her TikTok has definitely pushed a long-running, unspoken parking dilemma into the spotlight.
And judging by the comments, it’s a debate that won’t be going away any time soon.
