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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is it legal to sleep in your car? Know what is allowed with Florida's laws
Whether you need to pull over and rest your eyes, or because it is the only option, if you are sleeping in your car in Florida, there's a law about that. The short answer: Yes you can sleep in your car. However, it's only in certain places. In 2024, Florida passed HB 1365, a bill to keep homeless people from camping in public spaces. Under the law, people are prohibited from public camping and public sleeping. It does not apply to lodging or residing overnight in a motor vehicle that is registered, insured, and at either a designated camping spot that allows it, such as a rest stop, or on private property where you have permission to park. If someone is violating a public ordinance by sleeping somewhere they are not permitted, a deputy will tell them to leave instead of arresting them, according to Sgt. Joseph Angelico, supervisor of the community policing division at the Martin County Sheriff's Office. "Rest stops are an option, but we don't necessarily tell them 'you can go to a Walmart parking lot' because we don't have that authority to give them permission to sleep on private property," Angelico said. The Florida Administrative Code says at rest stops, the general public can sleep for up to 3 hours, but truck drivers can sleep up to 10 hours, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. With the exception of one in Taylor County, all of Florida's rest areas are open 24 hours, seven days a week. Martin County: Sheriff John Budensiek plans to grow the Sheriff's Office alongside Martin County Martin County: Fire Rescue team competes in firefighter challenge, moves on to nationals Rest areas near me On the Treasure Coast, there are five rest areas. Here's where they are: Fort Pierce I-95 northbound I-95 southbound Port St. Lucie Florida's Turnpike Palm City I-95 northbound I-95 southbound The Dayton Beach News-Journal contributed to this report. Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Can you sleep in your car in Florida? Here's what to know Solve the daily Crossword
News.com.au
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Is sleeping in your car illegal?
When driving around popular holiday spots across Australia, it's pretty common to see people setting up their cars and campervans at local beaches and streets for the night. And it's led many to ask: Is it illegal to sleep in your car? Currently, there are no federal laws that stipulate sleeping in your car is illegal. Because there are no Australian federal laws around the jurisdiction of motor vehicles, state and local governments have the power to determine whether an sleeping in a car would be considered an illegal activity. As a result, the laws differ from state to state. For the best lifestyle coverage in Australia — download the app direct to your phone. In New South Wales, it is perfectly legal for someone to sleep, or live, in their car. However, people sleeping in their cars will have to abide by local council laws around where they can and can't park. For instance, most streets on or near the beach have parking limits. It's a similar case in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. While there are no laws making it illegal to sleep in your car, there may be heavy restrictions on where you can and can't park. Parking rules are often put in place to discourage people from sleeping in their car as they aren't able to park for long periods of time, and will likely incur a fine if they do. These restrictions are most commonly found in popular tourist spots such as beaches and parks. In the Northern Territory, sleeping in your car is regulated under By-Law 103. In the Northern Territory, sleeping in a vehicle is classed as camping, and will incur a fine unless in a designated campsite. For the best lifestyle coverage in Australia — download the app direct to your phone. Queensland, out of all the states in Australia, holds the strictest rules around sleeping in your car. The City of Brisbane Act 2010 stipulates camping is strictly prohibited unless it is carried out in a campsite. Sleeping in your vehicle is technically classed as camping, so it is only legal to sleep in your car if you're parked in a designated camping area. In July this year, Noosa Council cracked down on major hotspots. Recently, more than 30 illegal campers received a fine of $322 each in a weekend enforcement blitz. Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said illegal camping had been an ongoing issue in the area and residents were growing increasingly discontented over the issue. 'Residents were understandably frustrated with our streets, parks and gardens being used as campgrounds and toilets,' he said. 'I deeply appreciate residents' patience on this issue that had escalated during the months of protected industrial action.' Last year, a picture posted to Facebook divided a popular coastal town after calling out a driver for 'illegally camping' at a popular beach destination. The man posted a photo to Facebook showing a Mazda Tribute V6 with learner plates taking up two car spaces at Woods Bay in Noosa. A tent fitted on top of the car used up the two spaces, with the local man calling on the council to 'get some teeth'. Noosa Council issued a statement to Channel 7 saying parking at Noosa Woods is banned between 10pm and 4am in a bid to end illegal camping. 'Parking officers, along with assistance from Queensland Police Service, continue to deal with those who flout the parking and camping laws with patrols conducted several times a day — including early morning and into the evening — and offenders issued with fines,' the council said.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is it legal to sleep in your car in Alabama? Here's what overnight parking laws say
Spending the night in a car is an uncomfortable last resort, yet many people find themselves in this situation for various reasons. While state laws and local ordinances often set rules for sleeping in a car, regulations vary widely at gas stations, parking lots and residential neighborhoods. In Alabama, no state law bans you from sleeping in your car, but it is prohibited in some areas. Gulf Shores and Fairhope ordinances prohibit overnight sleeping in your vehicle between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Check with local ordinances before trying to pull over for the night. Although Alabama rest stops are designed for travelers to rest on their journeys, overnight parking and camping are prohibited. However, you may use the rest facilities for their restrooms, drinking water and picnic tables. If you're going to sleep in your car on private property, including business parking lots and garages, you must have the owner's permission to do so. If you do not have permission, you could be detained for trespassing. However, it is generally permitted to sleep in a parking lot. Some businesses and lots will have signs that warn about overnight parking, so check the signs and local ordinances for restrictions. Although drinking and driving is illegal, you can still be charged with a DUI if caught trying to 'sleep it off' in your car, even if it's not moving. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Can I sleep in my car in Alabama? Here's what we know about state law
