FORGET taking an IQ test. If you can decipher Sydney's most confusing street sign within 30 minutes, you're a genius-level intellect or some kind of parking code robot.

The puzzling sign - actually a collection of 11 different signs, all suspended from a single post - presents a blizzard of baffling information to Bathurst St motorists.

Some of the signs appear to contradict others. A lawyer might be handy for working out the fine print to discover just when parking is or isn't allowed.

media_camera Kiwi visitor Ellie Ball is baffled by the Bathurst St signage. Picture: Britta Campion

This Rubik's cube of street signage includes a rare triple-zone feature, variously accommodating loading, taxis and school pick-ups and drop-offs.

One of the most recently added signs, a special event clearway warning, includes this droll line: "Normal parking restrictions apply at all other times."

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Those would be the parking restrictions in force from 6am to 7.30am Monday to Friday, the other parking restrictions in force from 7.30am to 9am, the additional parking restrictions that apply from 9am to 3pm, another set of parking restrictions covering 6am to 6pm, and the restrictions in place from 6pm to 10pm. Not forgetting the restrictions from 8am to 10pm on weekends and public holidays.

"Signs relating to parking and road rules on Bathurst St in the Sydney CBD are under the care and control of Sydney City Council," a Roads and Maritime Services spokesman said yesterday.

"Roads and Maritime will work with council to ensure special event clearway signage is appropriately displayed."

media_camera Now it makes sense.

Glad we cleared that up.

Lord mayor Clover Moore agreed it was a clear case of ridiculous totem pole signage.

"I agree all these signs on the one pole are ridiculous. As soon as I found out about it I asked the CEO to find a better solution," she said.

"I've been lobbying the NSW government for years to change regulation that results in excessive signage for parking restrictions."

Ms Moore said other cities use kerbside line markings which got rid of the clutter and the confusion that multiple signs can create. She encouraged drivers to fight back.

"These signs are incomprehensible for most people,'' she said. "I encourage anyone who has received a fine and was confused about the signage to write to the CEO to have their fine waived."

A spokesman for the council said the signs were necessary to cater to different drivers' needs throughout the day, including:

• THE school drop-off and pick-up zone allowing parents and carers to safely drop off and pick up their children;

• THE loading zone allowing delivery trucks access;

• THE bus zone for school buses; and

• THE 15-minute free parking from 9am-3pm allowing people to park for errands.

The special event clearway signs were installed by the RMS and will be removed after Australia Day.

"The city is investigating options to simplify the remaining signs," the spokesman said.

Originally published as Is this the craziest sign you've seen?