A woman copped a parking fine for overstaying the time limit in a three-hour zone, but she has a good excuse.

Rachael Betteridge-Lucky was forced to park on a street near Ipswich Hospital, west of Brisbane, as the hospital’s car park was full.

But Rachael was in labour, and due to complications, it lasted 17 hours – well beyond the three-hour limit for her car.

Fighting the fine, Rachael argued she was in no state to move her car.

Fortunately, Ipswich City Council waived the $170 fine… but only after six months

Rachael tells Chris Smith, at first, the council said they never received her paperwork.

“But I did (send it), because I rang then when I got the fine… and I sent it in the mail because I wasn’t in any condition to drive anyway.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview