A locking apparatus for a vehicle includes a striker (9), a locking apparatus body (5, 50). The locking apparatus body (5, 50) is used for locking and releasing the striker (9). The locking apparatus body (5, 50) includes a housing (13), a first rocking shaft (21), a latch (15) and a pawl (17, 18). The housing (13) includes a recess (13B) for receiving the striker (9). The first rocking shaft (21) is disposed in the housing (13) and has a first axis (O1). The latch (15) is supported by the first rocking shaft (21) so as to be rotatable relative to the housing around the first axis (21) between a locking position in which the latch locks the striker (9) in the recess (13B) and a releasing position in which the latch releases the striker (9) in the recess (13B). The pawl (17, 18) is used for locking the latch. The locking apparatus body (5, 50) locks the striker when moving housing to the striker and is operable in the housing.