Stopping and parking

Stopping and parking are two different things with different rules. In some places both are forbidden, in others only parking. Know where you may not, so you don't endanger others or get fined.

Stopping vs parking — the difference

Stopping is a short halt, for example to let a passenger in or out or to load goods. Parking is a longer deliberate stop with no such need. In one place both may be forbidden, in another only parking.

Where both are forbidden

Unless signs or markings say otherwise, stopping and parking are forbidden on pedestrian crossings and within 5 m of them, at a junction and within 5 m of it, on tram tracks (if it obstructs trams), on railway crossings and in tunnels, on bridges and overpasses, on sidewalks and cycle paths, and closer than 25 m before and 10 m after a stop sign (para. 121).

Where only parking is forbidden

In addition, parking is forbidden within 50 m of a railway crossing in a built-up area (100 m outside it), and anywhere a parked vehicle stops others from entering or leaving or obstructs pedestrians (para. 122). A solid yellow edge line means no stopping and no parking; a broken yellow line means no parking.

A forced stop

If you must stop where it is forbidden (a crash or breakdown), do everything you can to clear the carriageway and move the car to a safe place (para. 123) — switch on the hazards and put out the warning triangle.

Real-world situations

You want to drop a passenger right on a pedestrian crossing.

Forbidden — you may not stop on a crossing or within 5 m of it (para. 121). Stop before the 5 m zone, where you don't block the crossing.

A free space right by a junction.

Stopping and parking are forbidden at a junction and within 5 m (para. 121). Find a spot further from the junction.

Your car breaks down on a bridge.

Stopping on bridges is forbidden (para. 121). Do everything to clear the carriageway (para. 123): hazards and a warning triangle.

Common mistakes

Stopping "just for a second" on a pedestrian crossing.
On a crossing and within 5 m this is forbidden (para. 121) — pedestrians lose their view.
Parking by a public-transport stop.
Near a stop you may not stop within 25 m before / 10 m after the sign (para. 121).
Leaving the car so it blocks a driveway.
Parking where it stops others from entering or leaving is forbidden (para. 122).

Key takeaways

Stopping (short) and parking (longer) follow different rules.
Never stop on a crossing or at a junction, or within 5 m of them (para. 121).
Sidewalks, cycle paths, tram tracks (if obstructing), bridges, tunnels, railway crossings — off-limits (para. 121).
Even where allowed, don't block others or hide signs or the traffic light (paras. 121–122).

Check yourself

May you stop on a pedestrian crossing to let a passenger out?

How close to a junction may you stop when there are no signs?

A solid yellow line runs along the carriageway edge. What does it mean?

Before you leave the car

Not on a pedestrian crossing or within 5 m of it
Not at a junction or within 5 m of it
Not on tram tracks (if it obstructs), railway crossings, bridges or in tunnels
Not on sidewalks or cycle paths
Not where you hide signs or the traffic light or block others
Near a stop — not within 25 m before / 10 m after the sign

Frequent questions

What is the difference between stopping and parking?

Stopping is a short halt (e.g. for boarding or loading); parking is a longer deliberate stop with no such need. In some places both are forbidden, in others only parking.

May I stop by a bus stop to pick someone up?

Stopping is forbidden within 25 m before and 10 m after the stop sign (para. 121), except brief passenger boarding that does not obstruct public transport.

What do the yellow kerb lines mean?

Solid yellow — no stopping and no parking (marking 943); broken yellow — no parking (marking 944).

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