No stoppingGermany
An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.
For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.
71. No stopping
No stopping means that vehicles are not permitted to stop voluntarily at the indicated location, even briefly for picking up or dropping off passengers or loading or unloading goods. It is a stricter restriction than a no-parking rule.
A no-stopping restriction may be indicated by a traffic sign, road marking or local traffic regulation. Drivers should continue to a place where stopping is permitted unless they are forced to stop by traffic conditions, an emergency or another legal requirement.
Wikimedia.org • Albrecht Voß • CC BY-SA
Which German sign means absolutely no stopping?
German sign 283 (absolutes Haltverbot) prohibits stopping on the carriageway. Sign 286 allows certain brief stops, so the two signs must not be confused. Supplementary plates can extend a ban to the shoulder.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany, StVO Annex 2, signs 283 and 286
Parking and stopping prohibited.
English • Traffic sign 283 • No stopping.
Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 283 • Absolutes Haltverbot.
🔗 Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Nach den amtlichen Vorgaben digital umgesetzt durch: Mediatus • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Parking prohibited.
English • Traffic sign 286 • Restricted stopping prohibition.
Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 286 • Eingeschränktes Haltverbot.
🔗 Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
MarianSigler and Mediatus • Public domain • Source revision 2017-04-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Can you stop briefly in a marked German fire-service access?
No. Stopping is prohibited in front of and within officially marked fire-service accesses, even without a separate circular no-stopping sign.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • German StVO, section 12, subsection 1(5)

Traffic rules
Germany