No parkingNetherlands

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Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Netherlands

36. No parking

No parking indicates that vehicles may not be left parked at the location or along the section of road covered by the restriction. Depending on local law, a driver may still be allowed to stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods, provided stopping itself is not prohibited.

A no-parking restriction may apply continuously or only during specified times, days, vehicle categories or sections of road. Its exact extent and exceptions are determined by the traffic sign, supplementary panels, road markings and local traffic regulations.

No-parking sign at a designated area for waste containers. (Almere, Netherlands)
Wikimedia.org • Donald_Trung • CC BY-SA

What does a no-parking sign mean?

A no-parking sign prohibits leaving a vehicle parked in the area or along the section of road to which the restriction applies. The exact legal definition of parking and the extent of the prohibition vary between countries.

Is no parking the same as no stopping?

No. A no-parking restriction commonly still permits certain brief stops, such as picking up or dropping off passengers or loading or unloading goods. A no-stopping restriction is stricter and generally prohibits voluntary stopping as well as parking.

Can you wait in your vehicle where parking is prohibited?

Remaining inside the vehicle does not necessarily mean that it is not parked. If the vehicle remains stationary beyond what local law permits as a brief stop, it may legally be considered parked even when the driver stays inside.

Can you pick up or drop off passengers in a no-parking area?

Often yes, if stopping is permitted and the vehicle remains there only as long as reasonably necessary for passengers to get in or out. Local rules may impose stricter restrictions at particular locations.

Can you load or unload goods where parking is prohibited?

In many countries, genuine loading or unloading is treated as stopping rather than parking and may therefore be permitted. The vehicle should remain there only for the time reasonably necessary for the activity.

How far does a no-parking restriction apply?

This depends on the country's signing rules. The restriction may continue to the next intersection, an end sign, a stated distance or the end of a designated zone. Supplementary arrows or distance panels may indicate its exact extent.

Does a no-parking sign apply on both sides of the road?

Usually a roadside no-parking sign applies only to the side of the road on which it is placed, unless it forms part of a zonal restriction or local signs indicate otherwise.

Can a no-parking restriction apply only at certain times?

Yes. A supplementary panel may restrict the prohibition to particular hours, days or periods. Outside those periods, parking may be permitted if no other rule prohibits it.

Can a no-parking restriction apply only to certain vehicles?

Yes. Additional signs or symbols may make a parking restriction applicable to particular vehicle categories, such as heavy vehicles, motorcycles or other specified vehicles.

Can you park immediately after a no-parking sign ends?

Only if parking is otherwise legal. The end of a specific no-parking restriction does not override general parking prohibitions near crossings, intersections, driveways, traffic signs or other protected locations.

Parking

No stopping

1 Netherlands 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Slope 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Priority road 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Roadworks 23 Weight limit 24 Radar speed sign 25 Selective barriers 26 Low-emission zone 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Road markings 31 Speed feedback 32 Traffic mirror 33 Emergency telephone 34 Cycling route 35 Parking 36 No parking 37 No stopping 38 Park and ride 39 Kiss and ride 40 Parking disc 41 Disabled parking 42 Traffic management 43 Merging 44 Reversing 45 Uncontrolled crossroad 46 Advisory cycle lane 47 Rush-hour lane 48 Emergency exit 49 Oversize load 50 City limit 51 Parking zone 52 Axle weight limit 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Dangers 56 Equestrian trail 57 Cyclist 58 Truck 59 Bus 60 Police 61 Ambulance 62 Bicycle parking station 63 Tram lights 64 European emission standard 65 Pothole 66 Path 67 Particulates 68 Air pollution 69 Rush hour 70 Road code 71 Street gutter 72 Cargo bike 73 Forestry vehicle 74 Construction vehicle 75 Semi-trailer truck 76 Trolleybus 77 Speed pedelec 78 Delivery vehicle 79 Idling 80 Tow truck 81 Four-wheel drive 82 No vehicles 83 Bicycle 84 Motorcycle equipment 85 Rail track 86 Caravan 87 Trailer 88 Tow hitch 89 Fire truck 90 Siren 91 Convoy 92 Emergency vehicle lighting 93 Agricultural machinery 94 Electric bicycle 95 Electric vehicle 96 Pedelec 97 Quadricycle 98 Microcar 99 All-terrain vehicle 100 Van ...