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No parkingWorldwide

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Worldwide

82. 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 except for charging vehicles. (Cenon-sur-Vienne, France)
Wikimedia.org • Lionel Allorge • 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.

1 Worldwide 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Minimum speed 9 Advisory speed 10 Footpath 11 Bike path 12 Shared-use path 13 Separated path 14 Pedestrian warning 15 Tunnel 16 Bridge 17 Cycling street 18 Pedestrian zone 19 Speed bump 20 Toll road 21 Customs 22 One-way traffic 23 Quay 24 Slope 25 Bus lane 26 Bus stop 27 Dead end 28 Stop sign 29 Give way 30 Roundabout 31 Priority road 32 Road narrowing 33 Priority over oncoming traffic 34 Give way to oncoming traffic 35 Pedestrian crossing 36 Railway crossing 37 Mandatory direction 38 Turn prohibition 39 School area 40 Overtaking 41 Crossing animals 42 Slippery road 43 Rockfall 44 Aircraft 45 Curve 46 Chevron 47 Wrong-way driving 48 Roadworks 49 Crosswind 50 Height limit 51 Width limit 52 Length limit 53 Weight limit 54 Radar speed sign 55 Selective barriers 56 Low-emission zone 57 Intersection direction sign 58 Priority at the next junction 59 Traffic lights 60 Traffic lights warning 61 Pedestrian lights 62 Road markings 63 All-way stop 64 Junction layout 65 Climbing lane 66 Bike box 67 Left-hand traffic 68 Speed feedback 69 Driving licence 70 Location marker 71 Road number 72 Countdown markers 73 Public toilet 74 Rest area 75 Traffic mirror 76 Emergency telephone 77 International border 78 Pedestrian underpass 79 Cycling route 80 End of restriction 81 Parking 82 No parking 83 No stopping 84 Parallel parking 85 Park and ride 86 Kiss and ride 87 Alternate-side parking 88 Parking meter 89 Parking disc 90 Disabled parking 91 Traffic management 92 Merging 93 Reversing 94 U-turn 95 Carpool 96 Traffic jam 97 Detour 98 Uncontrolled crossroad 99 Road surface 100 Advisory cycle lane ...