Rules in detail: parking, stopping and abandoned vehicles

Where you may not park

What the rule says. You may not park a vehicle on the roadway of a public road in any place where stopping is not permitted, or in contravention of a road traffic sign. You may not park on the same side as a fire hydrant within 1,5 metres on either side of the hydrant. You may not park where your vehicle would obscure a road traffic sign, so that it encroaches upon the sidewalk, or so that it obstructs any private or public vehicular entrance.

Why it matters. Each ban keeps signs visible, hydrants usable and entrances open.

In practice. A sign forbids parking in a street and no other cars are there. You still may not park, because the sign applies whether or not anyone is affected.

Key idea: Never park where stopping is banned, against a sign, near a hydrant, on the sidewalk or across an entrance.

Extra parking rules in an urban area

What the rule says. Within an urban area you may not park on the roadway within 9 metres of a pedestrian crossing, measured on the side from which you approach it. You may not park within 5 metres of any intersection. You may not park upon or over the actuating mechanism of a traffic signal. The outside of any left-hand wheel may not be more than 450 millimetres within the roadway. You may not park on a traffic island or in a pedestrian mall or pedestrian lane.

Why it matters. Keeping clear of crossings and intersections leaves drivers and pedestrians a clear view, and a car on a signal's sensor can disturb how the signal works.

In practice. Before leaving the car near a crossing, check how far you are from it and whether your wheels are close to the edge.

Key idea: In an urban area keep 9 metres from a crossing, 5 metres from an intersection and within 450 millimetres of the edge.

Stopping: reasons and obstructions

What the rule says. You may not stop a vehicle on the roadway of a public road, except to avoid an accident, on a direction from a traffic officer, or for any cause beyond your control. You may not stop alongside or opposite an excavation or obstruction if other traffic would be obstructed or endangered. You may not stop within any tunnel or subway, on any bridge, or within 6 metres of a tunnel, subway or bridge. You may not stop on, or within 6 metres of the beginning or end of, a part of the roadway whose normal width has been constricted.

Why it matters. These are places with little room, where one stopped vehicle can block or endanger everyone.

In practice. Do not pull up on a bridge to check directions; move on to a safe place.

Key idea: Stop in tunnels, on bridges or within 6 metres of them only for the three permitted reasons.

Stopping: position and other places

What the rule says. You may not stop in contravention of a road traffic sign, or on the right-hand side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic. You may not stop alongside or opposite another vehicle where the roadway is less than 9 metres wide. You may not stop within the railway reserve at a level crossing. You may not stop within 9 metres of your approaching side of a demarcated pedestrian crossing. You may not stop in any other place where stopping would be a danger or an obstruction to other traffic.

Why it matters. The catch-all rule means that even a place not listed is forbidden if it endangers or blocks others.

In practice. On a narrow street, do not stop next to a parked car, as that would double-park you and block the road.

Key idea: On a roadway under 9 metres wide you may not stop beside another vehicle, and you may never stop on a level crossing.

Vehicle left or abandoned

What the rule says. A vehicle that is left in the same place on a public road for a continuous period of more than 24 hours outside an urban area is deemed to have been abandoned by the owner. Inside an urban area the period is more than 7 days in the same place. Once the period has passed, the owner is treated as having abandoned the vehicle.

Why it matters. The time limits show that a vehicle may not simply be left on the road indefinitely.

In practice. A car has stood on a rural public road for 30 hours: it is deemed abandoned. A car left for 5 days in a town street is not yet deemed abandoned, because the limit there is more than 7 days.

Key idea: More than 24 hours outside an urban area, or more than 7 days within one, means abandoned.

Quick recap

• Do not park within 1,5 metres on either side of a fire hydrant on the same side of the road
• In an urban area, do not park within 9 metres of a pedestrian crossing on your approaching side or within 5 metres of an intersection
• In an urban area, the outside of the left-hand wheel may not be more than 450 millimetres within the roadway
• Do not stop in a tunnel, subway or on a bridge, or within 6 metres of one
• Do not stop alongside another vehicle where the roadway is less than 9 metres wide
• A vehicle is deemed abandoned after more than 24 hours outside an urban area or more than 7 days within one