Regulations on stopping and parking

Stop

Stopping means that the vehicle has come to a halt for a reason other than:

• Avoiding danger.
• It being required by the traffic conditions.
• Parking.

No stopping or parking (stopping prohibition)

• Where the sign No stopping or parking is posted.
• On or 10 metres before pedestrian crossing, foot path, bicycle passage, bicycle crossing or bicycle path.
  • You are permitted to stop directly after these, as this does not entail you blocking those crossing from view.
• Within 10 metres of a junction.
• Where you obstruct the view or a road sign.
• In a tunnel.
• On a road where there is a solid line on your side, if there is less than three metres between your car and the line.
• In a roundabout.
• In a public transport lane.
• By a yellow solid line.
• On an obstruction marking.
• In the intersection between a car road and a railway or tramway.
• On a dual track for pedestrians, cyclists and moped drivers.
• On a motorway or clearway.

Parking

Parking means that the vehicle, with or without the driver, has been stationed for a reason other than:

• Avoiding danger.
• It being required by the traffic conditions.
• Loading and unloading.
• Dropping off and picking up passengers.

No parking (parking prohibition)

• In places where stopping is prohibited, parking is always prohibited.
• Where the sign Vehicle parking prohibited is posted.
• Within 30 metres of a railway or tramway crossing.
• Where the vehicle is facing the direction of traffic (“wrong side of the road”).
• On a priority road.
  • Exception: Not applicable if there is a parking sign.
• Where you are blocking someone’s exit.
• Alongside another vehicle or obstruction (double parking).
  • Exception: Not applicable if you park next to a bicycle, moped or motorcycle (two-wheeled vehicles).
• Where one of the wheels are outside of a parking bay or similar line marking.
• At a passing place (M sign).
• At a yellow broken line.

General information about stopping and parking

• A single blue parking sign means that parking is permitted for a maximum 24 hours on weekdays. On Saturdays (incl. days before public holiday) and Sundays (incl. public holidays) there is no time limit. Note that there are often additional panels to set a time limit.
• A parking disc is an alternative to the car park ticket (the additional panel indicates the use of a parking disc). Set the parking disc to your arrival time. Arrival time = when you arrive at the parking area and begin parking, not when you intend to come back to get the car.
• It is prohibited to leave the car keys in a parked car. It should, for example, be impossible for a child to start the car and cause an accident.
• In the summer, it can get very hot in the car. Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car during the summer!
• Parking spaces for disabled drivers may only be used by those with a parking permit. Without a permit, you are only allowed to stop in order to drop off or pick up passengers.
• You are only permitted to stop or park on the right side of the road.
  • Exception 1: You may park on the left side of a one-way street.
  • Exception 2: You may park on the left if there are railway or tramway tracks on the right side.
• Stopping and parking shall be done as far from the middle of the road as possible.
• If you park on the side of a road in the dark, you shall turn on your parking lights so that other road users can see your car.
• Turning the wheels in an uphill or downhill slope in order to prevent the car from rolling out into the street:
  • Uphill slope: Away from the kerb, turn the wheel to the left so that the wheels are turned towards the street.
  • Downhill slope: Towards the kerb, turn the wheel to the right so that the wheels are turned away from the street.

Time indications on additional panel

It is normally said that the numbers within parentheses “are applicable on Saturdays”. This is nearly always the case. However, it would be more correct to say that the numbers within the parentheses are applicable on the day before a Sunday or public holiday. If New Year’s Day (public holiday) falls on a Wednesday, the day before (i.e. Tuesday) is considered a Saturday, as it is the day before a Sunday or public holiday.

Zone sign

• The zone sign means that it is prohibited to park within the area.
  • Exception: Parking is permitted in allocated spaces (where a parking sign is posted).

Alternate-side parking

• Even dates: It is prohibited to park on the side with even house numbers (e.g. 2, 16, 40).
• Odd date: It is prohibited to park on the side with odd house numbers (e.g. 3, 17, 41).
• Applicable during the times indicated on the sign.
• These zones exist to facilitate the work of snowploughs, etc.

Bus stops

• You may stop to drop off and pick up passengers, as long as it does not hinder a bus or a tram.
• This is applicable 20 metres before and 5 metres after the bus stop, as the bus requires more room to pull into the stop than to exit.

The vehicle can be towed if it

• Is parked in a parking space for disabled drivers without a permit.
• Is parked on a dual track for pedestrians and cyclists, a bus stop, public transport lane or too close to a pedestrian crossing.
• Is parked where it hinders road maintenance.
• Appears to have been abandoned (7 days in the same place, unless it is permitted to park there for 7 days).
• Is a wreck.
• Has received a driving ban or is not safe.

Last updated 2021-01-22.