Can You Always Park Where There Are Parking Lines on the Roadside?
2 Answers
You can park where there are parking lines on the roadside unless there are special signs prohibiting it. Here is some relevant information about roadside parking: 1. Basis: Parking is allowed where there are parking lines on the roadside. However, white dashed lines on pedestrian crossings indicate no parking, as pedestrian crossings are designated for pedestrians and parking is prohibited. According to Article 33 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, new, renovated, or expanded public buildings, commercial districts, residential areas, and large (medium)-sized buildings should be equipped with or have additional parking lots. If parking spaces are insufficient, timely renovations or expansions should be carried out. Parking lots in use must not be arbitrarily closed or repurposed. Within urban road areas, government authorities can designate parking spaces as long as they do not obstruct pedestrians or vehicles. 2. Requirements: If the driver is not present or refuses to leave immediately, the vehicle must not hinder the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. The vehicle may be towed to a location that does not obstruct traffic or to a place designated by the traffic management department of the public security authority. The traffic management department must not charge the vehicle owner for towing and should promptly inform the owner of the parking location. If the vehicle is damaged due to improper towing methods, compensation must be provided according to the law.
Having driven for over a decade, I used to assume that any roadside parking lines meant legal parking—until one lesson changed that. It happened near a school where clearly marked white lines tempted me to park conveniently all day. The next morning, a ticket on my windshield proved otherwise. A traffic police friend later explained that such lines often come with hidden restrictions, like no-parking windows or time-limited use. Even with visible lines, checking for no-parking signs, yellow curbs, or emergency lanes is crucial. Some areas retain old markings while traffic cameras enforce new rules. Bottom line: never rely solely on parking lines—circle the block for signs and context to avoid fines and frustration. Now, I play it safe by using paid lots when unsure, dodging ¥200 penalties and delays. Smart parking beats costly hindsight.
