Can you park temporarily by the roadside white solid line?
3 Answers
Roadside white solid lines cannot determine whether temporary parking is allowed, as there is no inherent connection between white solid lines and parking. Introduction to white solid lines: The white solid line at the edge of the road is actually the boundary line of the motor vehicle lane, used to separate the motor vehicle lane from non-motorized vehicle lanes or sidewalks. There is no necessary connection between white solid lines and whether parking is allowed. Where there are white solid lines, drivers need to refer to other signs and markings to determine whether parking is permitted. Prohibition of long-term and temporary parking: Parking is prohibited where there is a yellow solid line by the roadside, or a '×' no-parking sign, or a no-parking sign with a diagonal line and the word 'stop'.
I've been driving for a few years now, and when I first started learning, I was particularly confused by the various lines on the roadside. A solid white line at the roadside represents absolutely no parking, including what you might call temporary stops, like dropping off or picking up passengers or waiting for someone—not even for a minute is allowed. The traffic rules clearly state this because white lines are used to ensure smooth and safe road conditions, preventing vehicles from blocking visibility or causing congestion. If you do park there, getting caught by traffic police could result in a fine of over 200 yuan, and you might also get points deducted. In cities, you especially need to be careful, as some intersections have cameras monitoring 24/7. The exception is if there's a special sign indicating that temporary parking is allowed—then you can stop for a few minutes, but generally, you won't come across such signs. It's advisable to develop the habit of parking in parking lots or designated areas and not to take risks to save money—safety comes first.
As a veteran long-haul driver with over a decade of experience, I've seen too many rookies make this mistake. The solid white line on the roadside means 'NO STOPPING' in capital letters – not even temporarily. Last time I stopped for two minutes by a solid white line near a school gate to pick up my kid, I got caught on camera and fined 150 yuan – a painful lesson. That line is designed to prevent accidents caused by random lane occupation, like sudden braking or pedestrian collisions. Under normal road rules, a white line functions as a prohibition symbol; only yellow lines or dashed line sections might allow brief stops. My advice is to drive further to find a legal parking spot, otherwise you'll get penalty points and a blemish on your driving record. Remember this tip to save yourself trouble and peace of mind.
