Does a driver remaining in the car count as illegal parking?

[DeBennett]

Driving a motor vehicle on roads or sections with no-parking or restricted-parking signs, even if the driver remains in the vehicle, constitutes illegal parking. Extended content: Temporary parking violations include: 1. Parking on the left side of the road in the direction of travel with the driver remaining in the vehicle. 2. Parking at intersections, railway crossings, curves, narrow roads, bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, or within 20 meters of these locations. 3. Parking in front of emergency stations, gas stations, fire hydrants, fire stations, or within 30 meters of these locations. 4. Temporary parking at night without turning on the width lights. The above behaviors should be fined and penalized with 2 demerit points.

[MacChristian]

As an ordinary office worker who commutes by car every day, I once got fined by traffic police while waiting for someone by the roadside near my office building. Even though I was sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running, I was penalized because I parked next to a no-stopping zone marked by a yellow line. This taught me a valuable lesson: being in the car doesn't necessarily mean you're exempt from illegal parking—it all depends on the parking environment. In busy urban areas or clearly marked no-stopping zones like hospital entrances, even a brief stop could result in a ticket, especially if caught by traffic cameras or if you obstruct others. However, in temporary parking spots at public places or taxi-only zones, staying in the car is usually permitted as a short-term convenience. For safety, I've learned how crucial it is to understand local signage—always glance around for no-parking signs or warning lines before stopping, and checking nearby rules via mobile maps is even better. To avoid trouble, I now frequently use paid parking lots or choose corners that don't block traffic. Since making this a habit, I've hardly encountered any fines.

[IsabelRose]

Having driven for many years, my experience tells me that illegal parking doesn't depend on whether the driver is in the car, but rather on whether the parking violates regulations. For example, stopping at a red light intersection or within ten meters of a bus stop, regardless of whether you're sitting in the car with the engine running, the police may still approach to handle the situation; these are areas explicitly prohibited by law. In daily life, I've noticed that temporary pick-up/drop-off zones like school gates may allow parking during specific time slots, during which it's fine for the driver to remain in the car. I recommend everyone familiarize themselves with common no-parking signs, such as single yellow lines indicating time-restricted no-parking and double yellow lines meaning absolutely no parking; when parking, ensure you don't block traffic flow or cause accidents. A practical tip is to look for temporary roadside parking spots marked with white lines where you can stop for a few minutes and then quickly drive away—this way, you both follow the rules and save time. Remember, when law enforcement officers are on the street, they observe whether vehicles are parked or temporarily stopped, and being flexible in response is wiser than stubborn resistance.

[OCameron]

I've had quite a bit of experience with urban driving. For instance, when waiting for Didi drivers in downtown areas, they often pull over temporarily without turning off the engine – this isn't considered a violation because traffic regulations target stationary parking rather than temporary stops while the driver remains in motion. However, if you park in the wrong spot like a crosswalk or fire lane, you might still get fined even if you're sitting in the car – a friend of mine learned this the hard way. Safety-wise, avoid stopping in narrow lanes or blocking pedestrian pathways. Using Amap's parking reminder feature helps tremendously to avoid restricted zones. Regulations vary by city – Beijing and Shanghai are stricter, while smaller cities may be more lenient. The key is to choose legal parking spots whenever possible and keep your stops brief.