How Long Can You Park with Hazard Lights On?
3 Answers
Parking with hazard lights on by the roadside is generally allowed for about 5 minutes. The purpose of turning on hazard lights is to alert other vehicles in case of emergencies. The functions of hazard lights include: 1. Drawing attention from other vehicles when encountering breakdowns or accidents; 2. Preventing rear-end collisions when parking by the roadside. Situations requiring hazard light usage are: 1. Vehicle breakdown or traffic accident on the road; 2. Roadside parking; 3. Driving in foggy conditions; 4. When towing a malfunctioning vehicle, both the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle should activate hazard warning lights; 5. Temporary parking on driving lanes; 6. Visibility less than 100m; 7. Transporting critically ill patients; 8. Vehicles reversing or making U-turns in complex road sections.
I usually drive out a lot and occasionally turn on the hazard lights for a temporary stop by the roadside, such as picking someone up or grabbing something, but I really can’t stay too long. Last week, I was waiting for a friend with my hazard lights on in the city center for just over 4 minutes when the police came and urged me to move, saying this kind of stop should last no more than 3-5 minutes. Staying longer might block traffic, and other drivers passing by might not see clearly and hit the car. The rules are strict in the city—don’t exceed this time limit; in suburban or rural areas, it might be a bit more lenient, but it’s still best to keep it short and only for emergencies. I recommend finding a parking spot in advance to avoid trouble. Turning on hazard lights as a warning when parking is good, but it doesn’t mean you can stay there indefinitely—getting a scratch or a fine would be a big loss. Safety first.
Turning on hazard lights and parking by the roadside is considered a temporary stop in traffic regulations, with no fixed time limit. Most places allow a few minutes by default. When I drove a taxi, I often encountered this situation, such as when passengers were getting on or off the car with hazard lights on—generally, it shouldn’t exceed 5 minutes. If parked too long, traffic police may intervene due to lane obstruction or potential accidents. In city centers, the time is shorter, around 2 minutes; in rural areas, it might be more lenient. Don’t rely on it—always choose a legal parking spot when needed. Importantly, hazard lights don’t guarantee exemption from fines; it depends on whether it’s an emergency. Once, I parked too long and almost caused a rear-end collision. The lesson: in heavy traffic, stop for just tens of seconds; in lighter traffic, 3 minutes at most. Develop good habits—park quickly by the roadside and finish up fast.
