How many minutes are you allowed to park in the emergency lane?
2 Answers
You are allowed to park in the emergency lane for 2 minutes, but if the parking conditions do not comply with regulations, it is considered a violation. If a driver on the highway cannot continue driving due to physical illness and parks the vehicle in the emergency lane, this is legal and will not be penalized. If a vehicle suddenly breaks down on the highway and continuing to drive would endanger safety, occupying the emergency lane in such cases will not be penalized. Emergency vehicles like 120 ambulances can use the emergency lane when encountering traffic congestion. Vehicles handling emergency situations, such as accident rescue vehicles, fire trucks, and police cars performing urgent duties, are also permitted to use the emergency lane.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many people casually stopping on the emergency lane to use their phones or rest—it's so dangerous! The emergency lane is absolutely not meant for parking for a few minutes; it's only for genuine emergencies like a flat tire or vehicle breakdown. The law doesn't specify exact minutes but emphasizes that you must resolve the issue in the shortest possible time—maybe just a few minutes to change a tire or wait for help. Staying longer risks fines of hundreds of yuan or even penalty points. If you stop randomly, with others driving fast, rear-end collisions can happen in seconds. Remember: at the first sign of trouble, immediately turn on hazard lights and place a warning triangle, then leave as soon as it's handled. Best to make it a habit—check your car before long trips and rest at service areas for safety.
