Is temporary parking allowed on the roadside?
4 Answers
Parking is allowed on roadsides with marked parking lines. Vehicles can temporarily park on roadsides without parking lines or no-parking signs, but they must comply with parking regulations. Relevant departments of the municipal government may designate parking spaces on urban roads without obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic and specify the usage time for these parking spaces. When temporarily parking on the road, motor vehicles must adhere to the following regulations: 1. No parking is allowed in sections with no-parking signs or markings, sections with separation facilities between motor vehicle lanes and non-motor vehicle lanes or sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, or construction zones; 2. No parking is allowed at intersections, railway crossings, sharp curves, narrow roads less than 4 meters wide, bridges, steep slopes, tunnels, or within 50 meters of these locations; 3. No parking is allowed in front of bus stops, emergency stations, gas stations, fire hydrants, or fire stations (or within 30 meters of these locations), except for vehicles using these facilities; 4. Doors must not be opened or passengers allowed to board or alight before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and opening doors must not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians; 5. Roadside parking must be close to the right side of the road, and the driver must not leave the vehicle. The vehicle must depart immediately after passengers board or alight or goods are loaded or unloaded; 6. Urban buses must not stop to pick up or drop off passengers outside designated bus stops.
I often need to make temporary stops by the roadside while driving, such as picking up a friend or buying something. Generally speaking, temporary parking is allowed in many places, but rules must be followed: you can only park in areas with temporary parking signs, and the duration should not exceed 15 minutes. I pay special attention not to block traffic or fire lanes. Once, I parked in the wrong spot and almost caused a rear-end collision, which was really dangerous. Safety is the top priority, so I suggest always taking a quick look around for no-parking signs before stopping, and it's best to find a spacious spot. In cities, there are many surveillance cameras, and a single violation can result in a fine starting from 200 yuan, not to mention disrupting traffic order. Developing good habits makes parking more convenient and safer.
As an experienced driver, I've had a few encounters with temporary parking fines. That time I parked on the roadside in the city center for about ten minutes without noticing it was a no-parking zone, and ended up with a 300-yuan fine. Roadside parking requires careful observation: areas without prohibition signs or with yellow line markings allow short-term parking, but never park near corners or bus stops. I think the rules are quite clear—if there's no sign, don't take the risk. Fines are one thing, but causing an accident would be much worse, so I usually prefer to find a proper spot or parking lot when driving. Also, don't turn off the engine but keep it running to avoid being mistaken for long-term space occupation. Temporary parking is meant for convenience, so don't create trouble for yourself.
When I first started driving, I thought it was okay to park briefly on the roadside. Once, I stopped for a few minutes at the entrance of my neighborhood to pick up something, and the security guard told me it was a no-parking zone and almost issued a ticket. Now I understand: whether you can park temporarily on the roadside depends on the signs. You can park briefly where blue signs allow it. If it's not allowed, leave immediately. I suggest beginners pay attention to time control; 5-10 minutes is the safest. Just don’t block the road.
