What are the penalties for illegal parking?
2 Answers
Illegal parking will result in a fine. If the driver is present, the traffic police can point out the violation and issue a verbal warning, instructing the driver to leave immediately. Generally, the driver only needs to leave quickly without facing a fine. If the driver is not present, in addition to issuing a fine and a ticket, the traffic police department has the authority to tow the vehicle to a location that does not obstruct traffic or to a designated parking area by the traffic management authorities. More relevant information is as follows: Note 1: No points will be deducted for illegal parking, but different fines may be imposed depending on the situation, or the penalty may be waived. If the parking obstructs other vehicles or pedestrians, the traffic police have the right to tow the vehicle. Note 2: If the traffic police issue a ticket for illegal parking and the owner is nearby and willing to cooperate by moving the vehicle, the penalty may be waived. After all, the fine is not the goal; maintaining normal traffic order and cultivating drivers' awareness of regulations are the ultimate objectives.
I've been driving a ride-hailing car in the city for five years, and the most common issue is passengers rushing to get in or out, leading to illegal parking fines. Nowadays, electronic surveillance is extremely strict—parking for just three minutes on a solid yellow line by the roadside guarantees a ticket. Regular areas start at 200 yuan, while strictly controlled zones impose a 200-yuan fine plus 3 demerit points. Last week, I saw a rookie park in a fire lane, blocking a fire truck, which resulted in both a fine and a spot on the local news. It’s even worse on highways—parking in the emergency lane means a 200-yuan fine plus 6 demerit points, a total disaster. Remember these high-risk spots: no parking within 5 meters of a crosswalk, 30 meters of a bus stop, or 50 meters of an intersection. The Traffic Management 12123 app makes handling fines convenient, but I always advise passengers to walk a bit further to find a white-lined parking spot for safety.
