What are the rules for illegal parking captured by mobile enforcement vehicles?
3 Answers
The following are the relevant rules regarding illegal parking captures: 1. Determination of illegal parking: Any motor vehicle parked in violation of regulations constitutes illegal parking, regardless of whether the driver is present in the vehicle. Motor vehicles should be parked in designated areas. However, if someone is in the vehicle and drives away when traffic police arrive for enforcement, no penalty will be issued. 2. Legal parking locations: Parking is prohibited in sections with no-parking signs/markings, road sections with separation facilities between motor and non-motor lanes/sidewalks, crosswalks, and construction zones. According to law, when temporarily parked, vehicles must stay close to the right side of the road, drivers must remain in the vehicle, and must depart immediately after passengers alight/board or goods are loaded/unloaded.
Mobile enforcement vehicles typically record parking violations in accordance with urban traffic regulations. I remember once seeing such a vehicle in the city center parked in an inconspicuous spot. Whenever a car parked in a no-parking zone exceeded the allowed time limit, the camera would automatically capture the license plate. The general rules are: vehicles cannot park on solid yellow lines, bus lanes, or fire lanes, and parking for more than five minutes may also be recorded. Some areas allow temporary parking, but it depends on whether the signage specifies a time limit. When I drive, I always avoid hotspots like school entrances or hospital areas, as getting caught can result in fines of 100-200 RMB and penalty points. These systems are designed to prevent congestion and safety issues caused by illegal parking. It's best to check a map app or plan parking spots in advance before driving. Otherwise, like my friend who got fined, you might waste several days dealing with the ticket—quite a hassle.
From some reports I've seen, mobile enforcement vehicles use high-tech cameras and GPS systems to monitor road sections in real time. The parking violation rules mainly target parking in designated no-stopping zones, such as double yellow line areas, intersections, or unmarked spaces. These systems automatically record license plates, time, and location. If a vehicle remains parked beyond the locally permitted duration, which varies from three to ten minutes, it will be photographed and entered into the database. Regulations differ slightly between cities—for example, Beijing is stricter, while Shanghai may be more lenient during certain periods. I've noticed these measures aim to alleviate urban parking pressure and reduce traffic congestion incidents. It's advisable to keep a phone mount in your car and use traffic apps for real-time alerts. Additionally, enforcement tends to be stricter during rainy days or holidays, so finding a legal parking space is always the safest option.
