What is the penalty for parking a car on the sidewalk?
3 Answers
Parking a car on the crosswalk generally results in a fine and a deduction of three points from the driver's license. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law: Article 93 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": For violations of the laws and regulations on the parking or temporary stopping of motor vehicles, the illegal act may be pointed out, and an oral warning may be given, ordering the immediate departure of the vehicle. If the driver of the motor vehicle is not present or refuses to leave immediately despite being present, obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, a fine shall be imposed, and the motor vehicle may be towed to a location that does not obstruct traffic or to a location designated by the traffic management department of the public security organ. Precautions for vehicle parking: When parking in series on the roadside, try to stay as close as possible to the right sidewalk, but avoid driving onto it. Leave some space at both the front and rear of the vehicle to facilitate exiting and provide space for other vehicles to exit. Otherwise, when another vehicle is maneuvering in front of or behind your car, your vehicle is at the greatest risk.
When I first started driving last year, I accidentally parked my car by the sidewalk and received a fine the next day—200 yuan and 3 penalty points. That was a hard lesson—I forgot sidewalks are pedestrian-only zones, and parking there could block blind people or parents with strollers. Now I use a parking app to find legal spots and avoid illegal parking. Remember, urban surveillance is everywhere—never park illegally for convenience. Always check markings before parking roadside, or you’ll waste money and risk accidents. Proper parking is basic courtesy—it saves money and keeps roads safer.
Having driven for over 20 years, I've seen too many people park their cars on sidewalks for convenience, only to get caught by traffic police each time, resulting in a 200-yuan fine and 3 points deducted from their license. That's considered light; some cities impose even harsher penalties. This kind of violation not only costs money but also easily leads to pedestrians detouring and getting hit. A friend of mine had an accident because of this. I suggest fellow drivers develop the habit of planning parking spots before heading out. Don't assume no one is watching in some corner—cameras are everywhere. Putting safety first is always the right choice.
