Will parking the car in the opposite direction result in penalty points?
4 Answers
Parking the car in the opposite direction will incur a fine, as it is considered reverse parking. In China, vehicles drive on the right side of the road, so when parking on the roadside, the car should be parked close to the right side of the road. Therefore, if the driver's side door is next to the traffic lane when parking, it is considered forward parking; otherwise, it is reverse parking. Reverse parking is a violation of parking regulations and is essentially driving in the wrong direction. This traffic violation can result in a fine of 200 yuan and 3 penalty points if severe. According to Article 63, Item 5 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": When temporarily parking a motor vehicle on the road, the following regulations must be observed: 1. Roadside parking should be close to the right side of the road: The driver of the motor vehicle must not leave the vehicle and should drive away immediately after passengers get on or off or items are loaded or unloaded; 2. The right edge of the vehicle body should not be more than 0.5 meters from the edge of the road: According to the regulations on parking in the direction of travel, motor vehicles must not park in the opposite direction when temporarily parked. Even if parked within a parking space, parking in the opposite direction is still considered illegal parking.
Last time I parked in the city without paying attention to the direction and got fined. This issue depends on road regulations—usually when there's a no reverse parking sign on the road, parking the wrong way is definitely a violation, resulting in 3 penalty points and a 200 yuan fine. I remember that time I parked the wrong way on a one-way street, and the traffic police immediately issued a ticket. It's important to develop the habit of scanning road signs before parking. It might be more lenient in residential areas, but on main roads, you must park in the direction indicated by the arrow. Checking your surroundings when temporarily exiting the car is even safer, saving you the hassle. Ultimately, the fine is a small matter—the key is that parking the wrong way could obstruct traffic or cause scratches. Safety comes first. Small parking details can really save you big trouble.
As someone who frequently studies traffic regulations, I can clearly state that whether this situation incurs penalty points depends on the strictness of law enforcement. In urban areas with clear parking direction markings, reverse parking is a violation and will be penalized according to the Road Traffic Safety Law, typically resulting in a 3-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine. For example, in certain strictly monitored sections of Beijing, cameras automatically capture such violations. However, in suburban areas or older residential neighborhoods without clear markings, enforcement may be more lenient. It is advisable to proactively align your vehicle properly when parking, as this facilitates easier departure and reduces risks. Regularly follow local traffic police social media accounts, as such regulations are frequently updated. Safe driving should never rely on luck; standardized operations benefit both yourself and others.
When I was a novice, I made this mistake by thinking I could park in any empty spot. Ended up parking against the flow in a mall underground garage—no ticket but got a warning from security. Learned my lesson: now I always check ground arrows before parking. If markings are unclear or absent, it's usually fine, but best to align with nearby cars. Key point: never go against one-way signs. Nowadays, I check local traffic apps on my phone for parking rules beforehand—much more reassuring. Bottom line: make it a habit to slow down, observe signs before parking, align with arrows, and only turn off the engine once properly parked.
