No parking signs: they mean exactly

You should not only know the meaning of the no parking signs, you should also adhere to them. Otherwise, the fun will quickly become expensive and if it gets really bad, you will be left without a car after your shopping spree.

No parking signs - the restricted and the absolute no parking

If you park your car in a no-stop zone, you are committing an administrative offense under the traffic regulations. If you get caught - and this is very likely in the cities - a fine is usually due. In the worst case, your car will be towed, which is associated with high costs.

• A basic distinction is made between the absolute and the restricted stopping ban. Whereby stopping is the colloquial term. According to the Road Traffic Regulations, or StVO for short, it must correctly be called "no stopping". And what is known colloquially as a parking ban can be found in the StVO under the term "restricted parking ban".
• In the case of an absolute stop, you must not stop in the corresponding area, let alone park your car.
• The restricted stopping ban is not quite as rigorous. You can stop for a short moment, for example to let someone get out. The short stop must be really short, it can last a maximum of three minutes. If you are observed that you stand there longer, and if it is only five minutes, that is considered parking. Accordingly, this will be punished. In short: Unauthorized parking is generally considered to be in the same place for more than three minutes and / or leaving the car.
• No rule without exception: If you have to deliver goods, for example, you can usually hold a little longer to load or unload. However, you must not move further than necessary from the vehicle and the process must be carried out quickly. So if you go for a coffee on the occasion, it can be expensive.
• There are also so-called temporary no-hold areas. These are often set up for removals. If you live in the middle of the city and have a major move ahead of you, you can request a temporary stopping in front of the house. However, you should try to do this in good time and it is not free of charge. Depending on the city, you have to expect around 30 to 50 euros. The traffic signs - with information about the period for which the ban applies - must be set up about three to four days in advance.
• You will be provided with the corresponding traffic signs. On the other hand, you should not tinker and set up your own signs. Strictly speaking, this is not allowed and could cause additional problems.

No stopping signs - that is what you mean

The no-stop signs are round and blue, with a very wide red border. Depending on whether it is an absolute or a restricted stopping ban, the traffic sign adorns a red crossbar or two bars in the form of a cross.

• A red cross line is drawn over the traffic sign with the official designation Z286 StVO. The traffic sign stands for the restricted ban on stopping.
• You can easily recognize the traffic sign with the official designation Z283 StVO by the bright red cross in the middle. The traffic sign indicates an absolute stop.
• White arrows on the no parking sign indicate for which area the respective prohibition applies: Beginning of the no parking: A white arrow pointing in the direction of the lane. Middle of the no-parking zone: two white arrows, each pointing in a different direction. End of parking ban: A white arrow pointing in the opposite direction of the lane.
• If you do not see any white arrows on the traffic sign, it is a more extensive ban on stopping.
• There are often white signs below the traffic signs that you should not ignore. The signs contain important information about the parking ban. For example, if you see times such as Mon - Fri from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., this means that the ban only applies during this time.

You have definitely seen it, but do you also know what the traffic sign with the orange arrow means?