Many drivers know the situation: you “just stop quickly” at the roadside – and end up with a fine tucked behind the windscreen wiper. The reason is often the same: confusing stopping with parking.
Yet the differences are clearly defined in the law – and knowing them saves nerves and money.
What does “stopping” mean?
Stopping refers to a deliberate interruption of your drive that is not caused by traffic conditions (e.g. a traffic jam) or by an official order (e.g. a red traffic light).
This includes, for example, briefly stopping to let passengers in or out, or to load and unload goods. A small, immediate action right next to the car (e.g. setting up the sat nav) also counts.
Important: Stopping is always limited to its immediate purpose (an action directly connected with the stop). As a rule, you stay inside the car or right beside it.
What does “parking” mean?
Parking begins as soon as the stop no longer serves an immediate purpose – such as letting passengers in or out, loading goods, or another short action right at the car.
The key point is not the duration but the purpose of the standstill. That means it does not matter whether you stay inside the car or even keep the engine running – if there is no immediate purpose, it counts as parking.
Rule of thumb: As soon as you leave your car or remain stationary without an immediate purpose, you are parking.
Why is the distinction important?
Because different rules apply:
Stopping is allowed in many places, as long as no one is obstructed or endangered.
Parking requires a ticket or a parking disc, depending on the location – or may even be completely prohibited in certain zones (e.g. fire access routes, no-parking zones).
The problem: Anyone who thinks they are “just stopping for a moment” but is in fact already parking risks a fine – even if it is only for a few minutes.
Typical misconceptions
“I left the engine running, so it’s not parking.” → Wrong!
Even with the engine running, it can be parking.“I only went to the kiosk for a minute, that still counts as stopping.” → Wrong!
Once the stop no longer serves an immediate purpose, it counts as parking.“I can stop as long as I want for loading and unloading.” → Only partly true.
It only applies while you are actively loading or unloading – otherwise you are parking.
How to avoid fines
Always check signs and road markings carefully
Use a parking disc or buy a ticket if you leave your car without an immediate purpose
Stay inside the car or right next to it if you are only stopping
Remember: the purpose matters, not the length of time
How does it work with Carvolution?
That you won’t get a fine – unfortunately, we can’t promise you that 😉. But if it does happen, the fine will come to us first, because Carvolution is listed in the car registration. We then simply forward it to you.
When it comes to parking damage, though, it’s much easier: with our parking insurance you are fully protected and don’t pay a penny if someone damages your car – up to two claims per year are covered.
And the best part: With Carvolution, everything is far simpler than the complicated rules around stopping and parking. Insurance, service and repairs are all included – so you can always stay relaxed on the road.
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