Can I park my car in front of the house entrance without risking a ticket? Or are driveways to be kept clear as a matter of principle? Although the road traffic regulations clearly regulate this in this country, there are still many misunderstandings in this regard. We clarify.
In a nutshell
- Parking in front of driveways is not permitted according to Section 12 Paragraph 3 No. 3 of the Road Traffic Regulations
- It is also not allowed to park in narrow streets opposite
- Property owner may park in front of his exit and allow other people to park
- Stopping (no longer than three minutes) in front of entrances and exits is permitted
- The public order office is only responsible for illegal parking on public roads
Table of Contents
- That's what the traffic regulations say
- Recognize entry and exit
- Holding is allowed
- Parking on private property
- frequently asked Questions
That's what the traffic regulations say
Clause 12 Section. 3 No. 3 of the Road Traffic Act (StVO) states that parking in front of property entrances and exits is not permitted. If a street is narrow, you are not allowed to park on the opposite side of the street either. Parking is also not permitted if the curb is lowered (§ 12 Para. 3 No. 5).
Noisy § 2 Section. 1, all vehicles - including those not participating in the flow of traffic - must use the lane. If the house entrance is on a (public) footpath, you are not allowed to use it according to the StVO use as a parking lot. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to EUR 100 and one point.
In individual cases or for certain applicants, it may be § 46 Section. 1 Nos. 3 and 4 also give exceptions to the applicable parking and stopping bans. These include, for example, deliverers or supply service providers.
A notice: According to a court ruling (OLG Düsseldorf VM 79, 7), it is not illegal parking if the driver leaves his vehicle, but keeps a constant eye on it in order to clear the entrance at any time if necessary be able.
Recognize entry and exit
A driveway that connects a property to the public road can look very different. It is usually recognized by the lowered curb, but this lowering is not absolutely necessary. Therefore, also pay attention to other signs to recognize a driveway:
- garage door
- Goal
- local road markings
- Lanes on dirt roads
- "Keep the entrance clear" sign
A notice: If traffic is not obstructed, you may park in front of someone else's driveway. This also applies to driveways that are obviously unusable for any reason.
Parking next to entrances and exits
Parking next to a property entrance is permitted provided the curb is not lowered. There is no need to keep a certain distance from the access road, only no other road user may be obstructed.
Holding is allowed
The legislator distinguishes between parking and stopping. holding is a voluntary, up to three minutes continuous interruption of driving on the right side of the road. Stopping is also permitted in front of other people's property entrances.
A notice: §12 para. 4 of the StVO also stipulates that road users may only use the right-hand side of the road for stopping and parking - unless otherwise specified. Exceptions only apply to one-way streets and streets with rails on the right-hand side.
Parking on private property
The StVO only applies to parking violations on public roads. If a car is parked on a private area, for example directly in front of the garage, the public order office is not responsible. If problems arise that cannot be clarified, the police must be called in.
Parking in front of own driveway
The purpose of the parking ban in front of property entrances is that the owner can drive or park on his property at any time. can leave. It follows that he can park himself in front of the driveway. Other drivers may also park there if they agree, e.g. B. visitor. If the curb is lowered, however, the legal situation is no longer so clear. Because here the rights of other road users, such as wheelchair users or mothers with prams, could be curtailed. So it is not surprising that there is different case law depending on the starting point.
A notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute binding legal advice.
frequently asked Questions
If a car is parked in what appears to be a narrow street, other cars must be able to pass at a safe distance. If this cannot be guaranteed, the street is considered too narrow for parking. In case law, 3 m is considered sufficient. In addition, the user of the driveway must not be severely impeded when entering and exiting. There is no uniform case law. One-time advance or Reversing is considered reasonable, in urban areas often more complex maneuvering.
Yes. The StVO applies without exception throughout Germany and for every road user.
If the vehicle is parked on a public street, you can inform the local regulatory office or the police. They can order towing if you need to exit the driveway urgently. If the vehicle is parked on private property, you must first wait and see whether the owner will return in a timely manner. If the driver doesn't come back in time, you can call the towing service. However, you have to pay in advance and may be left with the costs.
