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Stopping and Parking: Complete Guide

The law distinguishes two terms:

• Stopping (zastavení): Bringing the vehicle to rest for the minimum time needed for passengers to get in/out or for loading/unloading.
• Parking (stání): Any standstill exceeding stopping.
• Stopped by traffic: Red light, congestion, STOP sign (not driver's choice).

General rules

• Stop or park on the right side, in direction of travel, as close as possible to the edge
• On a one-way street (IP4a/4b): left side also permitted
• Normally in one row, parallel to road edge
• In built-up areas: cars up to 3.5 t may park perpendicularly, diagonally, or in a second row if safe
• Taxis: may stop in second row for passenger entry/exit if safe
• Signal beforehand with indicator; open doors safely
• Before leaving vehicle: prevent it from moving

Explanation

Where stopping and parking are PROHIBITED:

• On tram rails or tram lanes; between 5:00–19:00 parking forbidden if less than 3.5 m remains beside nearest tram rail
• On grass or vegetation (unless permitted by local sign)
• Where it would endanger traffic or block other vehicles
• On roundabouts (parking only forbidden)
• On motorways / highways – only in marked areas (emergency: shoulder)
• Outside built-up areas: on Class I roads (and Class II/III in poor visibility) – only in marked places
• On pavements (even if permitted by IP11d–11g: forbidden for vehicles over 3.5 t, tractors, motorised carts)
• On pedestrian crossings and cycle crossings and 5 m before them (§ 27(1)(c)); on a railway crossing and 15 m before and after it (§ 27(1)(g))
• In tunnels, on bridges, in joining/exit lanes
• Less than 30 m before and 5 m after bus/tram stop post
• In reserved lanes (IP20a) or cycle lanes

Lateral clearance distances

5-metre rule at intersections

Must not stop or park within 5 m from the intersection boundary. Where road markings exist:

• V5 (solid transverse line) = intersection boundary
• V6a (Give way symbol) = intersection boundary
• V6b (STOP inscription) = both boundary and must-stop point

Local regulation – parking signs and zones

*Prohibitory signs*

Under the sign there may be a supplementary plate (E) indicating the extent:

• ↑ Start of restriction
• ↓ End of restriction
• ↕ Restriction applies both directions from sign

Yellow horizontal road markings on kerb:

• V12c (solid yellow line): no stopping
• V12d (broken yellow line): no parking

*Zone signs (IZ)*

• IZ5a Residential zone (20 km/h)
• IZ6a Pedestrian zone (20 km/h)
• IZ8a Traffic restricted zone (specific rules)

*Parking permission signs (IP 11a–13f)*

Vertical IP signs indicate where stopping and parking is PERMITTED. Horizontal markings V10a–10g specify parking method (parallel/perpendicular/diagonal/time-limited/reserved).

K+R (Kiss & Ride): short stop only for passenger entry/exit. P+R (Park & Ride): long-term parking for public transport interchange.

Exceptions and special privileges

• Disabled vehicle (O7): may in urgent cases ignore no-parking (but not no-stopping), provided traffic is not endangered. May enter supply or pedestrian zones if necessary.

End of IP sign validity

Parking permission sign validity ends 5 m before the nearest intersection, unless extended by road markings or another sign. Entry/exit from private property interrupts validity.

Summary

• Stopping = minimum necessary time; parking = anything longer
• Always park right, close to edge (left also on one-way)
• 5 m from intersection boundary: no stopping or parking
• 30 m before bus/tram stop: no stopping
• Rescue lane: leftmost lane left, all others right

What the law says

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

1. Question 1 of 5

   Can stopping be made before the nearest traffic sign for the purpose of immediate unloading of goods?

   
   Yes.No.

2. Question 2 of 5

   Is it permitted to stop behind the nearest traffic sign for the immediate disembarkation of passengers?

   
   Yes.No.

3. Question 3 of 5

   Select the correct meaning of the sign:

   
   Stopping is prohibited, meaning bringing the vehicle to a standstill, except in cases caused by traffic conditions on the roads, such as a stationary queue of vehicles, etc.Stopping is prohibited, meaning the vehicle cannot be stationary for longer than necessary for the immediate boarding or alighting of passengers or for the immediate loading and unloading of goods.Cancels the validity of the no waiting restriction.

4. Question 4 of 5

   This traffic sign:

   
   Stopping or parking is prohibited, that is, bringing the vehicle to a standstill, except in cases caused by circumstances in road traffic, such as a queue of stationary vehicles, etc.Stopping is prohibited, meaning the vehicle must not be stationary for longer than necessary for the immediate boarding or alighting of passengers or for the immediate loading and unloading of goods.Stopping is prohibited except for the time strictly necessary for the immediate boarding or alighting of passengers or for the immediate loading or unloading of goods.

5. Question 5 of 5

   What does this traffic sign mean for a motor vehicle driver?

   
   The driver may stop for the time strictly necessary for the immediate boarding or alighting of passengers, or for the immediate loading or unloading of goods; however, parking is not permitted.The driver may not even stop for the time strictly necessary for the immediate boarding or alighting of passengers, or for the immediate loading or unloading of goods.The driver may not stop, park, or halt the vehicle.