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Where Parking is Prohibited

In the previous lesson, we learned the difference between stopping and parking. Now we will look at specific situations where parking is prohibited and how to park correctly where it is allowed.

Proper parking is not just about rules - a poorly parked car can endanger other road users, block emergency services, or cause an accident.

Explanation

PARKING PROHIBITIONS - overview:

1. IN FRONT of a pedestrian crossing up to 5 m (in the direction of travel) 2. At an intersection and closer than 5 m from the edge of the intersection 3. At a railway crossing and up to 15 m from it 4. At a public transport stop (in the area marked by the stop sign and yellow line) 5. In a tunnel and on a bridge 6. On a motorway, road for motor vehicles, or first-class road outside of a parking lot 7. Where the vehicle would obscure a traffic sign or traffic light 8. On the sidewalk (unless permitted by a sign) 9. In a bike lane 10. On grass and greenery (road vegetation)

YELLOW LINES at the edge of the roadway:

HOW TO PARK CORRECTLY:

1. PARALLEL PARKING (parallel to the curb):

2. PERPENDICULAR PARKING:

3. ANGLED PARKING:

4. PARKING UPHILL:

5. Secure the vehicle: handbrake, 1st gear or reverse, lock it.

Example

Practical examples:

1. You want to park on the street, 4 meters before the crossing: NOT ALLOWED (must be at least 5 m BEFORE the crossing)

2. You want to park 6 meters after the crossing: YOU CAN (the prohibition only applies to the area BEFORE the crossing)

3. On a first-class road: NOT ALLOWED (parking is prohibited outside of a parking lot). Stopping (boarding/alighting) is allowed, but parking is not.

4. On a sidewalk with the traffic sign 'Parking on the sidewalk' (IP 11): YOU CAN, but only in the manner indicated on the sign

5. Uphill facing up: use the parking brake and engage 1st gear

Common mistakes

Common mistakes:

1. "The 5 meters also applies after the crossing" - NO! The 5 m prohibition only applies BEFORE the crossing in the direction of travel.

2. "You can never park on the sidewalk" - NO! If there is a sign 'Parking on the sidewalk', you can park there.

4. "3 meters for the passage of other vehicles is enough to estimate" - It's better to check. If you don't leave 3 m, the car may be towed.

Explanation

Road Traffic Rules stopping Parking STOPPING (ZASTAVENÍ) AND PARKING (STÁNÍ) In Czech traffic law, there is a difference between stopping and parking: • Stopping (Zastavení): bringing the vehicle to a stop for a short time – only to let someone get in or out, or to load/unload things. • Parking (Stání): leaving the vehicle stopped for a longer time than necessary for stopping. There is also another term, “stopping the vehicle” which means bringing the car to a stop not by choice, but because of the situation — for example, at a red light, in a traffic jam, or at a STOP sign. I. GENERAL RULES • Where to Stop or Park: Always stop or park on the right side of the road, in the direction of travel, as close as possible to the edge. On a one-way street (signs IP 4a or IP 4b), you may also stop or park on the left side. • Position of the Vehicle: Normally, vehicles should stop or park in one row and parallel to the road edge. • Exceptions in Towns: In built-up areas (villages or towns), cars up to 3.5 tons may park perpendicular or diagonal to the road edge, or even stop in a second row, if it does not endanger or block traffic. • Taxis: Marked taxis may stop in a second row when picking up or dropping off passengers, but only if it is safe and does not disturb traffic. • Signaling and Exiting: Use the turn signal before pulling over to stop or park. Open doors and get in/out only when safe for you and other road users. • Securing the Vehicle: If leaving the car, take steps to make sure it cannot move or be used by someone else. If required, use wheel chocks (klíny) or other means to secure it. WHERE STOPPING AND PARKING ARE NOT ALLOWED • tram tracks or tram lanes and between 5:00 and 19:00, parking is forbidden if less than 3.5 m of space remains beside the nearest tram rail. • grass or other vegetation, unless traffic sign allows it. • Where it would endanger traffic or block the movement of other vehicles. • roundabouts – parking (standing) is not allowed. • highways or motor roads – only in marked parking areas. In case of emergency, stop on the shoulder (krajnice). • Too close to tram rails – between 5:00 and 19:00, parking is forbidden if less than 3.5 m of space remains beside the nearest tram rail. • Outside towns – on Class I roads (and on Class II or III roads in poor visibility), stopping or parking is allowed only in marked places. • On sidewalks – even if allowed by sign (IP 11d–11g), heavy vehicles over 3.

How to remember it

Practical summary:

Where you must not park – quick overview:

Key distances:

Other prohibited places:

Parking on the sidewalk: Allowed only if there is a traffic sign IP 11 (car on the sidewalk).

Fine for improper parking: 500–2,500 CZK, upon repetition up to 5,000 CZK. A wheel clamp or towing are other options.

What the law says

(1) Řidič nesmí zastavit a stát a) v nepřehledné zatáčce a v její těsné blízkosti, b) před nepřehledným vrcholem stoupání pozemní komunikace, na něm a za ním, c) na přechodu pro chodce nebo na přejezdu pro cyklisty a ve vzdálenosti kratší než 5 m před nimi, d) na křižovatce a ve vzdálenosti kratší než 5 m před hranicí křižovatky a 5 m za ní; tento zákaz neplatí v obci na křižovatce tvaru "T" na protější straně vyúsťující pozemní komunikace, e) v připojovacím nebo odbočovacím pruhu, f) u zastávky tramvaje, autobusu nebo trolejbusu bez nástupního ostrůvku v úseku, který začíná dopravní značkou "Zastávka autobusu", "Zastávka tramvaje" nebo "Zastávka trolejbusu" a končí ve vzdálenosti 5 m za označníkem zastávky, a tam, kde taková dopravní značka není, ve vzdálenosti kratší než 30 m před a 5 m za označníkem zastávky, přičemž je-li prostor zastávky vyznačen vodorovnou dopravní značkou "Zastávka autobusu nebo trolejbusu" nebo "Zastávka tramvaje", platí tento zákaz jen pro vyznačený prostor; to neplatí pro řidiče vozidel, k jejichž zastavení nebo stání je zastávka určena, g) na železničním přejezdu, v podjezdu a v tunelu a ve vzdálenosti kratší než 15 m před nimi a za nimi, h) v místě, kde by vozidlo zakrývalo svislou dopravní značku nebo vodorovnou dopravní značku "Směrové šipky" nebo "Nápis na vozovce", i) ve vyhrazeném jízdním pruhu a jízdním pruhu pro cyklisty, j) v jízdních pruzích vyznačených na vozovce mimo pravého jízdního pruhu, k) ve vzdálenosti kratší než 5 m od začátku a
Section 27 odst. 1 of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.

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.

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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

    Before a level crossing where the traffic sign "Stop, give way!" is placed, the driver must stop the vehicle:

  2. Question 2 of 5

    Brake lag:

  3. Question 3 of 5

    If a vehicle breaks down in a tunnel and becomes immobile:

  4. Question 4 of 5

    In a special motor vehicle, the following persons may not be transported:

  5. Question 5 of 5

    A municipal police officer: