Parking on the sidewalk - what fine will there be in 2023?

Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

Parking lots, especially in large cities, are becoming more and more crowded due to the growing number of cars. Very often, one driver owns two or more vehicles. This means that there is a shortage of parking spaces, while we look for a place to leave our car when we want to go for lunch or meet friends. The best option in such a situation, according to many drivers, is to park on the sidewalk. However, can we park on the sidewalk? There are many restrictions and prohibitions that, unfortunately, some drivers do not follow.

From the article you will learn:

What rules regarding parking on the sidewalk are included in the Highway Code
Where should you be especially careful when parking?
When is parking allowed in front of a pedestrian crossing?
What do no parking and stopping signs mean?

Parking on the sidewalk – what do the regulations say?

Every driver should become thoroughly familiar with the regulations contained in the Highway Code. Chapter 2 Stopping and parking and Chapter 5 Order and road safety are devoted to this topic. What should you pay attention to first of all?

Parking and stopping the car is allowed only where it will be visible to other road users and will not pose a danger on the road. At the same time, you must comply with the orders and prohibitions provided by road signs. You can stop on the sidewalk with the wheels of one side or the front axle of a vehicle whose mass does not exceed 2,5 tons, provided that there is no prohibition on stopping and parking in this place and the vehicle can be positioned in such a way as to leave at least 1,5 tons for pedestrians. meters wide sidewalk. However, stopping on the traffic lane and bicycle path is prohibited.

Incorrect parking poses a threat to road traffic

Even for parking in permitted spaces, you can receive a fine as a result of parking your vehicle incorrectly. You should always follow not only the regulations and signs on the road, but also a sober mind. This especially applies to places such as pedestrian crossings, turns, sharp bends and traffic lights. When parking, we must take into account the safety of pedestrians and other drivers driving vehicles, including bicycles. The law commands, prohibits, but also warns. However, we have some freedom of action. An example would be parking on lawns. It is not forbidden, but destroying greenery is.

What about parking in front of a pedestrian crossing?

This is a sensitive place on the road that requires the driver to be particularly careful both when driving and parking. You cannot park 10 meters in front of a pedestrian crossing. In this case, it will be useful to know what belongs to the sidewalk and what belongs to the road. A pedestrian crossing is part of the road. We can park in front of a pedestrian crossing on the sidewalk, but not at the entrance to the crossing. However, this is only possible if there are no signs in front of the pedestrian crossing informing us about designated parking spaces. Additionally, this activity will be prohibited in the case of a designated bicycle or pedestrian/bicycle route on the sidewalk. We must remember that we always leave 1,5 meters of space on the sidewalk. Importantly, we can park on the sidewalk in front of a pedestrian crossing only in such a way as not to pose a threat to other road users. Pedestrians must enter the lanes safely and have unobstructed visibility.

A ban on parking and stopping, but also a ban on parking on the sidewalk?

Navigating the road requires the driver to have very good knowledge of road signs. They inform us about what is prohibited and allowed in a given place, what maneuvers we can perform, and what will result in a fine and a danger to other road users. Part of the road is the roadside, and part of the roadside is the sidewalk. The key road signs for us in this case marked from B-35 to B-38 concern the road and the shoulder. Sometimes we encounter a situation where there are additional characters underneath them. This may be, for example, information that a given sign applies only to the sidewalk and not to the road. This means that we will not park on the sidewalk, but parking on the road is allowed. This sign can be canceled with another sign, e.g. informing us about the beginning of the parking zone. Below it there is often a way to park the vehicle.

Fine for parking on the sidewalk 2023

In 2023, a fine for incorrect parking may range from PLN 100 to PLN 1200, depending on the type of offense. For standard parking in an unauthorized place, the driver may be fined from PLN 100 to PLN 300. However, if the driver parks in a parking space designated for disabled people, the fine may increase to PLN 1200. Additionally, penalty points may be awarded for such an offense.

How many penalty points for parking on the sidewalk in 2023?

For incorrect parking, in addition to being fined, the driver may receive penalty points. You may receive 1 penalty point for failing to comply with parking and stopping prohibition signs. A driver may receive up to 6 penalty points for parking in a disabled parking space.

Summary

The regulations regarding proper parking on the sidewalk can be found in the Highway Code in Chapter 2 Stopping and parking and Chapter 5 Order and traffic safety on roads.
Be especially careful when parking at pedestrian crossings, turns, sharp bends and traffic lights.
We do not park 10 meters before a pedestrian crossing, partly on the road and on the sidewalk.
If there is no sign marking a parking space in front of a pedestrian crossing, we can park on the sidewalk, leaving a minimum of 1,5 meters of pedestrian crossing.
Signs B-35 to B-38 inform us that parking and stopping are prohibited. However, they may be supplemented with supplementary signs that indicate how you can park in that space.