No-Stopping Violation: Fines, Penalties, and Towing Costs

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You parked in a no-stopping zone and found a ticket on your windshield? Or worse, your car was towed? Here is a clear breakdown of every fine you might face and what towing actually costs in Germany.

Fines for sign 283 (absolute no-stopping zone)

Sign 283 (Absolutes Halteverbot) is the strictest variant. Even brief stopping is prohibited. The fines depend on how long you stayed and whether you caused an obstruction.

Violation	Fine
Stopping, no obstruction	€20
Stopping with obstruction	€35
Parking up to 15 minutes	€25
Parking up to 15 minutes with obstruction	€40
Parking longer than 15 minutes	€30
Parking longer than 15 minutes with obstruction	€45
Parking longer than 1 hour	€40
Parking longer than 1 hour with obstruction	€50

These amounts come from the current German fine catalogue (Bußgeldkatalog). They apply nationwide.

Fines for sign 286 (restricted no-stopping zone)

Sign 286 (Eingeschränktes Halteverbot) allows stopping for up to 3 minutes or for getting in and out. Fines only apply once you cross into parking territory, meaning you stayed longer than 3 minutes or left the vehicle.

The parking fines are the same as for sign 283:

Violation	Fine
Parking up to 15 minutes	€25
Parking up to 15 minutes with obstruction	€40
Parking longer than 15 minutes	€30
Parking longer than 15 minutes with obstruction	€45
Parking longer than 1 hour	€40
Parking longer than 1 hour with obstruction	€50

The key difference: with sign 286, brief stopping (up to 3 minutes) is not a violation. With sign 283, even a few seconds of voluntary stopping can result in a €20 fine.

What "with obstruction" means

The higher fines apply whenever other road users are impeded. In practice, that includes:

Cars have to swerve around your vehicle
Pedestrians are forced onto the road
Cyclists are blocked
Emergency vehicles could be delayed

Important: even potential obstruction counts. If a fire engine could be blocked, the higher fine applies, even if no fire engine actually came through. Enforcement officers assess the situation at the scene.

When is towing allowed?

Not every no-stopping violation leads to towing. Your car is typically towed when:

Your vehicle obstructs traffic (Behinderung). This is the most common reason.
You are parked in a fire lane (Feuerwehrzufahrt).
A temporary no-stopping zone was set up (e.g. for a move) and you did not move your car in time.
You are in a disabled parking space without a valid disabled parking permit (Schwerbehindertenausweis).
There is a danger to public safety (Gefährdung).

If you are parked in a regular no-stopping zone without causing obstruction, you will usually not be towed immediately. You will get a ticket, but your car stays where it is.

Towing costs breakdown

Towing costs come on top of the parking fine. Here is what to expect:

Item	Cost (approx.)
Towing (Abschleppkosten)	€100–200
Storage per day (Standgebühren)	€10–25
Administrative fee (Verwaltungsgebühr)	€20–50
Total	€120–300

Costs vary significantly by city. Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg tend to be at the higher end. On top of these costs, you still pay the original parking fine (€25–50).

So a single no-stopping violation with towing can easily cost you €150–350 in total.

Points in Flensburg?

Simple no-stopping violations do not result in points on your driving record (Punkte in Flensburg). You pay the fine and that is it.

Points are only added in serious cases:

Parking on a motorway (Autobahn)
Parking that causes a direct danger to others
Blocking emergency vehicles

For the typical city scenario, a ticket in a no-stopping zone, there are no points and no driving ban.

What to do if your car was towed

If you come back and your car is gone, here is what to do:

1. Call the police (110). They can tell you whether your car was towed and where it was taken.

2. Go to the impound lot (Abstellplatz or Verwahrstelle). The police will give you the address.

3. Pay the costs. Most impound lots accept cash and EC card (debit card). Credit cards are often not accepted.

4. Bring your vehicle registration (Fahrzeugschein). Without proof that the car is yours, they will not release it.

The longer you wait, the higher the storage fees. Pick up your car as soon as possible.

Temporary no-stopping zones (mobile signs)

Temporary no-stopping zones are set up for moves, construction, events, or deliveries. These mobile signs (Mobile Halteverbotsschilder) come with special rules:

The sign must be in place at least 72 hours (3 full days) before the restriction begins.
If your car was already parked there before the sign was placed, towing is legally possible, but you have a stronger case to contest the towing costs.
Document everything with photos. If you believe the sign was placed too late, photograph the sign, its placement, and the date/time. This evidence is critical for any appeal.

Frequently asked questions

Can I appeal a no-stopping fine?

Yes. You have 14 days to file an objection (Einspruch). Your chances are realistic if: the sign was faulty or damaged, the sign was not clearly visible (e.g. obstructed by branches), or a temporary sign was placed less than 72 hours in advance.

Can I reclaim towing costs if the mobile sign was placed too late?

Yes. If the temporary no-stopping sign was in place for less than 72 hours before your car was towed, you can reclaim the towing costs. Keep your payment receipt and any photo evidence.

Can I get a fine for briefly stopping at sign 283?

Yes. Sign 283 means absolutely no stopping. Even a voluntary stop of a few seconds is a violation (€20 fine). Sign 286 is different: stopping for up to 3 minutes is allowed there.

Summary

Sign 283	Sign 286
Brief stopping allowed?	No	Yes (up to 3 min)
Parking fine range	€25–50	€25–50
Towing possible?	Yes, if obstructing	Yes, if obstructing
Points in Flensburg?	No (standard cases)	No (standard cases)

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Last updated: 10. Januar 2026