No-Stopping Signs: How to Read the Arrows

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You're standing in front of a no-stopping sign with an arrow and wondering: can I park here or not? The white arrows on traffic signs 283 and 286 indicate where a no-stopping zone begins, ends, or continues. In this article, we explain how to read the arrows correctly.

The Two Types of No-Stopping Signs

Before we get to the arrows, here are the basics:

Sign 283 (two crossed red bars) means absolute no stopping (absolutes Halteverbot). Stopping is completely forbidden — you may not even pull over briefly. Sign 286 (one diagonal red bar) means restricted no stopping (eingeschränktes Halteverbot). Parking is forbidden, but stopping for up to 3 minutes is allowed.

Both signs can include arrows to mark the extent of the zone.

What Do the Arrows Mean?

The German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO, Anlage 2) define three arrow variants:

Arrow Toward the Carriageway = Start

Sign 283-10 / 286-10

Sign 283-10 – Absolute no stopping (start)

Sign 286-10 – Restricted no stopping (start)

The arrow points toward the street (for right-side parking: arrow points left). This means: The no-stopping zone begins here. From this sign onward, you may not stop or park.

Arrow Away from the Carriageway = End

Sign 283-20 / 286-20

Sign 283-20 – Absolute no stopping (end)

Sign 286-20 – Restricted no stopping (end)

The arrow points away from the street (for right-side parking: arrow points right). This means: The no-stopping zone ends here. From this sign onward, you may stop and park again.

Two Arrows in Both Directions = Middle

Sign 283-30 / 286-30

Sign 283-30 – Absolute no stopping (middle)

Sign 286-30 – Restricted no stopping (middle)

The sign shows two arrows — one toward the carriageway, one away. This means: The no-stopping zone continues — both before and after this sign. You are in the middle of the restricted zone.

Overview: Arrow Directions at a Glance

Arrow	Sign	Meaning
← (toward carriageway)	283-10 / 286-10	Start – forbidden from here
→ (away from carriageway)	283-20 / 286-20	End – allowed from here
↔ (both directions)	283-30 / 286-30	Middle – still forbidden

## Special Case: One-Way Streets

On one-way streets where parking on the left side is permitted, the variants 283-11, 283-21, and 283-31 (or 286-11, 286-21, 286-31) apply. The logic remains the same:

Arrow toward carriageway = Start
Arrow away = End
Two arrows = Middle

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Only seeing the end sign

If you see a sign with the arrow pointing right (end), that does not mean you can park before it. The restriction was already in effect — you are only seeing where it ends.

Mistake 2: Misreading the double arrow as "start and end"

A sign with two arrows does not mean "this is where it starts and ends." It means: the restriction continues through this point. You are right in the middle of the zone.

Mistake 3: Misinterpreting the arrow direction

Remember: the arrow always points relative to the carriageway. "Toward the carriageway" = start. "Away from the carriageway" = end.

What Does a Violation Cost?

If you park despite a no-stopping sign, the following fines apply:

Violation	Fine
Stopping despite sign 283	20 €
Stopping with obstruction	35 €
Parking despite sign 283 or 286	25 €
Parking with obstruction	40 €
Parking for more than 1 hour	40 €
Parking for more than 1 hour with obstruction	50 €

In addition, towing costs (120–250 €) and impound fees may apply.

Summary

Arrow toward carriageway (left for right-side parking): no-stopping zone begins
Arrow away from carriageway (right): no-stopping zone ends
Two arrows: no-stopping zone continues (middle of the zone)
Applies to both sign types: sign 283 (absolute) and 286 (restricted)