Traffic sign 283 and 286: no-stopping restrictions under the StVO

Introduction

Signs 283 and 286 are among the most important traffic signs in the StVO. They regulate where stopping and parking are prohibited. In this article we explain both traffic signs in detail, with all variants and supplementary signs.

Sign 283: absolute no stopping

Appearance

• Round sign
• Blue background
• Red border
• Two crossed red diagonal bars (X shape)

Meaning under the StVO (Annex 2)

"Requirement or prohibition: Stopping on the carriageway is prohibited."

That means: No stopping, no parking, no exceptions – except waiting due to traffic (traffic lights, tailback).

Sign number

• 283 – basic form (without arrow)
• 283-10 – with arrow (start), right-hand side of the road
• 283-20 – with arrow (end), right-hand side of the road
• 283-30 – with arrow (middle), right-hand side of the road
• 283-11, 283-21, 283-31 – left-hand side of the road (one-way streets)

Sign 286: restricted no stopping

Appearance

• Round sign
• Blue background
• Red border
• A single red diagonal bar (from top left to bottom right)

Meaning under the StVO (Annex 2)

"Requirement or prohibition: Anyone driving a vehicle must not stop for longer than three minutes, except for boarding or alighting or for loading or unloading."

That means:

• Stopping permitted for up to 3 minutes (if you stay with the vehicle)
• Boarding/alighting permitted (even longer than 3 min.)
• Loading/unloading permitted (without delay)
• Parking prohibited

Sign number

• 286 – basic form (without arrow)
• 286-10 – with arrow (start), right-hand side of the road
• 286-20 – with arrow (end), right-hand side of the road
• 286-30 – with arrow (middle), right-hand side of the road
• 286-11, 286-21, 286-31 – left-hand side of the road (one-way streets)

Variants with arrows

Both signs can have white arrows:

Supplementary signs for 283 and 286

Supplementary signs may be displayed below both traffic signs:

Time restriction

• "8 - 18 h" – only applies during the day
• "Mon - Fri" – only applies on working days

Hard shoulder

• "on the hard shoulder" – only applies there
• "also on the hard shoulder" – additionally applies there

Exceptions

• "Residents with parking permit no. ... exempt"
• "Severely disabled persons exempt"
• "Electric vehicles exempt"
• "Carsharing vehicles exempt"

StVO legal basis

Both signs are defined in Anlage 2 zur StVO (Section 8: stopping and parking prohibitions):

Section § 41 A(1) StVO:

"Anyone using the road must comply with the mandatory requirements or prohibitions imposed by regulatory signs under Anlage 2."

Anlage 2, no. 62 (sign 283):
No stopping at any time

Anlage 2, no. 63 (sign 286):
No stopping (restricted)

The difference at a glance

Sources

• StVO Anlage 2 – Vorschriftzeichen (gesetze-im-internet.de)
• StVO § 41 – Vorschriftzeichen (gesetze-im-internet.de)
• Traffic Sign Catalogue (VzKat) (bast.de)