Stopping ends after three minutes or when you leave

Anyone who leaves the vehicle or stops longer than three minutes is parking. That rule is in section 12(2) of the StVO. The three minutes apply to parking, not as free stopping time everywhere.

Stopping is a deliberate break in the journey that traffic or an order does not cause. This definition is in the Verwaltungsvorschrift on the StVO, on section 12(1). At a traffic light or in a jam you do not stop under this rule.

Sign 286 is the restricted no-stopping sign on the carriageway. Anyone who drives a vehicle must not stop on the carriageway longer than three minutes, except to get in or out or to load or unload. Sign 283 is the absolute no-stopping sign: stopping on the carriageway is prohibited.

Three minutes or leaving the vehicle

Section 12(2) names two ways from stopping to parking. You are parking as soon as you leave the vehicle. You are also parking when you stop longer than three minutes.

Loading or unloading does not change this parking definition in section 12(2). If the stop lasts longer than three minutes, you are parking under that rule. The exception for getting in or out and for loading or unloading stands only at sign 286.

RECOMMENDED PROVIDERS

Sign 286 and sign 283

At sign 286 you may stop briefly on the carriageway. Stopping longer than three minutes is not allowed, except to get in or out or to load or unload. Loading must be carried out without delay, says Annex 2 on sign 286.

Sign 283 allows no stopping on the carriageway, not even under three minutes. The wording is: stopping on the carriageway is prohibited. Getting in or out and loading or unloading have no exception here.

Where stopping is already not allowed without a sign

Section 12(1) names places where stopping is not allowed. These include narrow and unclear parts of the road and the area of sharp bends. Stopping is also not allowed on acceleration and deceleration lanes, on level crossings, and in front of and in officially marked fire-service access roads.