Everyone does it, but is it really allowed to double-park? Auto-Moto disentangles the true from the false around this practice.
This has happened to all of us at least once in our driving life. We are in a hurry and unfortunately, it is totally impossible to find a real parking space near the place where we have to go. After having made a few tours of the neighborhood, we then face the facts and opt for the method of double-lane parking. If it is sometimes for a few seconds, when we even stay behind the wheel long enough to wait for someone, it also happens that we have to be absent, leaving our car alone. And there, we usually have a question: is it really allowed? Can we in fact leave our vehicle in double-queue without the risk of seeing it impound? Don’t panic, Auto-Moto explains everything you need to know about this common practice.
Double-queue parking: what are the rules?
First of all, be aware that we are talking about double-lane parking when a vehicle is parked outside a marked location, because it is already occupied. The car is then parked on the road or on the sidewalk. You should already know that even if this is tempting, the use of hazard lights will not change the situation, these having no legal effect to avoid the sanction. But now let’s get to the heart of the matter. It should be noted that article 417-10 of the Highway Code regulates parking very precisely, and defines what is an inconvenient, dangerous or abusive parking. And no luck, the double-queue is one of the prohibited practices. It is indeed considered annoying, as stated in the law ” the parking of a vehicle in double line is also considered as hindering public traffic, except for personal transport vehicles, two-wheeled cycles, two-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles without sidecar ”. Double-queue parking is therefore just as illegal as parking on the emergency lane, on a bridge or in front of vehicle entrances to buildings.
Double-queue parking: what penalties?
If you decide to double-queue anyway, even for just a few minutes, you may be liable to penalties. Nothing too bad though, because offenders risk a 2nd class fine, equivalent to € 22 increased to € 75 in the event of non-payment within the time limit. However, if the driver is absent or refuses to move his vehicle, immobilization and impoundment can also be decided by the police.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Paris: paid parking for two-wheelers becomes clearer
Paris: Anne Hidalgo’s plan for parking lots (and removing spaces)
In which region do you pay the most for your parking space? [Diaporama]
