Are you Allowed to Park your Car Anywhere on the Pavement? What the Law Says
Parking on a pavement may seem practical, but the law strictly regulates parking: we take stock of what is authorized and what is prohibited.
Park on the pavement while you go get something or see a friend. Sometimes it doesn’t seem forbidden, so when in doubt, we do it.
However, “stopping or parking on the roadway is a strictly supervised process”, explains road safety. Any vehicle in this scenario must be placed in such a way as to obstruct traffic as little as possible or other road users.
And parking on the pavement then, is it prohibited or not? Under what conditions can we still do it? The legislation is clear.
Can we park on the pavement?
A (long) list is established by articles of the Highway Code dedicated to stopping and parking. In summary, the Ministry of the Interior enumerates four categories of prohibited parking : embarrassing, very embarrassing, abusive and dangerous.
Parking must neither hinder the movement of people (on a pavement) nor that of cars, nor represent a dangerous obstacle.
To put it simply: stopping or parking your vehicle on a sidewalk is prohibited. This even constitutes an offense, punishable according to the type of vehicle and the circumstances, as responded by Road Safety.
Annoying parking, even very inconvenient
On the one hand, in application of article R. 417-10 of the Highway Code, “ is considered annoying public traffic, stopping or parking a vehicle: […] on pavements when it concerns a motorcycle, a motor tricycle or a moped with the exception of a light moped.
In other words: no leaving or parking your scooter or motorcycle on the pavement. “This offense is punishable by the fine provided for second class infractions, i.e. a fixed fine from 35 euros ”, stipulates the Ministry of the Interior.
Furthermore, under the terms of article R. 417-11 of the Highway Code, “ is considered very annoying for public traffic the stopping or parking: […] of a motorized vehicle with the exception of motorized personal transport vehicles, light mopeds and pedal-assisted cycles: […] on pavementss, with the exception of motorcycles, motor tricycles and mopeds.
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Understand: it is even more reprehensible to leave or park it car, his van or truck on a pavement. Due to this same article, any stop or parking that is very inconvenient for traffic is punishable by the fine provided for fourth class contraventions, i.e. a fixed fine of 135 euros ”, adds the ministry.
And that’s not all. Beyond the financial sanctions, in both cases, the vehicle can be seized, specifies Road Safety
When the driver or the holder of the registration certificate is absent or refuses, despite the injunction of the agents, to stop parking [annoying or very inconvenient] for public traffic, immobilization and impoundment may be prescribed under the conditions provided for in articles L. 325-1 to L. 325-3 of the Highway Code.
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Exceptions in certain municipalities?
There are obviously exceptions. In accordance with article L. 2213-2 of the General Code of Local Authorities, the mayor may, by reasoned order, having regard to the needs of traffic and environmental protection: […] regulate the stopping and parking of vehicles or certain categories of them, as well as as the service to neighboring buildings.
Thus, concretely, when parking needs and the configuration of the public road make it necessary, the councilor can authorize the parking of vehicles on part of the pavements, underlines Road Safety.
“Provided that sufficient passage is reserved for path of pedestrians, particularly those with reduced mobility, as well as their access to homes and local businesses and that adequate signage specifies the authorized locations”, she adds, citing the case law of the Council of State (5e and 6e combined rooms, July 8, 2020, n° 425556).