Theory topic 10 · Düsseldorf
Topic 10: Stopping & parking
The moment your car stands still, a different set of rules applies. Topic 10 explains the difference between stopping and parking, where you may not stop at all and how to set the parking disc. Above all, you learn what you have to do if you damage another car while parking.
- In class
- 90 minutes, as often as you like
- This is topic 10 of 14. You can come to this double lesson as many times as you like.
- Flexible times
- 8 theory classes a week
- Lessons run on six days a week. The 14 topics follow on from each other in a loop, so you simply join at the next lesson.
- Four languages
- German, English, Arabic, Berber
- Lessons are taught in German. If something isn't clear, you can ask in English, Arabic or Berber.
What you learn
What topic 10 covers
This is what's on the plan in the lesson, and it's what the theory test (Theorieprüfung) will ask you about.
- The difference between stopping and parking (up to 3 minutes, or for loading and unloading)
- Where you may never stop or park, including the 10 m and 5 m rules and the no-stopping signs
- How to set the parking disc correctly, to the next half or full hour
- How to get in and out of a parking space safely, whether parallel, straight in or at an angle
- What you have to do after a parking scrape (waiting, telling the police)
- Which special rules apply in residential areas and resident parking zones
- What you must do when you leave the car: secure it, lock it and protect it against theft
The key rules
What you need to know for sure
A lot of the test questions on this topic come back to these points.
Stopping means up to 3 minutes, or loading and unloading
You are stopping if you stand still for up to 3 minutes, or to load and unload, or to let people get in and out. Anything longer counts as parking. Under the limited no-stopping sign (sign 286) you may stop, but you may not park.
In front of lights, give-way signs and level crossings
Within 10 metres of a set of traffic lights, or of sign 205 (give way) or sign 206 (stop), you may not stop if your car would hide them from other drivers. In front of a St Andrew's cross at a level crossing there's a separate parking ban as well: 5 metres in town and 50 metres outside town.
The 5 m rule at junctions
You may not park within 5 metres before or after a junction or a side road. If there's a cycle path built next to the road on the right, the distance before the junction is 8 metres. You measure from the point where the edges of the two roads meet.
After a parking scrape you have to wait
Even a small scratch on the car next to you means you have to wait. The law doesn't give a fixed time, only a waiting time that's reasonable in the circumstances. If nobody turns up, you must tell the police or the owner straight away. A note under the windscreen wiper isn't enough, because that counts as leaving the scene of an accident (§ 142 StGB).
Setting the parking disc
Set the Parkscheibe (the blue parking disc) to the next half or full hour after you arrive. So if you arrive at 14:17, you set it to 14:30. It must be easy to read from outside the car, and if you fiddle with it, you'll be fined.
Common mistakes
Where the test often trips people up
In these places a question often means something different from what it seems to say when you read it quickly.
- Parking on the pavement because it looks fine
- You may only park on the pavement if a sign or a road marking clearly allows it. Otherwise it costs €55. If you get in other people's way or stay there for more than an hour, it's €70 and one point, and more if you put someone in danger or cause damage.
- Dealing with a parking scrape by leaving a note
- However polite your note is, if you don't wait long enough or tell the police, it counts as leaving the scene of an accident, and you can face criminal proceedings. Your car insurance will pay for the other person's damage, but it can then claim the money back from you, usually up to €2,500.
- Parking in front of a driveway
- You may not park in front of a driveway, and it costs from €10. Stopping there briefly, for example to let someone get in or out, is allowed.
- Mixing up limited and absolute no-stopping
- Under the limited no-stopping sign (286, one diagonal line) you may stop briefly to load or unload. Under the absolute no-stopping sign (283, a full cross) you may not stop at all. This is a standard question in the test.
Sample questions
What the questions in the theory test look like
Click on a question to see the answer. You can practise the full set of official questions with our learning app.
You scratch the car next to you while parking. What do you do?
You see the 'limited no-stopping' sign. What are you allowed to do?
You are parking your car. How far from the next junction do you have to be?
In the driving lesson
Where you'll meet topic 10 again in the car
Parking spaces are often tight, so it pays to be confident at parking parallel, straight in and at an angle. Parallel parking or bay parking can come up in the practical test as one of the basic manoeuvres.
Questions and answers
Common questions about topic 10
Short answers to questions around this topic.
How far from the kerb can I park?
Can I ignore the parking disc on a private car park?
What's the fine for parking where stopping is completely banned?
How do I park in a resident parking zone?
Is there anything I need to watch out for when I get out?
Registration
Come along to the theory lessons
Pre-register online, with no obligation. Once your registration has gone through, you join at the next lesson, whichever topic is on that day.
Or just drop by
- Phone
- 0211 21098911
- Mon–Fri
- 10:30–19:00
- Sat
- 10:00–15:00
- Sun
- Closed
Read on
Related topics and pages
- Topic 3: The legal frameworkThe rules, the probationary period, points in Flensburg and who is liable for what.
- Topic 9: Observation & manoeuvresMirrors and shoulder checks, overtaking, changing lanes, turning round and reversing.
- Topic 11: Dealing with special situationsAccidents, breakdowns, emergency vehicles, fog, ice and what to do in a tunnel.
- Class BThe car licence.
- Class B197Learn in an automatic, drive a manual too.
- LocationWhere to find us in Oberbilk.
