Loading and unloading zones
Here are some examples of signs that are used in connection with goods delivery.
Where can you load and unload goods?
In some of the examples, you are only allowed to make the shortest possible stops to load and unload goods of a certain quantity, size or weight. In some cases, this is only allowed for vans, lorries or tractor units.
- "A certain quantity, size or weight" means that the item cannot be easy to handle. It is illegal to pick up or deliver an easy-to-handle package, item, letter or similar. For example, you cannot leave your car in a place where there is no parking, and then pick up or deliver food (takeaway), medicine at the pharmacy, or shopping bags from a shop.
- "Shortest possible" means that you cannot do anything other than the specific loading during the time you are loading. For example, you cannot go to the store, buy a coffee, or use the toilet. Nor can you wrap or unwrap what is to be loaded. Everything must be ready for the actual loading.
What do the signs mean?
No parking
Example: The shortest possible stop to load or unload cargo is permitted, and is not defined as parking.
Restrictions: Shortest possible stop. Items must be of a certain quantity, size or weight.
No stopping, with a lower panel
Example 1: Loading and unloading is allowed for vans, lorries and tractor units between 08:00 and 13:00 Monday to Friday. For other vehicles, stopping is prohibited during this period.
At all other times, stopping is prohibited for all types of vehicles.
Restrictions: Loading and unloading is allowed for vans, lorries and tractor units between 08 and 13 Monday to Friday. Shortest possible stop. Items must be of a certain quantity, size or weight.
Example 2: Loading and unloading is allowed for vans, lorries and tractor units between 08:00 and 13:00 Monday to Friday. For other vehicles, stopping is prohibited during this period.
The lower panel shows that at all other times, between 13:00 and 08:00, parking is prohibited (loading and unloading permitted with certain exceptions)
Restrictions: Shortest possible stop. Items must be of a certain quantity, size or weight. Loading and unloading is allowed for vans, lorries and tractor units during the specified hours.
Pedestrian zone
Example: The lower panel shows that goods transports are permitted to load and unload during specified hours, here from midnight to 11:00 Monday to Friday and from midnight to 09:00 on Saturdays. At all other times, motor vehicles are not permitted here.
Restrictions: Shortest possible stop. Items must be of a certain quantity, size or weight.
Parking
Example: Parking is permitted, also for goods delivery.
Restrictions: You must follow the local parking rules and as a driver you have a duty to ensure that your vehicle is parked legally (duty of care).
Parking sign with lower panel
Example: Parking is reserved for vans, lorries and tractor units for up to 30 minutes as long as the vehicle has a parking disc that shows the time when it was parked.
The parking sign allows the shortest possible stops for loading or unloading or for embarking or disembarking, for all vehicles. Loading or unloading is still allowed after 30 minutes, since this is not considered parking. Only the actual time required for this activity is legal. If you do something else, it will be considered parking.
Even if you are sitting in the car, the vehicle is parked. The same applies if the engine is running.
Restrictions: You must have a valid parking disc/free ticket to park.
When loading or unloading goods, the stop must be as short as possible, and the items must be of a certain size, quantity or weight.
Stopping in the roadway
Stopping in the roadway to deliver goods is permitted if it is in line with the Road Traffic Act and the traffic rules, but must be considered in the context of other options available.
Restrictions: Any person shall travel showing consideration, and being alert and cautious so that no damage or risk is caused, and so that other traffic is not unnecessarily obstructed or inconvenienced (Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act). In addition to this, you must ensure that you do not stop in violation of the rules in Section 17 of the traffic rules.
Where can you not stop to load and unload goods?
Here are some examples of where it is forbidden to stop to load or unload goods:
- In parking spaces reserved for mobility impaired drivers
- On pedestrian crossings or bicycle crossings or less than five metres before such crossings
- In cycle lanes
- In public transport lanes
- On the pavement
- In a junction or less than 5 metres from the junction
Here are some examples of where it is forbidden to stop to load or unload goods, unless otherwise indicated on lower panels:
- In home zones other than in specially marked spaces
- Where you find the sign “No stopping”
- At bus or tram stops. It is forbidden to stop at a bus or tram stop or less than 20 metres from the traffic sign for the stop.
The driver is responsible for parking the vehicle legally (duty of care)
The duty of care means that you must ensure that the vehicle is parked legally. This means that you must look for parking control signs or road markings that have an impact on parking (Section5, first paragraph, of the Road Traffic Act).
Have you received a penalty charge notice that you wish to appeal?
If you have received a penalty charge notice (parking violation fine) that you dispute, or have questions about, you should contact the company that issued it to you. Contact information will appear in the notice you have received, as should the rules regarding the appeals procedure.