Germany: Avoid Parking Fines - Use Discs Correctly
Motorists in Germany are reminded of the correct use of parking discs to avoid unnecessary fines. A common error is rounding up the arrival time to the nearest half hour, which can result in a warning fine of €20 to €40.
Parking discs must be set to the exact arrival time, not rounded up. This is crucial as parking enforcement officers can issue fines for incorrect use. Additionally, passengers are not allowed to reserve parking spaces while the vehicle is parked, as this is considered coercion in traffic.
The parking disc must be placed behind the windshield and be clearly visible and easily readable from outside the vehicle. In winter, ensure it's not covered by snow. Local authorities, often municipal or city administrative bodies, enforce these regulations under the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) and related legal provisions. Once the maximum parking time is reached, the vehicle must leave the parking space, and the parking disc cannot be adjusted during parking. Even correctly parked cars can receive parking tickets due to incorrect use of the parking disc.
To avoid fines, motorists should use parking discs correctly by setting the exact arrival time, ensuring the disc is visible and not covered, and leaving the parking space once the maximum time is reached. Incorrect use can lead to fines, even for correctly parked cars.
