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Parking symbol
When you see the sign
The parking symbol is a road marking indicating that the area is intended for parking. Park the vehicle within the marked space, and check the signs and supplementary plates for time limits, payment requirements or other conditions.
Rules
- The symbol indicates a parking space or an area intended for parking.
- When parking spaces are defined by lines, the vehicle must be parked within the marked space.
- Signs, supplementary plates and other road markings may restrict parking based on factors such as time, vehicle type or payment requirements.
- The parking symbol does not override parking prohibitions resulting from other signs or the traffic rules.
Tips
- Look for signs at the entrance or along the parking area before leaving your vehicle.
- Check that the entire vehicle is within the markings and does not obstruct neighbouring spaces or traffic.
- Look for additional symbols, such as a wheelchair symbol or a charging symbol, as the space may then be reserved.
- Do not confuse the painted P with lines that regulate positioning within the traffic lane.
Common misconceptions
- Assuming that a painted P always means free and unlimited parking.
- Parking partly outside the space because part of the vehicle is still over the parking symbol.
- Assuming that all spaces with a parking symbol can be used by all vehicles, even when signs or other symbols indicate that a space is reserved.
Test yourself
Easy
What does this road marking mean?
- AIt indicates a parking space or an area intended for parking.
- BIt indicates a line that you are prohibited from driving across.
- CIt warns that visibility is too short for ordinary overtaking.
- DIt indicates a separation between lanes with the same direction of travel.
Medium
You are going to park here, and the parking space is bounded by white lines. How should you position the car?
- APosition the vehicle over the side line if the adjacent space is free.
- BPosition the front wheels inside the space and leave the rear wheels outside.
- CPosition the vehicle partly outside if the marking is still visible.
- DPosition the entire vehicle inside the marked space.
Hard
You arrive at an area with this road marking. At the entrance there is a valid sign prohibiting parking throughout the day. What should you do?
- ADo not park because the parking prohibition still applies.
- BPark briefly because the marking permits temporary parking.
- CPark freely because the marking cancels the parking prohibition.
- DPark within the lines because the prohibition only applies outside the spaces.
Theory test tip
A common trap on the theory test is interpreting the parking symbol as permission to park without restrictions; you must always check whether signs, supplementary plates or other symbols set conditions.
Did you know
The parking symbol is a road marking, but it uses the same easily recognisable letter P as the parking sign and is often placed inside or at the start of a parking space.
Frequently asked questions
Does the parking symbol mean that parking is free?
No. The symbol indicates that the area is intended for parking, but a payment requirement may be indicated by signs, supplementary plates or information at a payment machine.
Must the entire vehicle be within the parking space?
Yes. When the space is defined by markings, the vehicle must be parked within them. It must not protrude into the carriageway, pedestrian area or neighbouring space.
Is a space with a wheelchair symbol an ordinary parking space?
No. The wheelchair symbol indicates that the space is reserved for people with reduced mobility who have a valid parking permit.
Does the parking symbol take precedence over other signs?
No. You must interpret the parking symbol together with the signs, supplementary plates and other road markings that apply at the location.
Practise for the theory test
Teorio has the complete theory syllabus in your own language. Download the app and practise whenever it suits you.
