No Red Line Doesn't Mean You Can Park! 10 Most Common Illegal Parking Traps – Even Buying a Drink Could Get You Fined or Towed

Many drivers, when searching for parking, first check if there's a red line on the roadside: 'Since there's no red line here, I should be able to park, right?' However, the presence or absence of a red line is not the sole criterion for determining whether parking is allowed.

According to current traffic regulations, parking or temporary stopping is prohibited at locations such as intersections, bus stops, fire engine exits, sidewalks, and entrances to public facilities—even if there are no red or yellow lines painted on the road. In other words, red lines primarily serve as a warning that temporary stopping is prohibited; the absence of lines does not automatically grant parking permission.

Below are 10 common situations where drivers often misjudge the rules. Be cautious—even stepping out to buy a drink could result in a fine or having your vehicle towed.

### Can You Park Where There’s No Red Line?

The answer is: not necessarily.

According to the 'Regulations on the Installation of Road Traffic Signs, Markings, and Signals,' a solid red line indicates 'No Temporary Stopping' and generally applies 24 hours a day. A solid yellow line indicates 'No Parking,' typically enforced from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. However, if additional signs or supplementary plates are present, the specified times on those signs take precedence.

Besides red and yellow lines, regulations explicitly prohibit temporary stopping or parking in various locations. Therefore, to determine whether parking is allowed at a given spot, don’t just look at the color of the road surface—also check for nearby intersections, bus stops, fire facilities, sidewalks, traffic signs, or public facility entrances.

### What’s the Difference Between Temporary Stopping and Parking?

Under traffic laws, 'temporary stopping' refers to a vehicle stopping for less than three minutes to pick up or drop off passengers or load/unload goods, with the driver remaining ready to immediately drive away.

If the driver leaves the vehicle, turns off the engine to run errands, or the vehicle is no longer immediately movable—even for less than three minutes—it may not qualify as temporary stopping. 'Parking,' on the other hand, refers to a vehicle that has stopped and is not in a state of immediate departure.

The following 10 situations may still result in a ticket—even without a red line.

### 1. Within 10 Meters of an Intersection

Many corner areas in residential alleys lack red lines, leading drivers to park at alley entrances, assuming it's fine as long as they don’t block traffic. In reality, temporary stopping is legally prohibited within 10 meters of an intersection, regardless of whether red or yellow lines are painted.

Parking near corners can obstruct drivers’ and pedestrians’ visibility and may hinder garbage trucks, ambulances, or fire engines from entering or exiting. The Highway Bureau clearly states that even without red or yellow lines at intersections, parking is not permitted, and law enforcement may issue citations accordingly.

Drivers should also note that the junction between an alley and a main road typically qualifies as an intersection. Don’t assume the 10-meter rule doesn’t apply just because it’s a small alley or lacks traffic lights.

### 2. Within 10 Meters of a Bus Stop

The absence of a red line beside a bus stop—or faded red lines—does not mean you can temporarily stop to pick someone up, wait, or buy something.

Regulations prohibit temporary stopping within 10 meters of a public bus stop to prevent private vehicles from occupying bus bays, forcing buses to stop in traffic lanes to pick up or drop off passengers.

A common misconception is that 'it’s fine as long as I’m not directly in front of the bus stop.' However, the regulation covers a 10-meter radius around the stop—not just the small area directly beneath the sign.

### 3. Near Fire Hydrants or Fire Engine Exits

Areas around fire hydrants and fire engine exits are among the most commonly overlooked no-parking zones—even without red lines.

According to the 'Road Traffic Safety Rules,' temporary stopping is prohibited within 5 meters of a fire hydrant or fire engine exit. Vehicles must not park in front of fire hydrants or near fire engine exits.

Some fire hydrants are located along walls, near bushes, or beside sidewalk pillars and may not be highly visible. Failing to check carefully before parking could unintentionally block emergency equipment.

Even brief stops can delay firefighters from accessing water or deploying vehicles during emergencies, so such violations are often prioritized for enforcement.

### 4. Sidewalks, Crosswalks, or Unauthorized Covered Walkways (Qi Lou)

The belief that 'motorcycles often park on covered walkways, so it shouldn’t be penalized' is a common myth.

According to the 'Road Traffic Management Penalty Act,' roads include streets, alleys, plazas, covered walkways (qi lou), corridors, and any area open to public passage. Sidewalks and crosswalks are generally prohibited for temporary stopping.

Sidewalks or covered walkways may only be used for parking if the competent authority has legally designated parking spaces, signs, or authorized parking. Different cities may have varying rules for motorcycle parking and enforcement—don’t assume a location is legal just because others are parked there.

Especially problematic are cars driving onto sidewalks, blocking crosswalks, or motorcycles parked in a way that obstructs wheelchairs, strollers, or pedestrians—these are all subject to penalties.

### 5. Bridges, Tunnels, Roundabouts, Rail Crossings, or Express Lanes

Some areas near bridges, tunnel entrances, or rail crossings may lack complete red lines, but these locations inherently carry higher traffic risks.

Regulations prohibit temporary stopping on bridges, in tunnels, at roundabouts, opposite obstacles, at railway crossings, or on express lanes.

Even if you turn on hazard lights, stop to check navigation, or let passengers out, it does not make the stop legal. Hazard lights only alert other drivers—they do not override no-parking regulations.

### 6. Curves, Steep Slopes, Narrow Roads, Channelizing Lines, or Traffic Islands

Mountain curves, narrow alleys, or areas beside channelizing lines (diagonal pavement markings) without red lines may still be no-parking zones.

The 'Road Traffic Safety Rules' prohibit parking on roads with 'curve,' 'steep slope,' or 'narrow road' signs, as well as on channelizing lines, traffic islands, or areas under road construction or repair.

Channelizing lines—diagonal pavement markings—are designed to guide traffic flow and separate lanes, not to serve as waiting or parking spaces. Parking on a channelizing line, even without crossing a red line, may still result in a citation.

### 7. Entrances to Public Facilities Like Schools, Markets, or Stations

Many people habitually park in front of school gates, market entrances, stations, or hospitals when picking up family, assuming it’s acceptable if there’s no red line and the wait is brief.

However, regulations prohibit parking at the entrances of airports, stations, docks, schools, entertainment venues, exhibition halls, sports arenas, markets, and other public facilities.

These areas typically have high pedestrian traffic, frequent pick-up/drop-off vehicles, and emergency access needs. Even partial obstruction of an entrance may force pedestrians into traffic lanes or prevent other vehicles from entering or exiting smoothly.

### 8. In Front of Traffic Signs

Even without a red line, parking in a position that blocks speed limits, stop signs, no-entry signs, one-way signs, or other traffic signs may still result in penalties.

Regulations explicitly prohibit temporary stopping in front of traffic signs to prevent vehicles from obscuring them and causing following drivers to miss critical instructions.

Additionally, some road sections may lack red or yellow lines but have 'No Parking' or 'No Temporary Stopping' signs with supplementary plates. In such cases, the designated路段, direction, and time restrictions on the signs take precedence—don’t rely solely on ground markings.

### 9. Not Curb-Aligned, Reverse Parking, or Obstructing Traffic

Even if a section allows parking, improper direction or method may still result in a ticket.

When parking, vehicles must align with the direction of traffic and stay close to the road edge. The outer edge of the front and rear tires must not exceed 40 cm from the curb or road edge; for temporary stopping, the limit is generally 60 cm. Motorcycles have corresponding curb-distance rules.

Common violations include reverse parking, diagonal parking that protrudes into lanes, parking too far from the curb, or blocking narrow alleys, preventing other vehicles, pedestrians, or emergency vehicles from passing.

Laws also prohibit parking in locations that clearly obstruct others. Thus, even without red lines or signs, if your vehicle impedes passage, you may be cited.

### 10. Double Parking – Hazard Lights Won’t Help

When roadside parking is full, some drivers park in the outer lane, turn on hazard lights, and wait—believing that as long as someone is in the car and ready to move, it’s not a violation.

However, regulations explicitly prohibit double temporary stopping and double parking. Whether hazard lights are on or someone is inside the vehicle does not make double parking legal.

Fines for double parking are higher than for regular violations. Under current rules, double parking can result in a fine of NT$1,800 to NT$3,000.

### How Much Is the Fine for Illegal Parking?

According to the current 'Road Traffic Management Penalty Act,' illegal temporary stopping generally incurs a fine of NT$300 to NT$600; general illegal parking ranges from NT$600 to NT$1,200. Double parking fines range from NT$1,800 to NT$3,000.

If the driver is not in the vehicle or refuses to move it when requested, authorities may tow the vehicle to a designated location. The owner may also be responsible for towing and storage fees.

Actual fines depend on vehicle type, location, violation type, and enforcement guidelines.

### How Long Can You Park on a Yellow Line?

A yellow line indicates 'No Parking,' not that no temporary stopping is allowed under any circumstances.

Generally, yellow lines are enforced from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. During this period, brief stops for passenger pick-up/drop-off or loading/unloading (under 3 minutes) with the driver ready to move immediately are typically considered temporary stopping. However, if there are additional 'No Parking' signs, supplementary plates, or the location is a legally prohibited zone (e.g., intersection, bus stop, fire facility, sidewalk), temporary stopping is also prohibited.

Therefore, don’t assume 'I can stop for 3 minutes' just because you see a yellow line—always check the surrounding environment and signs.

### Does Keeping the Engine Running and Driver Inside Mean It’s Not Parking?