Parking in double file, is there a fine?

You’re probably used to seeing cars parked in double file, and it’s possible you’ve done it yourself at some point. Stopping in double file has become a very common practice, but is there a fine? Is there an established time limit? First of all, you should know that stopping and parking are not the same thing. The regulations consider a stop to be when “the vehicle is halted for less than two minutes with the driver inside the vehicle”.

By contrast, parking is understood to be when the vehicle is stationary for more than two minutes and the driver is not inside. In addition, Article 91.1 of the General Traffic Regulation states that stopping or parking must be carried out in such a way that it “does not obstruct traffic or pose a risk to other road users”. The regulation also prohibits stopping in double file. However, there is one exception.

Parking in double file, is there a fine?

Although a stop must last less than two minutes and the driver must remain inside, there is one case in which stopping in double file is permitted. However, two requirements must be met: not exceeding the aforementioned two minutes, and the driver must remain in the vehicle and not obstruct the movement of other vehicles or endanger road safety.

It should be noted that the stop must be signalled using the indicators on the side of the road where the vehicle has stopped, rather than the hazard lights. In addition, according to the regulation, all four indicators only serve to signal a danger to other road users.

On urban roads, the stop must always be made on the carriageway or the hard shoulder, leaving the vehicle as close as possible to its right-hand side, whereas on one-way streets it may also be positioned on the left-hand side. Likewise, it is recommended to switch on the parking lights, especially at night or in poorly lit areas, to better warn other drivers of the presence of the car stopped in double file. On interurban roads, stops in double file must be made on the right-hand side of the carriageway, without obstructing the movement of other users.

It is important to stress that stopping in double file for more than two minutes carries a financial fine of 200 euros. If you stop for a shorter time but obstruct traffic, you may also be fined. You should also bear in mind that if you stop in double file without signalling correctly, you may be fined 80 euros.