Prohibited places

Article 94. Prohibited places.
1. It is forbidden to stop:
a) On bends and gradients with reduced visibility, on their approaches and in tunnels, underpasses and stretches of roads governed by the signal “Tunnel".
b) On level crossings, cyclist crossings and pedestrian crossings.
c) In lanes or parts of the road reserved exclusively for determined users.
d) At intersections and approaches if the turn becomes difficult for other vehicles, or on interurban roads, if danger from lack of visibility is caused.
e) On street car rails or so near to them that street cars can get stuck.
f) Where it is reduces the visibility of signals to users who need them for maneuvering.
g) On autopistas and autovías, except in areas provided.
h) In lanes reserved for the exclusive use of urban public transport, or in lanes reserved for cyclists.
i) In places reserved for parking and stopping exclusively by urban public transport.
j) In places signed for the exclusive use of the disabled and pedestrian crossings (LST Art 39,1).
2. It is prohibited to park in the following cases:
a) In all situations in the previous section in which stopping is prohibited.
b) In places provided by the municipal authority for parking with time limitation without displaying an authorization or when parking the vehicle in excess of the maximum time allowed by the municipal ordinance.
c) In places signed for load and unloading.
d) In places signed for exclusive use of the disabled.
e) On sidewalks, pedestrian precincts and other places provided for pedestrians.
f) In front of official “keep clear” signs.
g) Double parking (LST Art 39,2).
3. Stopping or parking in the places enumerated in paragraphs a), d), e), f), g) and i) of section 1, on level crossings and in lanes reserved for use by urban public transport are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.d).

Municipal ordinances

Article 93. Municipal ordinances.
1. Stopping and parking on urban roads is regulated by municipal ordinance, the necessary measures may be adopted to avoid obstruction of traffic, including time limitations on parking, as well as the necessary means, including the removal of a vehicle or its immobilization when it is illegally parked until the the driver can be identified (LST Art 38,4).
2. Municipal ordinances cannot contradict, alter, weaken or produce confusion with the rules of this regulation.

Positioning of the vehicle

Article 92. Positioning of the vehicle.
1. Stopping and parking is done by positioning the vehicle in parallel to the side of the road. Exceptionally, other positioning is allowed when the characteristics of the road or other circumstances make it advisable.
2. Drivers who stop or park must do so such that they allow the best use of the remaining available space.
3. When getting out of a motor vehicle or off a moped, the driver must observe in addition, where applicable, the following rules:
a) To turn off the engine and remove the ignition key and, if leaving the vehicle, to take the necessary precautions to prevent its unauthorized use.
b) Put on the parking brake.
c) In a vehicle provided with a gearbox, to leave it placed in first gear, on an uphill slope, and in reverse, on a downhill slope, or, if applicable, in the ‘park’ position.
d) For vehicles of more than 3,500 kg MAM, buses or articulated vehicles stopping or parking in a place with a significant gradient, the driver must, in addition leave it properly chocked, by means of positioning wedges, or other suitable items such as stones, or by pointing one of the streered wheels at the curb of the sidewalk, angling them towards the center of the road if pointing uphill, and towards the outside if pointing downhill. Chocks must be removed from the road before moving off.

Method and manner of stopping or parking

Article 91. Method and manner of stopping or parking.
1. Stopping and the parking must be done in such a way that the vehicle does not obstruct traffic nor constitute a risk to other road users, taking special care in positioning the vehicle and avoiding its movement in the absence of the driver (LST Art 38,3).
2. Stopping or parking in places considered as dangerous or where it seriously obstructs traffic include the following cases:
a) When the distance between the vehicle and the opposite side of the road or a longitudinal mark on it which indicates a crossing prohibition is less than 3m or, in any case, when it does not allow the passage of other vehicles.
b) When it prevents the moving off of another vehicle properly stopped or parked.
c) When it blocks the normal use of an exit or access to a building by people or animals, or by vehicles of a “keep clear” sign.
d) When the normal use of a disabled parking bay is obstructed.
e) When done in the median zones, separations, islands or other traffic directing elements.
f) When the corresponding signal prohibits turning.
g) When parking in a load and unloading zone, during the stated hours of use.
h) When double parking and the driver leaves the vehicle.
i) When the parking in signed and marked public transport stop.
j) When parking in spaces expressly reserved for emergency or security services.
k) When parking in specifically signed prohibited areas in the road.
l) When parking in the middle of the road.
m) Stopping or parking not included in the previous paragraphs that constitutes a danger or seriously obstructs the passage of pedestrians, vehicles or animals.
3. Infractions of this Article are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.d).

Places suitable for stopping and parking

Article 90. Places suitable for stopping and parking.
1. Stopping or parking a vehicle on interurban roads must always be done off the road, on the right hand side and leaving the passable part of the hard shoulder free (LST Art 38,1).
When for emergency reasons it is not possible to locate the vehicle off the road and the passable part of the hard shoulder, the rules contained in the following Articles of this chapter and those in Article 130 will be observed, if applicable.
2. When on urban roads it must be done on the road or the hard shoulder with the vehicle as close as possible to the right hand side, except on one-way roads, where it can also be done on the left (LST Art 38,2).
Municipal authority ordinances must also be observed in accordance with Article 93.