Many readers question whether motorbikes going on the sidewalk to enter the parking lot will be penalized for sidewalk driving. For cars, some areas even arrange parking spaces right on the sidewalk, vehicles must go onto the sidewalk.
According to current regulations, the purpose of parking does not naturally become a basis for exemption from penalties. Drivers need to distinguish between crossing the sidewalk to get inside and driving along the sidewalk to get to the parking place.
When is it okay to park on the sidewalk without being fined?
Point a, clause 7, Article 7 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP stipulates that motorcyclists traveling on sidewalks are fined from 4 million VND to 6 million VND, except for driving vehicles across sidewalks to enter houses and agencies.
Violators are also deducted 2 points from their driver's licenses.
Thus, if the parking lot is located inside a house or agency headquarters, the driver only crosses the sidewalk at the entrance to bring the car inside, then they are not penalized for the offense of driving on the sidewalk.
However, the regulation does not define all acts of going onto the sidewalk for the reason of "finding a parking spot" as exceptions.
For example, drivers running along the sidewalk for a distance to reach parking spots, shops or destinations can still be fined from 4 million VND to 6 million VND. Traffic jams, parking spots far from the access road or having parking attendants guide them do not automatically exclude the responsibility of drivers.
In case the parking lot is arranged directly on the sidewalk, it is necessary to see if this area is permitted by competent authorities to be used as a parking place.
If the driver leaves the motorbike on the sidewalk illegally, the fine applied is from 400,000 VND to 600,000 VND. This is an act different from the offense of driving on the sidewalk.
Therefore, in case there is no clear entrance or you have to move along the sidewalk to get to the parking spot, people should get out of the car, turn off the engine and lead the car to the parking place, instead of continuing to drive on the sidewalk.
In what cases are cars allowed to park on the sidewalk?
For cars, Decree 168/2024/ND-CP stipulates that drivers of vehicles traveling on sidewalks are fined from 6 million VND to 8 million VND and deduct 4 points from their driver's licenses. Exceptions also apply to cases where vehicles only pass through the sidewalk to enter houses and agencies.
Meanwhile, the act of parking and leaving cars on the sidewalk in violation of the law is fined from 800,000 VND to 1 million VND.
According to the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, sidewalks are in principle used for pedestrians. In case of temporary use of sidewalks for other purposes, there must be a plan and permission from competent authorities.
Therefore, on some roads, localities may allow the use of part of the sidewalk as a parking or car parking place. This area usually needs to be specifically organized by signs, lines, parking scope or management plans of competent authorities.
When a car enters the correct permitted parking position and complies with the traffic organization plan, parking is not considered illegally parked on the sidewalk. Conversely, drivers are not allowed to arbitrarily drive onto any sidewalk section just because they see other vehicles parked there.
Having someone collect money or guide parking is not enough to confirm that the parking spot is licensed. Drivers should observe signs, markings and the allowed parking area; do not drive along sidewalks or occupy pedestrian paths.
