Parking Traffic Signs
Traffic signs are usually placed perpendicularly to the traffic they are relevant to. Meaning that traffic signs are placed on two-way streets on the relevant side of the road that the vehicles use. Though it is permitted to park on the opposite side of the road, the parking driver is obligated to check the traffic signs relevant to the side of the street they are parking on.
If you are parking on the opposite side of the road, you are obligated to know the parking regulations of the parking space even though you have not passed the traffic signs when driving from your direction of arrival.
No standing or parking (sign C37)
Sign C37 is used to prohibit stopping for any other reason than an obstacle on the side of the road the sign indicates.
The sign is in effect until the next general road or street intersection, the next C37, C44, E2 or E3 sign, or a parking area indicated with a sign, unless the restriction zone is indicated with a supplementary sign.
No parking (sign C38)
Sign C38 is used to prohibit parking on the side of the road the sign indicates. The sign’s restriction zone is the same as the sign C37’s. Permitted parking times may be indicated with a supplementary sign.
The sign is in effect until the next general road or street intersection, the next C37, C44, E2 or E3 sign, or a parking area indicated with a sign, unless the restriction zone is indicated with a supplementary sign.
No parking zone (sign C39)
Parking is not permitted in the zone restricted by a C39 sign. The restriction affects both sides of the road and other areas used for general traffic.
The sign is in effect until the next C40 sign or until the area used for general traffic ends. Additional traffic signs can dictate parking further within the zone.
End of no parking zone (sign C40)
A C40 sign often comes after a C39 sign and indicates the restricted no parking zone.
Residential zone (sign E24)
When inside a residential zone the general residential street traffic regulations are in effect.
-
Driving speed must suit foot traffic and must not exceed 20km/h
-
Within residential zones drivers must ensure that foot traffic is unobstructed
-
Parking in residential zones is only permitted in marked parking spaces. Bicycles, mopeds as well as vehicles with home care or reduced mobility parking rights may park outside marked parking spaces, if it does not cause excessive inconvenience to traffic.
The sign is in effect until the next E25 sign.
Residential zone ends (sign E25)
An E25 sign often comes after an E24 sign and indicates the end of the restricted residential zone.
Pedestrian zone (sign E26)
Walking, cycling and driving light electric vehicles are permitted in pedestrian zones. Within pedestrian zones the general pedestrian traffic regulations are in effect.
-
Motorized vehicles are only allowed to be driven into properties within the pedestrian zone unless other connections to the property are usable.
-
Stopping and parking motorized vehicles is not permitted in pedestrian zones, excluding service traffic when indicated with a traffic sign.
-
Driving speed must suit foot traffic and must not exceed 20km/h.
-
Within pedestrian zones drivers must ensure that the foot traffic is unobstructed
The sign is in effect until the next E27 sign. Rotuaari is mostly considered a pedestrian zone indicated with E26 signs.
Pedestrian zone ends (sign E27)
An E27 sign often comes after an E26 sign and indicates the end of the restricted pedestrian zone.
Cycle zone (sign E28)
When driving in an indicated cycle zone, you must ensure that the cycle traffic is unobstructed. Driving speed must suit the cycle traffic.
Parking is permitted only in marked parking spaces within cycle zones. Vehicles with reduced mobility rights may park outside marked parking spaces, if it does not cause excessive inconvenience to traffic.
Bicycles and mopeds can be parked in cycle zones if it does not cause excessive inconvenience to traffic.
The sign is in effect until the next E29 sign. The lane from Pakkahuoneenkatu between Rantakatu-Uusikatu is considered a cycle zone indicated with traffic signs.
Cycle zone ends (sign E29)
An E29 sign often comes after an E28 sign and indicates the end of the restricted cycle zone.
Alternative parking, parking not permitted on odd numbered days (sign C44.1)
Sign C44.1 is used to prohibit parking on odd numbered days of the month on the side of the road the sign indicates. The parking prohibition is in effect from 8.00 to 8.00 the next day.
The sign is in effect until the next general road or street intersection, the next C37, C44, E2 or E3 signs, or a parking area indicated with a sign, unless the restriction zone is indicated with a supplementary sign.
Alternative parking, parking not permitted on even numbered days (sign 44.2)
Sign C44.2 is used to prohibit parking on even numbered days of the month on the side of the road the sign indicates. The parking prohibition is in effect from 8.00 to 8.00 the next day.
The sign is in effect until the next general road or street intersection, the next C37, C44, E2, or E3 signs, or a parking area indicated with a sign, unless the restriction zone is indicated with a supplementary sign.
Disc parking, obligation to indicate arrival time (signs C38 and E2 + supplementary signs)
The permitted parking time in the example is 30 minutes with indicated arrival time during the indicated time periods.
The indicated time periods are Mon-Fri 8.00-18.00, and Saturdays 8.00-16.00. Sunday parking is not defined on the example sign, but if it was, it would be indicated with red text.
The calendar dates that are marked as holidays in red always use the indicated red time periods, regardless of weekday. Other mid-week holidays are considered normal weekdays and the day-specific parking times are in effect.
In the examples, the C38 and E2 signs’ supplementary signs are not in effect outside the indicated time periods, and parking is allowed freely outside the periods.
The arrival time is indicated as the next full or half hour.
No parking with a time limit
The no parking signs are in effect from Monday 8.00 to Thursday 8.00, and from Thursday 8.00 to Monday 8.00.
The no parking signs often alternate the sides of a road. The weekday-specific prohibitions are often based on matters of maintenance, the alternating prohibitions ensure snow shoveling for example.
Supplementary signs
Rectangular supplementary signs can be added to specify the sign’s effect or target if needed. Supplementary signs can also be used to indicate the restricted area or period of effect. The supplementary sign always defines the main sign.
The supplementary sign’s base is yellow, edges red, and text black when it accompanies warning signs, priority or give-way signs and restrictive signs.
The supplementary sign can also have a blue base, white edges and white symbol, the same colors as the main sign.
The colors of other supplementary signs are usually the same as the main sign it accompanies.
The example supplementary signs indicate a main sign’s area of effect in different directions.
-
Arrows pointing left and right: The main sign’s effect extends to both directions when viewed from the front
-
Arrows pointing up and down: the main sign’s effect extends forward and behind when viewed from the front. The sign reinforces a sign seen before.
-
Arrow pointing right: the main sign’s effect extends to the right when viewed from the front.
-
Arrow pointing down: The main sign’s effect ends at this sign when viewed from the front. The possible restriction or prohibition is no longer in effect going forward from this sign.
Other stopping and parking prohibitions and restrictions
Road Traffic Act 36§:
Vehicles can be stopped and parked only on the right side of the road. On one-way streets, stopping and parking is permitted also on the left side of the road. In urban areas, stopping and parking on the left side of roads is permitted on two-way streets if it does not endanger or harm traffic.
Vehicles must be stopped or parked parallel to the road and as close to the road edge as possible.
Road Traffic Act 37§:
Vehicles are not permitted to be stopped or parked in a way that endangers or harms traffic.
Vehicles are not permitted to be stopped or parked:
-
on sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes, cycle crossings or within five meters from pedestrian crossings, intersecting cycle lanes or cycle crossings
-
in intersections or within five meters of the nearest edge of the intersecting roadway
-
so close to railways or tram rails that it causes harm to rail traffic
-
In a way that covers or obscures traffic signs or lights
-
Inside underpasses or tunnels
-
On hilltops or in visually restricted places in road curves or near one
-
In places where the roadway is divided into different lanes with solid lines or comparable indicators or so close to such solid line or indicator that entering the roadway is complicated
-
In parking spaces subject to charges without paying such charges
-
By solid lines so that there is less than three meters between the vehicle and the solid line and there is no dashed line between the vehicle and the solid line
-
In traffic circles
-
In cycle lanes or bus lanes
-
in highways or limited-access highways anywhere else than in marked parking spaces, service areas, pull-offs or in marked bus stops with the purpose of picking up or dropping off passengers
However, stopping due to an obstacle, following make-way regulations and emergencies is permitted.
Stopping and parking bicycles and mopeds is permitted in pedestrian lanes and cycle lanes. Other vehicles can be stopped for a short time on pedestrian lanes or cycle lanes carefully in order to enter or exit the vehicle or for loading or unloading the vehicle if there are no other suitable places to stop and there is compelling reason to stop. The stopped vehicle must not cause inconvenience to traffic on the pedestrian or cycle lane. The driver must remain near the vehicle and move it to a place where it does not cause inconvenience if needed.
Road Traffic Act 38§:
Vehicles are not permitted to be stopped or parked:
-
Within 30 meters from a railroad crossing
-
By a road leading to a property or otherwise in a way that inconveniences traffic to and from the property
-
Beside another vehicle parked along a road, excluding bicycles and mopeds
-
In a way that entry to another vehicle or driving the vehicle is inconvenienced
-
Outside urban areas on roadways that are marked as priority ways
-
In a way that the vehicle is partially outside of parking area indicated by a traffic control device
-
In a parking area outside a parking space indicated by a traffic control device
-
in emergency access roads marked with traffic signs according to the constitution (379/2011) 11 §.
- In areas that separates parts of the road from each other
Off-Road Traffic Act 4§:
- Off-road without permission from the landowner or occupant