Double parking, in other words parking alongside a row of vehicles already parked, is a common practice, and usually comes with justifications like, “I am just nipping to the shop”, “I have put my hazard lights on”, and “everyone does it”, amongst others, and although the practice might seem harmless, it comes with great consequences.
So, is it okay to double park? The short and direct answer to this question is a resounding no. Double parking is a punishable offence under the General Traffic Regulations. The regulations state that any vehicle parked in a double row, even for a short period, can be fined 100 euro. This includes those cases where the driver puts on the hazard lights in the hope of justifying the stop.
The law is clear on this point: if the vehicle is double-parked and the driver gets out of the car, it is considered parking, and therefore, it is illegal.
However, there is an exception that qualifies the rigidity of this rule. If the driver remains inside the vehicle with the engine running and does not cause obstruction to traffic, the action is considered a stop, not parking, and is neither illegal nor punishable. But only if all those criteria are satisfied. Plus, we must also keep in mind that there are places where it is also prohibited to stop.
This difference is key to avoid misunderstandings: a double-parking stop is temporary and allows the driver to move the vehicle if necessary, while a parking implies that the vehicle is unattended, which can lead to traffic and safety problems.
You must not impede the flow of traffic, even when a stop is considered, it should be brief – usually no more than two minutes – and should not interfere with the normal flow of traffic. If a double-parked car is impeding traffic or posing a danger to other drivers, the fine can increase to as much as 200 euro. Also, it is important to remember that traffic officers have the authority to decide whether an offence merits a fine or whether it can be considered a justified exception, although this is not something to be relied upon.