Texas Parking Laws: Understanding the Basics

Driving in Texas requires drivers to pay attention to their surroundings and traffic rules. It doesn't stop just because you park your car. In fact, if you park your car incorrectly or in the wrong place, you can become a hazard to other motorists. It is very important to pay attention to the parking rules and follow them. This will protect you and others and ensure you don't get a parking ticket or have your vehicle towed.

Parking Rules to Remember

In Texas, you are not allowed to park, stop, or park your car in various places. For example, you cannot park twice. This is when you park your car on the side of another car that is on the edge of a road or curb. It is forbidden to park a car on a pedestrian crossing, sidewalk or within an intersection. It is also illegal to park between the security zone and the adjacent curb. When parking, you must be at least 30 feet from the opposite end of the security zone.

Also, if there is earthwork or other obstruction on the street and stopping, standing, or parking would impede traffic, you are not allowed to do so. You may not park, stop or stand on a bridge or other elevated structure or in a tunnel. The same is true with railroad tracks.

Whether your vehicle has a passenger or not, you are not allowed to park or park your vehicle in front of a public or private driveway. You must be at least 15 feet from a fire hydrant and 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection. You must be at least 30 feet away from any stop signs, yield signs, flashing beacons, or other traffic lights on the side of the road. If you are parking on the same side of the street as the fire station, you must be at least 20 feet from the road. When you park on the opposite side, you must be at least 75 feet away.

Those who are outside business and residential areas and have no choice but to park along the road need to leave enough room for others to pass. They must also ensure that their vehicle is visible from a distance of at least 200 feet in both directions. If it is night, you will need to leave your parking lights on or dim your headlights.

Drivers should never park in a disabled space unless they are authorized to do so. You will need to have special signs or signs to avoid fines. Parking fines in these places are very high - from 500 to 750 dollars for the first violation.

Always check the signs in the area where you want to park. This ensures that you don't park in places you shouldn't.