Do I have to pay for parking if I stay in the car?
What counts as parking, and the short-stop exception.
Short answer
Yes, in a paid parking zone you have to pay even if you stay in the car, because Norwegian rules count it as parking when the driver sits inside. Statens vegvesen says a vehicle is parked even with the engine running. Only the shortest possible stop to drop off or pick up people, or to load goods, is not parking.
Why
- Statens vegvesen (the Norwegian Public Roads Administration) defines parking as any leaving of a vehicle, even if the driver does not leave it.
- Short stops to pick up or drop off people or to load and unload goods are not parking, but 'shortest possible' means you may do nothing else during the stop.
- In Oslo, parking against the sign, for example without paying, gives a control sanction of NOK 660.
Details
The exception for passengers and loading never applies where stopping is banned (stanseforbud), since that bans every kind of stop. Loading also requires that the items have a certain weight, amount or size. When you pay in an app, it is your responsibility to type the correct registration number.
Tip
If you are waiting to pick someone up, start a parking session in a parking app for the minutes you wait, or wait outside the paid area.
What may differ
You only pay during the fee hours on the sign. In Oslo, parking is generally free on Sundays and public holidays unless a sign says otherwise.
Common misconception
If you stay in the driver's seat, the car is not parked, so you do not need to pay.
What actually happens
Statens vegvesen says that even if you sit in the vehicle with the engine running, the vehicle is parked.
People also ask
- Do I need to pay for parking if I wait in the car?
Sources
- Statens vegvesen: About parkingChecked at:
- City of Oslo: Parking fines, towing and complaintsChecked at:
- City of Oslo: Prices and payment for parkingChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Statens vegvesen and the signs before you park.
Parking rules and the EasyPark appRelated questions
-
When do the last T-bane and trams run at night in Oslo?
Most Oslo T-bane lines run until after 01:00 at night and some start before 05:00, while the last trams leave well after midnight.
-
Can I cycle through tunnels in Norway?
Yes, you can cycle through most road tunnels in Norway, but a few are closed to cyclists, and there you must find another route.
-
What are the rules for e-scooters in Norway (helmet, age, pavements)?
In Norway you must be at least 12 years old to ride an e-scooter, and riders under 15 must wear a helmet.
-
How do Oslo City Bikes (Oslo Bysykkel) work?
Oslo Bysykkel works through its app: you register, buy a pass, unlock a bike at a station and return it to a station with a free lock.