Where you must not stop

You must not stop, not even to pick up or set down passengers or to load or unload goods in the following places:

  • On an expressway.
  • In a 'No stopping' zone during the restriction time (see on this page).
  • On a 'Zebra' or 'Green man' crossing.
  • In a zebra controlled area marked with zigzag lines unless you are giving precedence to pedestrians or are waiting to make a left or right-turn.
  • At a bus stop, public light bus stand or taxi stand (except permitted users).
  • On parts of a roadway on which you are normally not allowed to enter, for example bus lanes, hard shoulders and cycleways.
  • In a tunnel area or control area.
  • On a yellow box marking or yellow striped 'green man' crossing.

The stopping ban does not apply in an emergency (for example, to avoid an accident), when your vehicle breaks down or stops to cope with traffic conditions, or when signalled to stop by a police officer, traffic warden, authorised personnel in tunnel area or control area, a traffic sign or traffic light.

'No stopping' zones

Road Sign

Regulatory sign - no stopping

Road Sign

On trunk roads and other major roads, a 'No stopping' ban may be indicated by traffic signs only. The 'No stopping' ban will be marked at the beginning and end by signs with yellow background; signs with white background (repeaters) at intervals along the roads remind drivers of the ban in force.

On expressways, neither signs nor yellow line markings are used to indicate the no-stopping restrictions. Once you enter an expressway, you must not stop under normal traffic conditions.

The 'No stopping' signs may apply to certain class of vehicle only, such as public light buses, goods vehicles or buses (see traffic signs below).

Road Sign

Road markings Regulatory signs and repeaters
Road Marking
No stopping at any time

Road Sign

Start sign

Road Sign

Repeater

Road Marking
No stopping at time period shown on the signs
Road Sign

 

Start sign

Road Sign

 

Repeater

Coloured sign post

Red, yellow and green colour sign posts are used to represent the three most common standard no-stopping restriction time periods for all motor vehicles - the colour of the sign post is for reference only. The no-stopping restriction time period should refer to the traffic sign.

Colour Time period
Red 7am - midnight
Yellow 7am - 7pm
Green 8am - 10am and 5pm - 7pm
Grey for all other time periods

You should not stop

  • Near a 'Green man' crossing.
  • Near a pedestrian crossing place, for example where there is an island on the road. 
  • Near traffic lights. 
  • Near a school crossing patrol.
  • On a major dual carriageway.
  • Near or at a junction. 
  • Near or on a roundabout.
  • Where you may cause danger to yourself, your passengers or other road users.

Certificate for picking up or setting down of passengers with disabilities in restricted zones

Certificate for picking up or setting down of passengers with disabilities in restricted zones

The police will exercise discretion to allow drivers of taxis, private cars, private light buses and private buses to pick up or set down passengers with disabilities in restricted zones (except expressways and 24-hour no stopping restricted zones), provided that no hazard or disruption is caused to other road users.

A person with disability can give to the driver a "Certificate for Picking Up or Setting Down of Passengers with Disabilities in Restricted Zones" (issued by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service) completed with record of the journey. The following persons with disabilities are eligible to use the Certificate:

  • persons with mobility problem such as wheelchair users or users of walking aids; or
  • visually impaired persons.

The driver can present the certificate to a police officer to prove that he/she has picked up or set down a passenger with disabilities in the restricted zone in case he/she is interrogated by the officer.