Standing, Stopping, and Parking. What’s The Difference?

Driving in the City of Toronto can be confusing at times. Especially when you need to find a place to park your car. You’ll often find that you have to calculate in your head if you are allowed to park, stand, or stop at the curb.

The way I figure out which sign is “in force” at a particular time is work my way from top to bottom. I ask my self is this sign “true or false” with the current conditions (time of day/week). I will work my way down each sign until one becomes “true”. I then stop and assume all the rest are “false” and make my decision.

So what’s the difference between parking, stopping, and standing?

No Parking: motorists are only permitted to load or unload passengers or merchandise. This means you are allowed to leave your car while you pick someone/something  up or drop someone/something off.

No Standing: motorists are only permitted to receive and discharge passengers. Typically used in the area of TTC bus stops. This means that you must stay in your car while picking up or dropping off someone.

No Stopping: motorists are generally not permitted to stop for any reason except to avoid a conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a constable or other police officer or of a traffic control sign or signal. Don’t even bother sticking around your vehicle must always be moving.

Can I wait in my car to pick up Sara from the gym? I look for a No Stopping sign. If I see one, then I can’t wait for her. Any other sign I’m safe to wait!