Parking, Stopping and Special Traffic Situations
Distinguish stopping (Halten) from parking (Parken): parking is any stop longer than a short pause for boarding or loading. Parking is forbidden within 5 m of a junction, on pedestrian crossings and within 5 m of them, at bus stops, in front of driveways, on narrow roads where traffic would be obstructed, and on motorways and their emergency lanes. Stopping is forbidden on crossings, at bus stops while a bus is present, and in the second row.
Special situations include tunnels (lights on, safety distance, no U-turns), level crossings (never stop on the tracks; if the barrier lowers, break through it), motorway rules (no reversing, no pedestrians), and winter conditions where snow chains or winter tyres may be required. Know the situational winter tyre rule (winter tyres needed in snow, slush or ice) and the obligation to clear windows and lights before driving.
Traps: parking partly on the pavement without permission; parking against the direction of traffic; assuming hazard lights legalise illegal parking (they do not). Also expect questions on blue zones and short-term parking discs.
Worked rule of thumb: at a junction, measure 5 m from the extended kerb line - anything closer is illegal, even if no sign says so. In tunnels, keep at least the two-second gap and switch on dipped headlights.