Hi all,

I've searched for an answer to these questions, but not found anything - there was a link to a 'blue zone' document, but the doc is not found.

I've heard different things from different people. I would really appreciate if someone could confirm these - even some of my Swiss friends aren't sure on some (other points are included for completeness):

- When parking, should you should set the card to *the next 'mark' on the dial* never between marks? i.e. if you park at 4.15, set it to 4.30. I've heard of someone being fined for 'estimating' the time they arrived between marks.

- Parking in a blue zone space is limited to 1 hour, certainly in Zürich. Is this national?

- If the usual blue zone sign has a four digit number underneath with 'unbeschränkt' or similar, I presume it means either blue disk or permit, not *only* permit holders.

- From what I've read on this forum, it seems wise to make sure the whole car including bumpers are included in the space, not just the wheel lengths.

- White spaces, I presume, are free unlimited for all - what if no spaces are marked?

Thanks in advance,
Dave

Most blue cards have the rules written on them:
Set the time indicator to the NEXT half-hour mark after your arrival. eg: if you arrive at 4:01, set the marker to 14:30. you then have 1hr to park. The clock stops over lunchtime and between 1800 and 0800 on the next workday. So park at 1800, set the blue sign to 1800, and you can stay until 0900 on the next workday. Useful when going out in Zurich: time your car park hunting to arrive at the space at 1800, you'll find free spaces, and you can stay all night until 0900.

Yes (never seen it otherwise, and blue cards are the same everywhere, and the parking times are written on the blue card, and are not stated per canton, therefore must be national). However: observe and obey all posted signage!

With blue disc: blue zone rules apply
With valid Permit with 4-digit postcode: unlimited parking possible.

Wise yes. The rule is simple: You must park within the marked parking field. The interpretation of "within" varies a bit, but a vehicle with a 2m overhang at the rear (a truck), who just gets his rear wheels in the parking field, would hardly be considered by any stretch of the imagination to be "within" the parking field.

[QUOTE=davee;1447748]- White spaces, I presume, are free unlimited for all - what if no spaces are marked?

White = unlimited parking.

No marked spaces = observe and obey all posted signage.
If no signage whatsoever, e.g. on a country road, then park sensibly so as not to obstruct any road or pedestrian or agricultural traffic!!
I did get a sFr 40.- ticket once on a deadend country road, with no marked parking fields, but with a sign at the start of the deadend road stating "parking only in provided car parks" (which were off road and all full).

Common sense generally applies in all cases.

This is a vague approximation:

White (no space markings) - unlimited parking
White (space markings) - usually have a number next to them - and is paid parking. Often derestricted overnight - check the parking meter.
Blue (sometime with a PLZ) - the PLZ is the area code - EG 8032 in Romerhof Zurich. Use the blue disc following the instructions on the rear.

As for parking - I have never had a ticket in Switzerland - and have always only ever parked in continuous bays with my WHEELS INSIDE - IE with bumpers overhanging. The rules (as far as I have seen) is ALL wheels on or in the lines.

Thanks guys, much appreciated - I thought I would have found the info without a new post; obviously others aren't as paranoid as I am...!

I've seen plenty in this region that are 3hrs... it says on the sign.

I hope these websites will also be helpful for getting some information on the blue zone parking rules in zürich:

http://zurich.angloinfo.com/information/70/driving.asp

http://www.astra.admin.ch/dienstleis...x.html?lang=de

Parkscheibe mit Rückseite on www.astra.admin.ch : this pdf contains the rules related to blue zone parking

And what of the yellow box with the big cross in it. Appears to indicate some sort of parking (otherwise why would it be there), but i've seen cars being ticketed when there. Is this some sort of temporary (e.g. 10 minute) spot ? Is it reserved for certain class of people (e.g. police / emergency, building owner, swiss only, rich gits....)

Usually no parking during work days/hours. Sometimes restricted to buses/coaches. There should be a sign nearby.