No stopping zones — District of Columbia Permit Test

Unless needed to avoid a conflict or directed by police or a traffic control device, do not stop a vehicle in front of a public driveway, on a sidewalk, within an intersection, or on a crosswalk.

A car stopped on a crosswalk or sidewalk forces people walking into traffic, and one in an intersection blocks every direction.

Except when necessary to avoid a conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or official traffic control device, do not stop a vehicle:

Do not stop between a safety zone and the adjacent curb, or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless signs or markings give a different length.

People step off a safety zone into the street, and a car stopped beside it is exactly where they walk.

Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb, or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone unless the State Highway Administration or local authority indicate a different length by signs or markings

Do not stop a vehicle upon any bridge or other elevated structure on a highway, or within a highway tunnel.

Bridges and tunnels have no shoulder, so a stopped car blocks the lane with nowhere for traffic to go around.

Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel

Do not stop a vehicle in a direction that is opposite from the flow of traffic.

A car parked facing the wrong way has to pull out against traffic, and its lights confuse oncoming drivers at night.

In a direction that is the opposite from the flow of traffic

Do not stop a vehicle alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction where stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic.

A roadwork pit already narrows the street, and a stopped car beside it can close the road completely.

Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction where stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic

Where are you forbidden to stop your vehicle?

Within an intersection. A car stopped on a crosswalk or sidewalk forces people walking into traffic, and one in an intersection blocks every direction. DC Driver Manual, p.77: “Except when necessary to avoid a conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or official traffic control device, do not stop a vehicle:”