Winter parking, snow clearing and vehicle removal
When your car can be towed for snow clearing, the 24-hour rule for temporary signs, and the two legal bases for removal.
During winter, temporary signs are frequently put up for snow clearing, ice scraping, street cleaning or roadworks — typically “No parking” with a supplementary sign giving a day or time period.
The 24-hour rule
A temporary parking-control sign takes effect when erected, but you have a deadline: no later than 24 hours after it is put up, you must comply (Parking Regulations section 25). In practice, enforcement and removal may begin only after 24 hours. In return, you must check the signs where your vehicle is parked at least once a day, even when away. A vehicle already there is noted; leaving it after the deadline risks both a sanction and removal.
Date parking — a historic system
Many still look for “date parking”, the former system of parking on alternating sides of the street according to the date and house numbers. It was discontinued; Oslo ended it in 1989. Daily checking of temporary signs replaced it. If you encounter such a sign, follow what is signed.
When a vehicle can be towed — two legal bases
Removal is not a punishment; it is a measure when a vehicle causes an obstruction or inconvenience. The legal basis depends on where it is parked:
- On a public road — Road Traffic Act section 37. Police or the municipality may remove a vehicle that obstructs traffic, causes harm or inconvenience, prevents road work such as snow clearing, or is unlawfully parked. It may be removed without warning where there is a serious accident risk or it obstructs snow clearing. Appeals go to the municipal appeals board and then the district court.
- On contract parking — Parking Regulations section 38. A vehicle may be removed when it obstructs traffic while breaching the parking terms, or occupies a space reserved for people with reduced mobility without entitlement. Appeals go to the Parking Complaints Board.
In both cases, the owner pays the costs of removal and storage, in addition to any sanction. An unregistered vehicle may also be removed under the 14-day rule.