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Parking a boat trailer: the rules in Germany and Austria

If you trailer your boat to a German or Austrian lake, the trailer will spend more time parked than on the road: at the slipway, outside a holiday flat, or next to the house. The two countries handle this very differently.

This page sets out the rules in both, where else the trailer can stand, how to protect it against theft and what to check in your insurance.

Key points

Germany: a trailer without a towing vehicle may park on the street for up to two weeks (§ 12 (3b) StVO), unless a car park is signed for trailers.
Germany: trailers over 2 t gross weight may not park regularly in residential areas from 10 pm to 6 am or on Sundays and public holidays (§ 12 (3a) StVO).
Austria: a trailer without a towing vehicle may stand on the carriageway only while it is being loaded or unloaded (§ 23 (6) StVO).
Car parks at slipways and marinas are usually private, so the operator's rules apply.
Once unhitched, the towing vehicle's motor insurance no longer covers what the trailer does.

Germany: two weeks and the night ban

Under § 12 (3b) of the German road traffic regulations, a trailer without a towing vehicle may not be parked for longer than two weeks. This applies to every trailer, loaded or empty. The only exception is a car park that is signed for trailers.

For heavier rigs, § 12 (3a) adds a night ban: trailers over 2 t permitted gross weight may not park regularly between 10 pm and 6 am, or on Sundays and public holidays, in residential, recreational, spa and hospital areas within built-up areas. This affects many trailers for cabin boats and motorboats from about six metres.

A trailer that is not registered may not stand on public roads at all.

Austria: only while loading or unloading

Austria is much stricter. Under § 23 (6) of the Austrian road traffic regulations, trailers without a towing vehicle may be left on the carriageway only while being loaded or unloaded. Exceptions apply only if the trailer cannot be removed straight away, if removing it would be unreasonable for a business, or for another important reason.

Austrian courts read these exceptions narrowly; a lack of other parking space was expressly not accepted as an important reason. Leaving a boat trailer at the roadside overnight is therefore generally not allowed.

Slipways, marinas and supermarkets

Car parks by the water mostly belong to municipalities, clubs or marinas. The sign or the harbour rules say what applies: dedicated spaces for rigs, a daily fee or no parking overnight. Ask about trailer storage when you book a berth. On supermarket car parks the owner's rules apply, and an overnight trailer is rarely welcome.

Protecting trailer and boat against theft

A trailer can be hitched up and driven off within minutes. Against opportunistic thieves, what prevents hitching helps most.

A hitch lock that blocks the coupling head.
A wheel clamp, ideally in addition.
Park with the drawbar facing a wall or another vehicle in front.
Do not leave the outboard, electronics or battery on the boat overnight.
Take photos of the trailer, its type plate and the hull number.

If it is stolen nonetheless: report it to the police, inform your insurer and check the list of stolen boats and engines.

What to check in your insurance

While hitched, the towing vehicle's motor liability insurance covers damage to third parties. Unhitched, no vehicle is in operation: if the trailer rolls away or someone is injured on the drawbar, the keeper may be personally liable. No liability policy replaces the trailer itself after theft or a storm.

Check whether your boat policy names the trailer for liability when unhitched, and whether theft of the trailer is covered and on what conditions, for example a hitch lock or wheel clamp. More in our guide to trailer insurance.

Towing to the water?

Check weights, towing capacity and licence class for your rig before you set off.

Open the towing calculator

More on trailers and buying

This page summarises the German and Austrian road traffic regulations in general terms and is not legal advice. Last updated: November 2026.