The official name of the sign "Taxi" in accordance with the classifier is "Parking place for passenger taxis", and its number in the classifier is 5.18. The taxi rank sign appeared on Russian roads not so long ago, which is why its meaning raises quite a few questions.
Why do I need a taxi stand sign
Changes in traffic rules related to the appearance of a taxi stand sign were made at the suggestion of traffic police specialists: they received many complaints from taxi drivers who have difficulties with parking and are often forced to pay fines due to the fact that all the few parking spaces, for example, at the restaurant, from there a call came in, the cars of employees or customers were occupied.
Usually it is installed in places where the congestion of potential passengers is especially high (at the railway station squares, at the terminals of air terminals, at large shopping centers or entertainment complexes, at the final stops of subways, etc.) - and where, as a rule, there are taxis waiting for customers. …
Restrictions for drivers and the area of validity of the taxi stop sign
The "Taxi" sign belongs to the group of road signs of special regulations and its difference from signs indicating public transport stops is only in the fact that it is installed at parking places, not stops. And in the parking area, taxis enjoy the same set of advantages as buses or trolleybuses at stopping places - and the rest of the drivers are required to comply with a number of restrictions.
In the zone of action of sign 5.18, the speed of movement of transport is not limited, but at the same time, drivers must be prepared for the fact that cars may appear in front of them leaving the parking lot with passengers. Therefore, next to the "Taxi" sign, it is necessary to pay particular attention to the signals of other vehicles and to maintain the required distance.
Only taxis can park near this sign. For other vehicles, parking at a distance of less than 15 meters is strictly prohibited and is subject to a fine. The maximum that you can afford is to make a short stop in the area of the sign for disembarking or embarking a passenger. But on condition that this stop does not interfere with taxi drivers.
At the same time, the absence of sign 5.18 does not mean that a taxi driver has no right to stop here: outside of special parking areas, taxis are parked "on a general basis."
According to the rules, "Taxi" signs must be two-sided: one-way signs of this group are allowed to be installed only on deserted roads outside of settlements, but taxi stands in such deserted places are usually not equipped.
