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California driving lesson · Turns, Merging & Parking

Parallel parking, backing & hill parking

A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Turns, Merging & Parking
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
32, 33

Parallel parking and straight-line backing are tested on the drive test. Hill parking protects against your car rolling if equipment fails. Each has exact distances and wheel positions.

To parallel park:

  • 1. Find a space at least three feet longer than your vehicle and signal
  • 2. Pull beside the car ahead, about 2 feet away; stop when your rear bumper aligns with the space's front
  • 3. Keep signaling; check mirror and over your shoulder for vehicles and pedestrians
  • 4. Back into the space at about a 45-degree angle
  • 5. Turn the wheel away from the curb when your rear wheel is within 18 inches of the curb
Handbook p. 32 ↗
Parallel parking diagram (step 2)
Back into the space at about a 45° angle
18 inches

Your vehicle should end parallel and within this distance of the curb

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Know the rule

After parking, turn off the vehicle and set the parking brake. Before exiting, look carefully for passing vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles.

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Straight line backing:

  • 1. Traffic check: observe traffic and check blind spots
  • 2. Signal before pulling up to the curb; cancel it once completed
  • 3. Check blind spots: rearview mirror and over your shoulder
  • 4. Back straight for three vehicle lengths, staying within three feet of the curb
  • 5. Control: back at a smooth, safe speed, adjusting the wheel as needed
Handbook p. 33 ↗
3 lengths / 3 ft

Back straight for three vehicle lengths within three feet of the curb

Handbook p. 33 ↗

Know the rule

When parking on a hill, set the parking brake and leave the vehicle in park (or in gear for a manual transmission).

Handbook p. 33 ↗

Hill parking: which way to turn your front wheels

Hill parking: which way to turn your front wheels
SituationTurn front wheels
Downhill, with curbInto the curb (right, toward side of road)
Uphill, with curbAway from curb (left); roll back to touch curb
Uphill or downhill, no curbRight, toward the shoulder of the road
Sloping drivewaySo the vehicle won't roll into the street
Handbook p. 33 ↗
Perpendicular parking diagram
Wheel positions: downhill, uphill, and no curb

Put it into practice

You park facing uphill on a street with a curb. Turn your front wheels left, away from the curb, and let the car roll back a few inches until the tire gently touches the curb. Then set the parking brake and leave it in park.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

When parallel parking, how much longer than your vehicle should the space be?
  1. At least one foot longer
  2. At least 5 feet longer
  3. At least 3 feet longer
  4. At least 10 feet longer

Answer: At least 3 feet longer

Look for a parallel parking space at least three feet longer than your vehicle.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
How close to the curb should your vehicle be after parallel parking?
  1. Within 12 inches of the curb
  2. Within 3 feet of the curb
  3. Within 5 feet of the curb
  4. Within 18 inches of the curb

Answer: Within 18 inches of the curb

After parallel parking, your vehicle should be parallel and within 18 inches of the curb.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
When parking headed downhill with a curb, which way should you turn your front wheels?
  1. Into the curb
  2. Away from the curb
  3. Straight ahead
  4. Either way, if the brake is set

Answer: Into the curb

When parked facing downhill, turn your front wheels into the curb so the vehicle rolls toward it if it moves.

Handbook p. 33 ↗
When parking headed uphill with a curb, which way should you turn your front wheels?
  1. Into the curb
  2. Away from the curb
  3. Straight ahead
  4. Toward the shoulder

Answer: Away from the curb

When parked facing uphill with a curb, turn your wheels away from the curb so the vehicle rolls back and gently touches it.

Handbook p. 33 ↗
When straight line backing, how many vehicle lengths should you back up while staying within three feet of the curb?
  1. One vehicle length
  2. Three vehicle lengths
  3. Five vehicle lengths
  4. Ten vehicle lengths

Answer: Three vehicle lengths

Back in a straight line for three vehicle lengths while remaining within three feet of the curb.

Handbook p. 33 ↗
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