A 3-minute lesson from the Delaware course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Parking safely means getting close to the curb, securing the car so it can't roll, and getting out without stepping or swinging a door into traffic. You'll show parallel parking on your road test.
Know the rule
When you leave your vehicle on a highway or street, stop the engine, lock the ignition, remove the key and set the brakes; raising the windows and locking the doors is advisable. It's illegal to leave keys in a running, unattended vehicle.
To park at the left curb of a one-way street, follow the same steps with left and right reversed. To leave a space, signal, watch for traffic and turn the wheel toward the open lane.
Never open a door into traffic or so that it endangers anyone. Use the curb-side door, or check for oncoming vehicles—especially bicyclists—before opening the street-side door.
You park facing uphill on a street with a curb. Turn the front wheels away from the curb and let the near-side front tire rest against it, set the parking brake, and leave the car in gear.
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 on a two-way highway, your vehicle must be parked within
6 inches of the curb
12 inches of the curb
24 inches of the curb
36 inches of the curb
Answer: 12 inches of the curb
Parallel parking requires your vehicle to be within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the highway.
