Good parking keeps your car from rolling into traffic and keeps reserved spaces open for the people who need them. Hill parking is also part of your driving exam.
Know the rule
When you park on a hill, put the gear selector in park and set the parking/emergency brake if necessary.
Handbook p. 37 ↗Know the rule
To start from a hill: release the parking brake, signal, check for oncoming traffic, and go when it's safe.
Handbook p. 37 ↗Which way to turn your front wheels
| Parking | Turn wheels |
|---|---|
| Downhill, with a curb | Toward the curb |
| Uphill, with a curb | Away from the curb |
| Uphill or downhill, no curb | Toward the side of the road you're parked on |
Know the rule
In urban areas, stop completely when coming out of an alley, building, private road or driveway, before the sidewalk area. With no sidewalk, stop where you can see approaching traffic. Then yield to pedestrians and vehicles and signal your turn.
Handbook p. 37 ↗Maximum distance from the curb when parallel parking
Handbook p. 38 ↗Know the rule
On a two-way street, park with your right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb. On a one-way street, park within 12 inches of the right or left curb.
Handbook p. 38 ↗Know the rule
Only vehicles with disability plates or placards may use spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. The authorized holder must be present and must be entering or leaving the vehicle.
Handbook p. 38 ↗
Know the rule
The striped area next to an accessible parking space is part of the reserved space. No one may park there, even with a placard or disability plates.
Handbook p. 38 ↗Know the rule
Parking without authorization in a space designated for persons with disabilities is a suspendable offense.
Handbook p. 63 ↗Know the rule
Spaces with charging stations for electric vehicles are for electric vehicles only.
Handbook p. 38 ↗Know the rule
Illinois residents with a permanent disability may get Persons with Disabilities plates for vehicles titled in their name. These plates do NOT exempt the holder from parking meter fees or time limits.
Handbook p. 102 ↗Disability parking placards
| Placard | Meter fees and time limits |
|---|---|
| Meter-Exempt Permanent | Exempt at meters over a 30-minute limit |
| Permanent | Not exempt |
| Temporary (max 6 months SOS; 90 days local) | Not exempt |
| Organization (free transport providers) | Not exempt |
Put it into practice
You park facing uphill on a street with a curb. Turn your front wheels away from the curb, put the car in park, and set the parking brake if needed.