Parking is about staying visible, keeping the car from rolling, and not blocking hydrants, crosswalks, tracks or driveways. The distance rules are classic test questions: learn 12 inches, 15, 20, 30 and 50 feet.
Maximum distance from the curb when you park; with no curb, pull as far off the roadway as possible
Handbook p. 56 ↗Know the rule
If you must park on the roadway, use your four-way flashers, leave room for passing vehicles, make sure you can be seen from at least 500 feet in both directions, and park in the direction traffic moves.
Handbook p. 56 ↗Know the rule
Make sure your vehicle can't move: set the parking brake and shift to Park (automatic) or Reverse or First (manual).
Handbook p. 56 ↗Parking on a hill
| Situation | Turn your wheels |
|---|---|
| Downhill with a curb | Completely to the right (toward the curb) |
| Uphill with a curb | To the left (steering wheel turned left) |
| Downhill or uphill without a curb | Completely to the right |
Unless in an emergency or told by police, never stop, stand or park:
- Double parked beside a vehicle already stopped at the curb
- On a sidewalk, within an intersection or on a crosswalk
- Along or opposite street digging or a work area
- On a bridge or elevated structure, or in a highway tunnel
- On railroad tracks, or between the roadways of a divided highway (including crossovers)
Also never park:
- Where official signs prohibit parking or stopping
- In front of a public or private driveway
- Where your vehicle would block a streetcar
- On a limited access highway, unless traffic control devices allow it
Minimum parking distances
| From | Distance |
|---|---|
| Fire hydrant | 15 feet |
| Crosswalk at an intersection | 20 feet |
| Driveway entrance to a fire station | 20 feet |
| Flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or roadside device | 30 feet |
| Nearest rail of a railroad crossing | 50 feet |
Parallel parking at a right-hand curb
- Stop even with the vehicle ahead, about 2 feet away from it
- Turn wheels sharply right and back slowly toward the vehicle behind
- As your front door passes the back bumper ahead, straighten the wheels and keep backing straight
- When clear of the vehicle ahead, turn wheels sharply left and back slowly toward the vehicle behind
- Turn wheels sharply right and pull toward the center of the space
Know the rule
Before leaving your vehicle, turn off the engine, remove the key and lock all doors. Check for traffic behind you before you get out.
Handbook p. 57 ↗Know the rule
To park in a space for persons with disabilities, the vehicle must display a disabled person or disabled veteran plate or placard AND be operated by or for that person. Violators can be towed and fined $50 to $200.
Handbook p. 96 ↗Put it into practice
You find a spot with the fire hydrant about 10 feet in front of your bumper. Keep looking: you must park at least 15 feet from a hydrant.