A 3-minute lesson from the Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Backing and parking happen at low speed, but people and cars move all around you. Virginia sets exact distances for where you can't park, and the direction you turn your wheels on a hill keeps a parked car from rolling into traffic.
Know the rule
The most common backing mistake is failing to look both ways behind you. Mirrors don't give a full view: turn your body and head right, look through the rear window, back slowly, and glance quickly to either side.
With a curb, turn your front wheels to keep the car from rolling into the street. Without a curb, turn them so the rear of the car would roll away from traffic.
You find a spot 18 feet from a corner, on a street with a hydrant 20 feet away. The hydrant distance is fine (15 feet), but you're within 20 feet of the intersection, so you can't park there.
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.
A painted red curb generally means what?
Stop only to load or unload while staying with your car
Parking is allowed for up to 15 minutes
Do not stop, stand, or park
Parking is reserved for disabled permit holders
Answer: Do not stop, stand, or park
A red curb generally means do not stop, stand, or park there.
