Where you may not stop or park

Many crashes happen because vehicles weren't parked properly or carefully. West Virginia law (§17C-13-3) lists places you may not stop, stand or park, several with exact distances the test loves to ask about.

Know the rule

Always park in the same direction as traffic on that side of the street, completely off the traveled part of the road. Double parking is illegal.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Know the rule

Whenever you park and leave the vehicle, turn off the engine and set the parking (emergency) brake. Lock it and take your keys.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Know the rule

Before getting out on the street side, look for bicycles, motorcycles or larger vehicles that could hit your open door or you.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Know the rule

The no-stopping rules apply except to avoid a conflict with traffic or to obey a law, police officer, or traffic signal.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

No stopping, standing or parking within

No stopping, standing or parking within
Distance	Of
15 feet	A fire hydrant
20 feet	A crosswalk at an intersection
30 feet	Any stop sign or traffic control signal
50 feet	The nearest rail of a railroad crossing
20 feet	A mailbox served by a carrier using a vehicle

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Never stop, stand or park:

On a sidewalk or a crosswalk
In front of a public or private driveway
Within an intersection
In front of a wheelchair ramp or curb cut
Beside or opposite street work where it would obstruct traffic

Handbook p. 55 ↗

Also never stop, stand or park:

On the traffic side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the curb (double parking)
On a bridge or other elevated structure, or in a highway tunnel
On any controlled-access highway
Anywhere the safety and convenience of the traveling public is endangered
Where official signs prohibit parking

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Know the rule

A curb in a no-parking zone may be painted yellow.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Put it into practice

You find a curbside spot 25 feet past a stop sign, 18 feet from a hydrant. Keep looking: you need 30 feet from a stop sign. The hydrant distance (15 feet) is fine, but the stop sign rule makes this spot illegal.

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.

How close to a fire hydrant is it illegal to park?

Within 10 feet
Within 20 feet
Within 30 feet
Within 15 feet

Answer: Within 15 feet

Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

How close to a crosswalk at an intersection is it illegal to park?

Within 15 feet
Within 30 feet
Within 20 feet
Within 50 feet

Answer: Within 20 feet

Parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection is prohibited.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

How close to a stop sign or traffic control signal is it illegal to park?

Within 20 feet
Within 50 feet
Within 15 feet
Within 30 feet

Answer: Within 30 feet

Parking within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control signal is prohibited.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

How close to the nearest rail of a railroad crossing is it illegal to park?

Within 30 feet
Within 50 feet
Within 100 feet
Within 20 feet

Answer: Within 50 feet

Parking within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing is prohibited.

Handbook p. 55 ↗

How close to a mailbox served by a carrier's motor vehicle is it illegal to park?

Within 20 feet
Within 15 feet
Within 30 feet
Within 10 feet

Answer: Within 20 feet

Parking within 20 feet of a mailbox served by a motor vehicle carrier is prohibited.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

You may park on any bridge or elevated structure as long as you use your hazard lights.

True
False

Answer: False

Parking on any bridge, viaduct, or elevated structure is prohibited outright.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

No stopping, standing or parking within

Never stop, stand or park:

Also never stop, stand or park:

Check your understanding

More in Rules of the Road