Chapter 3: Parking Rules

Knowing how to park a vehicle legally and safely is a fundamental skill that is often overlooked but is critical for road safety and courtesy. Proper parking prevents obstructions for emergency vehicles, ensures pedestrian safety at crosswalks, and maintains the orderly flow of traffic. Mastering these rules is essential for passing the driving skills exam and for avoiding fines, towing, and dangerous situations in daily driving.

General Parking Rules

Properly parking a vehicle involves more than just finding an empty space. It requires following specific procedures to ensure the vehicle is secure and positioned correctly.

Securing the Vehicle

Before leaving a parked vehicle, a driver must always follow these steps to prevent it from moving unintentionally:

1. Place the transmission in “Park” (for automatic) or in a gear (typically first or reverse for manual).
2. Set the parking brake firmly. This provides a mechanical backup to the transmission.
3. Turn off the engine and remove the ignition key.
4. Lock the doors to prevent theft.

Parking on a Hill

When parking on an incline or decline, the vehicle’s front wheels must be turned in a specific direction to prevent it from rolling into traffic if the brakes fail. There are four scenarios:

• Downhill with a Curb: Turn the front wheels toward the curb. The curb will act as a block.
• Uphill with a Curb: Turn the front wheels away from the curb. If the car rolls backward, the back of the front tire will hit the curb.
• Downhill without a Curb: Turn the front wheels toward the side of the road (the shoulder). The vehicle will roll away from the traffic lane.
• Uphill without a Curb: Turn the front wheels toward the side of the road (the shoulder). If the car rolls backward, it will move off the pavement and away from traffic.