Chapter 3: Parking Rules

Knowing how to park your vehicle correctly is a fundamental skill for any driver, essential for both safety and courtesy. Improper parking can obstruct traffic, block access for emergency vehicles, and create hazards for pedestrians and other drivers. Mastering these rules is not only crucial for passing your driver’s exam but also for being a responsible member of the driving community.

General Parking Rules

Properly parking a vehicle involves more than just placing it between two lines. It requires securing the vehicle to prevent it from moving and positioning it correctly based on the environment.

Securing Your Vehicle

Whenever you park and leave a vehicle, you must ensure it is properly secured.

1. Stop the Engine: Turn the ignition off.
2. Set the Parking Brake: This provides a mechanical lock on the wheels, separate from the transmission, and is the most reliable way to keep your car in place.
3. Place in “Park”: For automatic transmissions, shift to “Park.” For manual transmissions, shift into reverse (if facing downhill) or first gear (if facing uphill or on a level surface).
4. Remove the Key and Lock the Ignition: This is a critical step to prevent theft.
5. Lock the Doors: Secure your vehicle and belongings.

Parking on a Hill

Parking on an incline requires turning your front wheels in a specific direction to prevent the car from rolling into traffic if the brakes fail. The direction depends on whether there is a curb and which way the vehicle is facing.

• Facing Downhill with a Curb: Turn your wheels toward the curb. The curb will act as a block.
• Facing Uphill with a Curb: Turn your wheels away from the curb. If the car rolls backward, the front tire will catch the curb.
• Facing Downhill without a Curb: Turn your wheels toward the edge of the road (the shoulder). If the car rolls, it will move away from the traffic lane.
• Facing Uphill without a Curb: Turn your wheels toward the edge of the road (the shoulder). If the car rolls backward, it will move off the roadway.

Pro-Tip:
A simple way to remember which way to turn your wheels when parking uphill with a curb is “Up, Up, and Away.” When you park uphill, turn your wheels up and away from the curb.