Chapter 3: Parking Rules

Knowing how to park a vehicle legally and safely is just as important as knowing how to drive it. Improper parking can obstruct traffic, create hazards for pedestrians and other drivers, and block access for emergency vehicles. Mastering Rhode Island’s parking regulations is necessary to pass the driver’s test and to avoid fines, towing, and dangerous situations in your daily driving.

This section provides a detailed guide to correctly and legally parking in Rhode Island. It covers the fundamental procedures for securing a vehicle, specific techniques for parking on hills, a comprehensive list of prohibited parking locations, and the rules for accessible parking spaces.

General Parking Rules

Whenever a driver parks a vehicle, they must follow a set procedure to ensure it is secure and will not move unexpectedly. Additionally, different types of parking spaces and situations, like hills, require specific techniques.

Securing the Vehicle

After stopping in a legal parking space, the driver must set the parking brake firmly. The vehicle should be placed in “Park” (for automatic transmissions) or in gear (for manual transmissions). Before exiting, the driver must turn off the engine, remove the key, and lock the doors.