Parking: parallel, angle and hills

By the end of this topic you can

• You can parallel park within your state's distance from the curb.
• You can enter and leave an angle parking space safely.
• You can turn your wheels correctly when parking uphill or downhill.
• You can recognize places where stopping or parking is banned.
• You can pull out of a parking space safely.

What you need to know and understand

• Always set the parking brake and put an automatic in park.
• Downhill with a curb: turn the front wheels toward the curb.
• Uphill with a curb: turn the front wheels away from the curb, toward the road.
• No curb, uphill or downhill: turn the wheels toward the edge of the road.
• Distance from the curb varies: California allows up to 18 inches, Oregon 12 inches.
• Hydrant distance varies: 15 feet in California, 10 feet in Oregon.
• Never park in a crosswalk, an intersection, on railroad tracks or in front of a driveway.
• Parking in a disabled space without a valid placard or plate brings heavy fines.

Parallel parking, one step at a time

1. Find a space clearly longer than your car. California suggests at least 3 feet longer.
2. Signal, then pull up alongside the car in front of the space, about 2 feet away from it.
3. Stop when your rear bumper lines up with that car's rear bumper.
4. Check mirrors and blind spots, then back slowly, turning the wheel toward the curb to about a 45-degree angle.
5. As your car's rear nears the curb, turn the wheel the other way to bring the front in.
6. Straighten up, center yourself in the space and check you are within the legal distance from the curb.

Hills: which way to turn the wheels

The idea is simple: if your brakes failed, the car should roll into the curb or off the road, not into traffic.

• Downhill, curb or no curb: wheels turned toward the curb or road edge.
• Uphill with a curb: wheels turned away from the curb, then let the car roll back gently until the tire rests against it.
• Uphill with no curb: wheels turned toward the road edge, so the car rolls away from traffic.

Where you must not park

Most states ban stopping or parking in an intersection, on a crosswalk or sidewalk, on railroad tracks, in front of a driveway, next to another parked car (double parking), and wherever signs or markings say no. Exact distances differ. For example, California bans parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and within 20 feet of a crosswalk, while Oregon uses 10 feet for hydrants and 20 feet for crosswalks at intersections.

Some states, such as California, also use colored curbs: red means no stopping or parking, blue is for disabled parking, and white, green and yellow mark short-term or loading uses. Not every state uses this system.

Common mistakes

• Starting to reverse too early or too late. Line up your rear bumper with the other car's before turning.
• Forgetting the shoulder check before pulling out. Signal, check mirrors and blind spot, then yield.
• Turning wheels the wrong way on a hill. Remember: uphill with a curb is the only case where they turn away from it.
• Assuming another state's distances apply. Learn your own state's hydrant and curb rules.
• Leaving the car without setting the parking brake. Make it part of every stop.

Test yourself: Parking: parallel, angle and hills

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• How to Parallel Park for the US Road Test
• New York Disabled Parking Permit
• NY Road Test Parallel Parking