Test Essential

Master Parking Rules & Regulations

Curb colors, distance requirements, and hill parking are test staples. Know the rules that make up about 5% of your permit test.

Why Parking Rules Matter on the Test

Parking questions appear on every DMV test because improper parking causes accidents, blocks emergency access, and creates traffic hazards. Expect questions on:

Curb color meanings
Distance requirements
Hill parking techniques
Illegal parking zones

The Language of Curb Colors

Curb colors are a universal language telling you where you can—and cannot—park. Most parking tickets come from misreading these simple color codes.

Red Curb: No Parking

Red means stop ONLY if legally required (e.g., a stop sign), but otherwise: No stopping, standing, or parking. Red curbs are often used for fire lanes and emergency vehicle access. Do not park here, even for a "quick" errand.

Blue Curb: Disabled Parking

This space is reserved exclusively for vehicles displaying a valid disabled person's placard or license plate. The fine for parking here without authorization can range from $250 to over $1,000. It is illegal to borrow someone else's placard.

White Curb: Passenger Loading

You may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers or mail. You usually cannot leave the vehicle, and the time limit is often very short (5 minutes).

Yellow Curb: Commercial Loading

Stop no longer than the time posted to load or unload passengers or freight. Drivers of non-commercial vehicles are usually required to stay with the vehicle.

Green Curb: Limited Time

Park for a limited time. Look for a painted time limit on the curb or a nearby sign (e.g., 15, 30, or 60 minutes).

Critical Distance Requirements

Parking too close to intersections, hydrants, or driveways isn't just illegal—it's dangerous. It blocks visibility for other drivers and access for emergency responders.

Minimum Distances

Fire Hydrant: Keep at least 15 feet away. This gives firefighters room to connect hoses.
Intersection/Crosswalk: Keep at least 20 feet away from a crosswalk at an intersection to allow visibility.
Railroad Crossing: Never park within 50 feet of the nearest rail.

Where You May Never Park

It is illegal to park your car in any of the following places:

In front of a private or public driveway (even your own).
On a sidewalk or in a crosswalk.
Within 3 feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons.
In a tunnel or on a bridge (unless signs explicitly permit it).
Double Parking: Parking on the street side of another parked vehicle.

Hill Parking: Which Way to Turn

This is one of the most commonly missed test questions. The logic is simple: your car should roll into something that stops it (the curb), not into traffic.

Parking Downhill

Turn your front wheels INTO the curb (right). If your brakes fail, the car will roll off the curb and stop, rather than rolling into the street.

Parking Uphill

Turn your front wheels AWAY from the curb (left) and let your vehicle roll back a few inches. The back of the front wheel should gently touch the curb. If the brakes fail, the car will catch on the curb.

No Curb?

If there is no curb (uphill or downhill), turn your wheels TOWARD the shoulder of the road. This ensures that if the car moves, it rolls away from the center of the road.

Interactive Quiz

Test Your Knowledge

10 questions covering curb colors, distances, and hill parking. Accounts for ~5% of the test.

Use keys 1-4 to select, Enter to submit

Question 1 of 100% Complete

How close can you legally park to a fire hydrant?

Questions are created and maintained by the DMV Question Bank content team following a rigorous editorial process. Content is updated regularly to reflect the latest state DMV handbooks and traffic laws.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What do curb colors mean?

Red = No parking/stopping, Blue = Disabled parking only, White = Passenger loading/unloading only, Yellow = Commercial loading/unloading only, Green = Short-term parking (usually 15-30 minutes).

How far should I park from a fire hydrant?

You must park at least 15 feet away from a fire hydrant in most states. This ensures emergency vehicles can access water quickly.

Which way do I turn my wheels when parking on a hill?

Uphill with curb: turn wheels AWAY from curb. Downhill with curb: turn wheels TOWARD the curb. Uphill without curb: turn wheels TOWARD the road edge.

Can I park in a disabled space if I'm just running in quickly?

No. Parking in a disabled space without proper authorization (placard or license plate) is illegal regardless of how long you'll be there, and carries fines of $250-$500+.