Parking questions are some of the easiest points on the DMV permit test if you memorize the four key distances and the five curb colors. Here's everything you need.
Where you can never park
Whether or not a sign is posted, every state prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in a marked crosswalk, on a sidewalk, in front of a public or private driveway, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal, within 50 feet of the nearest railroad crossing rail, within a designated bicycle lane, and within 20 feet of a fire-station driveway. These distances appear on the test verbatim — memorize them.
Curb colors
Most states use the same five-color system. Red means absolutely no stopping, standing, or parking. Yellow is a loading zone — you may stop only long enough to load or unload passengers or freight. White is for very brief passenger pickup or drop-off only. Green allows parking for a short, posted time limit. Blue is reserved for vehicles displaying a disabled placard or plate.
Hill parking
When parking on a hill, set the parking brake and turn the front wheels so the vehicle will roll into the curb if the brakes fail. Heading downhill, turn the wheels TOWARD the curb. Heading uphill with a curb, turn the wheels AWAY from the curb so the right rear tire rolls back against it. Heading uphill or downhill with no curb, always turn the wheels toward the edge of the road so a runaway vehicle leaves the roadway.
Disabled parking
Disabled parking spaces are reserved for vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard or plate AND being used to transport the qualified person. Parking in a disabled space without a placard is a high-fine offense — typically $250 to $1,000 for a first offense. The placard is for the person, not the car; a relative may use the placard only when the qualified person is the one being driven.
Parallel parking
The road test includes parallel parking. The standard maneuver: pull alongside the car ahead of your space, signal, back at a 45-degree angle until your front bumper clears the rear bumper of the car ahead, then straighten the wheel and slide in. [Recommended driving resource] The vehicle should end up within 18 inches of the curb without hitting either neighboring car. Practice in an empty parking lot using cones before you take the test.
Backing up
Never back up further than necessary. Always check behind your vehicle before backing — get out and walk around if you can't see the ground behind you. Backing into traffic is illegal in every state.