Parking

General Rules and Where Not to Park

A parked car must not become a hazard to anyone else; that is your responsibility. Park only in designated areas, watch for signs that prohibit or limit parking, and read the curb colors.

Do not park (the numbers here are favorite test questions):

• In an intersection; on a crosswalk, sidewalk or bicycle lane
• Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or yield sign
• Within 5 feet of a driveway, alley or private road
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• Within 75 feet of a fire station driveway on the opposite side of the street
• Within 20 feet of a pedestrian safety zone
• On railroad tracks or within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
• In a construction zone
• Beside a vehicle that is already parked (double parking)
• On the shoulder of a freeway, except in an emergency
• On a bridge or overpass, or in a tunnel or underpass
• Facing oncoming traffic
• More than 12 inches from the curb
• Anywhere a sign says you may not

Curb colors: white allows only short stops; yellow or red marks a loading zone or another restriction; red stripes mark a fire lane where stopping and parking are prohibited.

After you park

• Always set the parking brake, especially on a hill.
• Before opening your door, check your mirrors and open it with the hand farthest from the door, the "Dutch Reach". It turns your body so you see approaching bicyclists and keeps the door from swinging open too fast.
• Take your keys and lock the doors.
• Leaving a child under 16 alone in a vehicle with the engine running is a crime; leaving a child under 12 alone in a parked vehicle is a crime whether or not it is running. So is leaving an animal where heat, cold, poor ventilation or lack of water could harm it. Police may remove children or animals by any reasonable means and are not liable for damage to the vehicle.

Parking on Hills and at the Curb

Parking on a hill: set the parking brake first, then turn the front wheels so that if the brake fails the car rolls into the curb, not into the road.

• Facing downhill: turn the wheel toward the curb so the front of the front tire rests against it. If the car rolls forward it is caught by the curb.
• Facing uphill with a curb: turn the wheel away from the curb so the back of the front tire rests against it. If the car rolls back it rolls into the curb. On low or rounded curbs, turning toward the curb may be safer because the car would roll away from the road.
• No curb: uphill or downhill, turn the wheels toward the edge of the road so the car rolls away from traffic.

A memory aid: downhill in, uphill out, no curb always out.

Parallel parking: pick the space, check traffic and signal. Look where the car is going while reversing. Back slowly until your front bumper lines up with the rear bumper of the car ahead, turn sharply and back into the space, then turn quickly the other way to straighten out, stopping before you touch the car behind. Pull forward to adjust so you are no more than 12 inches from the curb. To leave, back up as far as you can, check traffic and signal, and move forward slowly into the lane, making sure your front bumper clears the car ahead.

Perpendicular and angled parking: pick the space, check traffic, signal, move forward slowly while steering, center the car between the lines, pull to the front of the space and secure the vehicle. To leave, check traffic in all directions, back straight until your bumper clears the car beside you, turn sharply, stop once clear, and move forward smoothly while straightening the wheels.

Disabled Spaces, Charging Spaces and Loads

Reserved disabled parking: only vehicles displaying disabled parking plates or a placard may use these spaces. The white striped area beside a space is the access aisle and must stay clear so wheelchairs can load. You can be fined for parking without the placard or for blocking the aisle. Do not hang the placard from your mirror while driving; it blocks your view. People with a disability that limits walking can apply with their physician for temporary or permanent privileges.

Electric vehicle charging spaces: it is illegal to park in a charging space unless the vehicle is connected to the charging equipment, whether or not it is electric.

Loads and towing

• When towing a boat, trailer or camper, follow the manufacturer's requirements, state law and federal standards on weight limits, vehicle restrictions, tow cables and taillight hookups, service brakes, and licensing and documents.
• Secure your load. Driving with an unsecured load is illegal and extremely dangerous. Tie everything down with rope, netting or straps, tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer, and carry only what you can secure safely.
• An animal transported outside the vehicle, such as in a truck bed, must have a protective harness or enclosure so it cannot jump or fall out. Transporting animals in a way that endangers them or the public is a misdemeanor.
• A pet loose in the car or on the driver's lap is a distraction, and any activity that takes your focus off driving is illegal.