Chapter Seven: Parking, Standing & Stopping

Where may you NOT park, stop, or stand?

• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency

• On the roadway side of a parked vehicle (double parking)

• On a sidewalk or in a crosswalk

• In an intersection, unless permitted

• On railroad tracks

• Where roadwork or an obstruction would cause you to block traffic

• Within 30 feet of a pedestrian safety area, unless another distance is marked

• On a bridge or in a tunnel

Where may you NOT park or stand?

• In front of a driveway

• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection

• Within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign

• Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side

• Within 75 feet of a fire station driveway on the opposite side

• Along a cut/lowered curb for sidewalk access

• Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing

May you park in a disabled parking space if you are not authorized to use it?

No. Only vehicles authorized to use the space may park there.

When may a vehicle with disabled license plates or a disability parking permit use a reserved space?

Only when the person to whom the permit or plates were issued is in the vehicle.

May you park in the striped access aisle next to a disabled parking space?

No. The striped access aisle must remain clear for wheelchair access and vehicles with special equipment.

After parallel parking, how close must your vehicle be to the curb?

No more than 12 inches (1 foot) from the curb.

After parallel parking on a level street, what should you do?

• Straighten the front wheels.

• Leave enough space between your vehicle and the vehicles in front and behind.

Before leaving a parallel parking space, what should you do?

• Check traffic around you.

• Check mirrors and blind spots.

• Signal.

• Look over your shoulder.

• Enter traffic only when it is safe.

May you open the driver's door into traffic?

Only when it is safe and will not interfere with traffic, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

Should you rely only on your mirrors before opening the driver's door?

No. Turn and look for approaching traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians

What does a NO PARKING sign mean?

You may stop temporarily to load or unload passengers or merchandise, but you may not park.

What does a NO STANDING sign mean?

You may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.

What does a NO STOPPING sign mean?

You may stop only when necessary to obey a traffic sign, signal, or officer, or to prevent a conflict with another vehicle.

May you stop to drop off passengers where there is a NO PARKING sign?

Yes

May you stop to drop off passengers where there is a NO STANDING sign?

Yes

May you stop where there is a NO STOPPING sign?

Only when necessary to obey a traffic sign, signal, or officer, or to prevent a conflict with another vehicle.

What is the difference between parking, standing, and stopping?

• Parking: A vehicle is stopped, occupied or not, except temporarily to load or unload passengers or merchandise.

• Standing: Temporarily stopping to pick up or drop off passengers.

• Stopping: Bringing a vehicle to a stop, even temporarily.

What should you do when parking on a hill?

• Set the parking brake.

• Put an automatic transmission in Park (or a manual transmission in 1st gear).

• Turn the wheels toward the curb or side of the road so the vehicle will not roll into traffic.

What should you do to secure your vehicle after parking?

Set the parking brake and put the transmission in Park (or 1st gear with a manual transmission)

May you double park?

No. You may not park, stop, or stand on the roadway side of a parked vehicle.

May you park on a crosswalk?

No. You may not park, stop, or stand in a crosswalk

How far from a fire hydrant may you park, stop, or stand?

At least 15 feet away, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency.

How far from a railroad crossing may you park or stand?

At least 50 feet away.

How far from a crosswalk at an intersection may you park or stand?

At least 20 feet away.

How far from a traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign may you park or stand?

At least 30 feet away

How far from a fire station driveway may you park or stand?

• At least 20 feet away on the same side of the street.

• At least 75 feet away on the opposite side of the street.

What are the key Chapter 7 parking distances?

12 inches → Maximum distance from curb after parallel parking
15 feet → Fire hydrant
20 feet → Crosswalk at an intersection
30 feet → Traffic light, STOP sign, or YIELD sign
20 feet → Fire station driveway, same side
75 feet → Fire station driveway, opposite side
50 feet → Railroad crossing

What is the easiest way to remember NO PARKING, NO STANDING, and NO STOPPING?

NO PARKING → People or goods may be loaded/unloaded.
NO STANDING → Only passengers may be picked up/dropped off; the driver stays in the vehicle.
NO STOPPING → Don't stop, except when required by traffic rules/signals/officers or to avoid a traffic conflict.

When preparing to parallel park, approximately how far should you stop from the vehicle beside you?

About 2 feet from the vehicle in front of the parking space.

When backing into a parallel parking space, where should you look?

Look through the rear window, not just the mirrors. Also check over both shoulders and periodically check the front and sides

Who is responsible for safely backing and parking when the vehicle has a backup camera, sensors, or automatic parking technology?

The driver. Safety technology does not replace checking the area around and behind the vehicle.

At a NO STANDING sign, may the driver leave the vehicle while picking up or dropping off passengers?

No. The driver cannot exit the vehicle.