Parking

Parallel Parking

Parallel parking is when you park in line with the road and other parked vehicles. To parallel park:

1. Find a space. Look for a space at least three feet longer than your vehicle. When you find a space, turn on your signal to show that you plan on parking.

2. Pull up alongside the vehicle in front of the space. Leave about two feet between your vehicle and the vehicle next to you. Stop once your rear bumper is aligned with the front of your parking space. Keep your signal on.

3. Check your blind spots. Look in your rearview mirror and over your shoulder for approaching vehicles and pedestrians.

4. Begin backing up. Turn your steering wheel to back into the space at about a 45-degree angle.

5. Straighten out. Begin turning the steering wheel away from the curb when your rear wheel is within 18 inches of the curb. You may need to pull forward and backward to straighten out. Your vehicle should now be parallel and within 18 inches of the curb.

Turn off your vehicle and set the parking brake. Before you exit your vehicle, look carefully for passing vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles. Exit when safe.

Straight Line Backing

To back up in a straight line:

1. Traffic check. Observe traffic and check appropriate blind spots.
2. Signal. Activate the turn signal before pulling up to the curb. Cancel the turn signal once completed.
3. Check your blind spots. Look in your rearview mirror and over your shoulder for approaching vehicles and pedestrians.
4. Begin backing up. Back in a straight line for three vehicle lengths while remaining within three feet of the curb. Stay aware of what is behind you when backing up.
5. Control. To maintain control of the vehicle, back at a smooth, safe speed and adjust the steering wheel when needed. Practice until you can keep the vehicle straight. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to pull away from the curb.

Parking on a Hill

When you park on a hill, your vehicle could roll due to equipment failure. Remember to set the parking brake and leave the vehicle in park, or in gear for manual transmission. To park:

• On a sloping driveway: Turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the street, leave the vehicle in park and set the parking brake.
• Headed downhill: Turn your front wheels into the curb or right toward the side of the road.
• Headed uphill: Turn your front wheels away from the curb (left-towards the center of the road) and let your vehicle roll back a few inches. The wheel should gently touch the curb.
• Headed either uphill or downhill when there is no curb: Turn the wheels to the right so the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Parking at Colored Curbs

Painted colored curbs have special parking rules.

• White: Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.
• Green: Park for a limited time. The time limit may be posted on signs or painted on the curb.
• Yellow: Load and unload passengers and freight. Do not stop longer than the time posted. If you drive a noncommercial vehicle, you are usually required to stay with your vehicle.
• Red: No stopping, standing, or parking. Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses only.
• Blue: Parking for a disabled person or someone driving a disabled person with a special placard or special license plate.
  • To learn more about disabled parking placards and license plates, visit dmv.ca.gov/disabled-person-parking.

Illegal Parking

Never park or leave your vehicle:

• Where a NO PARKING sign is posted.
• On a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
• On a sidewalk, partially blocking a sidewalk, or in front of a driveway.
• Within three feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons.
• In front of or on a curb that provides wheelchair access to a sidewalk.
• In the crosshatched (diagonal lines) area next to a designated disabled parking space.
• In a space designated for parking or fueling zero-emission vehicles, unless you are driving a zero-emission vehicle.
• In a tunnel or on a bridge, unless permitted by signs.
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or fire station driveway.
• Within 20 feet of an unmarked or marked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of a crosswalk where a curb extension is present.
• Between a safety zone and curb.
• Double parked.
• On the wrong side of the street or on a freeway, except:
  • In an emergency.
  • When a law enforcement officer requires a stop.
  • Where a stop is specifically permitted.

If you must stop on a freeway, park completely off the pavement and stay in your vehicle with the doors locked until help arrives. A vehicle that is stopped, parked, or left standing on a freeway for more than four hours may be removed.

Electric Vehicles

Local authorities can reserve parking spaces on public streets for electric vehicle charging.