Parking, Stopping, and Standing Rules
Three Different Acts
Examiners distinguish stopping (halting briefly, even if the driver stays), standing (stopped with the driver present), and parking (leaving the vehicle). Each has different legal restrictions, and questions often hinge on which is which.
Where you may never stop or park includes crosswalks, sidewalks, intersections, railroad crossings, fire hydrants (typically within 15 feet), bus stops, and in front of driveways. Don't block fire lanes, handicap spaces without a permit, or the travel lane of a highway. Stopping is also prohibited on the traffic side of a stopped emergency vehicle responding with lights on.
Parking on hills is a classic test item. Facing downhill with a curb: turn wheels toward the curb. Facing uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb and let the vehicle roll back against the curb. With no curb: turn wheels toward the edge of the road so the vehicle rolls off the road, not into traffic. Always set the parking brake and, when possible, angle the wheels so gravity moves the car away from traffic.
Parallel parking requires signaling, checking mirrors, and pulling alongside the space ahead before reversing at a sharp angle.
Traps to Watch
The uphill/downhill wheel-direction question is the most commonly missed item - memorize the logic: wheels always turn so the car rolls away from traffic. Another trap: assuming you may stop briefly at a hydrant or crosswalk; you may not. Also watch for questions about parking within a certain distance of intersections (commonly 20 feet) and railroad crossings.
Rule of Thumb
Point your wheels so that if the car rolled, it would roll off the road or into the curb, never into traffic.