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California Car / Permit practice

Parking & Stopping

Legal and illegal parking, colored curbs, distances from hydrants and crossings, and how to park safely on hills.

Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · July 7, 2026

11 questions · pass with 9 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.

Study questions with answers

11 sample Parking & Stopping questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

  1. 1. You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?

    Correct answer: 15 feet

    You may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant so that fire crews can reach it in an emergency.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Parking

  2. 2. Under California's "daylighting" law, you generally may not stop or park within 20 feet of:

    Correct answer: The approach side of a crosswalk

    To make pedestrians easier to see, you may not park within 20 feet of the approach (vehicle) side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk — even where the curb is not painted red. The distance is 15 feet where a curb extension is present.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Parking / Daylighting Law

  3. 3. You may not park within how many feet of a sidewalk wheelchair ramp for disabled persons?

    Correct answer: 3 feet

    You may not park within three feet of a sidewalk ramp built for disabled persons, so the ramp stays clear and usable.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Illegal Parking

  4. 4. When you park facing downhill next to a curb, you should turn your front wheels:

    Correct answer: Toward the curb

    Facing downhill, turn your front wheels toward the curb and set the parking brake. If the car rolls, the curb will stop it.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Parking on Hills

  5. 5. A yellow-painted curb means you may stop only long enough to:

    Correct answer: Load or unload passengers or freight

    A yellow curb marks a loading zone. Stop only long enough to load or unload passengers or freight, and follow any posted time limits.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Colored Curbs

  6. 6. A blue-painted curb is reserved for:

    Correct answer: Parking for people with disabilities who have a placard

    A blue curb is for parking by a person with a disability who has a valid disabled-person placard or license plate.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Colored Curbs

  7. 7. A red-painted curb means:

    Correct answer: No stopping, standing, or parking

    A red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking at any time (buses may stop at a red zone marked for them).

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Colored Curbs

  8. 8. A green-painted curb means you may park there:

    Correct answer: For a limited time, as posted

    A green curb means you may park for a limited time, which is posted on a sign or painted on the curb itself.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Colored Curbs

  9. 9. A vehicle left stopped, parked, or standing on a freeway for more than how many hours may be removed?

    Correct answer: 4 hours

    Leaving a vehicle sitting on a freeway shoulder for beyond four hours gives authorities grounds to have it towed away.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Illegal Parking

  10. 10. When you parallel park, your tires should be within how far of the curb?

    Correct answer: 18 inches

    When you parallel park, your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb so your vehicle does not stick out into traffic.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Parking

  11. 11. When you park facing uphill next to a curb, you should turn your front wheels:

    Correct answer: Away from the curb

    Facing uphill with a curb, turn your wheels away from the curb and let the car roll back slightly so a rear tire rests against the curb. Set the parking brake.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Parking on Hills

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Every California question is written from the official California driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free