Parking & Stopping

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