California Car / Permit practice
California Car / Permit: Parking & Stopping practice test
Legal and illegal parking, colored curbs, distances from hydrants and crossings, and how to park safely on hills.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
12 questions · pass with 10 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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Study questions with answers
12 sample Parking & Stopping questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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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.
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. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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).
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. A white-painted curb means you may stop only long enough to:
Correct answer: Pick up or drop off passengers or mail
A white curb means stop only briefly to pick up or drop off passengers or mail. Do not leave your vehicle parked there.
10. 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
11. 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.
12. 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.
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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
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