Massachusetts Car / Permit practice
Parking & Stopping
Legal and illegal parking, colored curbs, distances from hydrants and crossings, and how to park safely on hills.
Questions reviewed against the official Massachusetts driver handbook · July 7, 2026
13 questions · pass with 10 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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.
1. "Double parking" — stopping in a travel lane beside a row of parked cars — is treated how?
Correct answer: Not allowed
Double parking is not allowed. Stopping in a traffic lane next to parked vehicles blocks the flow of traffic.
2. What is the first-offense fine for parking in a disabled-parking space without proper plates or a placard?
Correct answer: $300
The first-offense fine for parking in an HP-DV space without the proper plates or placard is $300.
3. Parking is prohibited within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
Correct answer: 10 feet
You are prohibited from parking within ten feet of a hydrant or inside a fire lane, so crews can reach it fast.
4. In a business or residential area, how close to the curb must a parked vehicle be?
Correct answer: Within 12 inches of the curb
A parked vehicle can sit no farther than 12 inches from the curb, unless angled parking is permitted there.
5. When you park along a street, how much clear travel path must you leave for other traffic?
Correct answer: At least 12 feet
You must always leave a clear roadway at least 12 feet wide so traffic can pass a parked or stopped vehicle.
6. You may not park within how many feet of an intersection?
Correct answer: 20 feet of an intersection
Parking is prohibited within 20 feet of an intersection, where a stopped vehicle would block sight lines and traffic.
7. When parking on a hill where there is no curb, which way should you turn your wheels?
Correct answer: Toward the edge of the road
With no curb present, angle the front wheels toward the road's edge, so a runaway vehicle rolls off the road instead of into traffic.
8. When parking facing uphill against a curb, which way should you turn your front wheels?
Correct answer: Outward, toward the travel lane
Facing uphill against a curb, turn the wheels outward toward the travel lane, so if the car rolls back the tires catch the curb.
9. In which of these places are you NOT allowed to park?
Correct answer: In a crosswalk or in front of a driveway
Prohibited spots include a crosswalk, the area in front of a driveway, and the space before a handicap-access ramp.
10. When parking facing downhill next to a curb, which way should you turn your front wheels?
Correct answer: Toward the curb
Pointed downhill next to a curb, angle the front wheels toward it, so the curb blocks the car if the brakes let go.
11. When you leave your parked vehicle unattended, what does state law require?
Correct answer: Shut off the engine, set the brake, remove the key, and lock it
You must shut off the motor, apply the parking brake, lock the ignition, take the key, and lock the door.
12. Before pulling away from a curb into traffic, what must you do?
Correct answer: Yield to passing traffic, then signal and merge slowly
Let the vehicles already in the travel lane go by first; then put on your signal and ease slowly out into the flow.
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Every Massachusetts question is written from the official Massachusetts 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