Driver’s license knowledge test (Class C) · California DMV
Parking
Questions and answers
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You park facing uphill next to a curb. Which way do you turn your front wheels?
Away from the curb
Turn the wheels away from the curb and let the vehicle roll back a few inches until the wheel gently touches the curb.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
You park facing downhill. Which way do you turn your front wheels?
Into the curb, or right toward the side of the road
Facing downhill, turn the front wheels into the curb so the vehicle cannot roll into traffic.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
You park on a hill where there is no curb. Which way do you turn the wheels?
To the right, whether facing uphill or downhill
Without a curb, turn the wheels right so the vehicle rolls away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
What does a white painted curb mean?
Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers
White is for passenger pick-up and drop-off only.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
What does a green painted curb mean?
Parking for a limited time
Green allows parking for a limited time. The limit is posted on a sign or painted on the curb.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
What does a yellow painted curb mean?
Loading and unloading passengers and freight, no longer than the time posted
Yellow is a loading zone. Drivers of noncommercial vehicles are usually required to stay with the vehicle.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
What does a red painted curb mean?
No stopping, standing, or parking
Red means no stopping, standing, or parking. Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
Who may park at a blue painted curb?
A disabled person, or someone driving one, with a special placard or license plate
Blue is reserved for disabled persons with a placard or special plate.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
How close to a fire hydrant may you park?
No closer than 15 feet
Parking is not allowed within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or fire station driveway.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
How close to a crosswalk without a curb extension may you park?
No closer than 20 feet
Keep 20 feet clear of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, or 15 feet where there is a curb extension.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
When parallel parked, how close to the curb must your vehicle be?
Within 18 inches
A parallel-parked vehicle should be parallel to and within 18 inches of the curb.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
How long should a parallel parking space be?
At least three feet longer than your vehicle
Look for a space at least three feet longer than your vehicle.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
How close to a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons may you park?
No closer than three feet
Never park within three feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
May you park in the crosshatched area next to a disabled parking space?
No, never
The diagonal-lined area is needed for wheelchair access and must stay clear.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
How long may a vehicle be left stopped on a freeway before it may be removed?
More than four hours
A vehicle stopped, parked, or left standing on a freeway for more than four hours may be removed.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
You must make an emergency stop on a freeway. What should you do?
Park completely off the pavement and stay in the vehicle with the doors locked
Get fully off the pavement and wait inside with the doors locked until help arrives.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
May you park in a space reserved for zero-emission vehicle charging if your car is gasoline powered?
No
Spaces for parking or fueling zero-emission vehicles are only for those vehicles.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
What does parallel parking mean?
Parking in line with the road and the other parked vehicles
Parallel parking places your vehicle in line with the road and with the vehicles parked ahead and behind.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
You have found a space to parallel park in. What do you do first?
Turn on your signal to show that you plan to park
Signal as soon as you find the space, and keep the signal on while you line up.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
When you pull up beside the vehicle in front of the space, how much room should you leave between the two vehicles?
About two feet
Stop alongside the vehicle in front of the space with about two feet between you.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
Where should you stop before you start backing into a parallel parking space?
Where your rear bumper lines up with the front of the space
Pull up until your rear bumper is level with the front of the space, then stop.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
Just before backing into a parallel parking space, what should you check?
The rearview mirror and over your shoulder for vehicles and pedestrians
Check your blind spots for approaching vehicles and pedestrians before you back up.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
At about what angle do you back into a parallel parking space?
45 degrees
Turn the steering wheel so the vehicle backs into the space at roughly 45 degrees.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
While backing into a parallel space, when do you begin turning the steering wheel away from the curb?
When your rear wheel is within 18 inches of the curb
Start straightening out once the rear wheel is within 18 inches of the curb.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
You finish parallel parking and your vehicle sits two feet from the curb. Is that acceptable?
No, it should be within 18 inches of the curb
The vehicle should end up parallel to the curb and no more than 18 inches from it.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
Your car is 15 feet long. What is the shortest space you should choose for parallel parking?
18 feet
The space should be at least three feet longer than the vehicle, so 18 feet for a 15-foot car.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
After straightening out in a parallel space, what do you do with the vehicle?
Turn it off and set the parking brake
Once parked, switch the vehicle off and set the parking brake.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
You are about to step out of your parallel parked car. What must you do first?
Look carefully for passing vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles
Look for passing traffic, including bicycles and motorcycles, and get out only when it is safe.
Section 6 · Parallel Parking ↗ -
In straight line backing, how far do you back up?
Three vehicle lengths
Back in a straight line for three vehicle lengths.
Section 6 · Straight Line Backing ↗ -
While backing in a straight line, how close to the curb should you stay?
Within three feet
Stay within three feet of the curb for the whole distance.
Section 6 · Straight Line Backing ↗ -
For straight line backing, when do you use your turn signal?
Before pulling up to the curb, then cancel it once you are there
Signal before you pull up to the curb and cancel the signal when you have done so.
Section 6 · Straight Line Backing ↗ -
How do you keep control while backing in a straight line?
Back at a smooth, safe speed and adjust the steering when needed
A smooth, safe speed and small steering corrections keep the vehicle straight.
Section 6 · Straight Line Backing ↗ -
Why are special steps needed when you park on a hill?
The vehicle could roll if equipment fails
A parked vehicle can roll if equipment fails, so set the parking brake and turn the wheels.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
You park a manual transmission car on a hill. How should you leave it?
In gear, with the parking brake set
Set the parking brake and leave the vehicle in park, or in gear if it has a manual transmission.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
You park on a sloping driveway. What should you do?
Turn the wheels so it cannot roll into the street and set the parking brake
On a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the street, leave it in park, and set the parking brake.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
Facing uphill beside a curb, what do you do after turning the front wheels away from the curb?
Let the vehicle roll back a few inches until the wheel gently touches the curb
Rolling back a few inches rests the wheel gently against the curb.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
In which hill parking situation do you turn the front wheels left, toward the center of the road?
Facing uphill with a curb
Only when facing uphill beside a curb do the wheels turn away from the curb, toward the center of the road.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
Your front wheels are turned into the curb. For which parking situation is that correct?
Facing downhill beside a curb
Wheels turned into the curb are right for downhill parking. Uphill beside a curb, they turn away from it.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
On a hill with no curb you turn the wheels to the right. What is the reason?
The vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail
With the wheels turned right, a rolling vehicle moves away from the center of the road.
Section 6 · Parking on a Hill ↗ -
You want to let a passenger out and drive straight on. Which of these curb colors is meant for that?
White
A white curb allows a stop just long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
How do you find out the time limit at a green curb?
It may be posted on signs or painted on the curb
The limit at a green curb may be shown on signs or painted on the curb itself.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
You stop a noncommercial vehicle at a yellow curb to unload. What is usually required of you?
To stay with your vehicle
Drivers of noncommercial vehicles are usually required to stay with the vehicle at a yellow curb.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
Which vehicles may stop at a red zone?
Buses, where the red zone is marked for buses only
Red means no stopping for other vehicles. Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses only.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
You are driving a disabled relative who has a disabled person placard. May you park at a blue curb?
Yes
Blue is for a disabled person or someone driving a disabled person, with a special placard or special license plate.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
Which curb color means you may park, but only for a limited time?
Green
Green marks limited-time parking.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
At which curb color may you not stop, stand, or park at all?
Red
A red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
Which curb color marks a zone for loading and unloading both passengers and freight?
Yellow
Yellow is the loading zone for passengers and freight, for no longer than the posted time.
Section 6 · Parking at Colored Curbs ↗ -
May you park on an unmarked crosswalk?
No, parking is banned on marked and unmarked crosswalks
A crosswalk does not need painted lines. Parking on it is illegal either way.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
Your parked car would cover part of the sidewalk, but people could still walk past. Is that allowed?
No, even partly blocking a sidewalk is illegal
You may not park on a sidewalk or block any part of it.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
Which of these is an illegal place to leave your vehicle?
In front of a driveway
Parking in front of a driveway is never allowed.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
A section of curb is built to give wheelchair users access to the sidewalk. May you park there?
No, neither on it nor in front of it
Never park on or in front of a curb that provides wheelchair access to a sidewalk.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
You stop two feet from a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons and leave your car. Is that legal?
No, you must be at least three feet away
Parking within three feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons is illegal.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
How is the no-parking area beside a designated disabled parking space marked?
With crosshatched diagonal lines
The area with diagonal lines next to a disabled space must be kept clear.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
When may you park in a tunnel or on a bridge?
Only when signs permit it
Parking in a tunnel or on a bridge is illegal unless signs allow it.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
How close to a fire station driveway may you park?
No closer than 15 feet
The 15-foot rule covers fire station driveways as well as fire hydrants.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
You park 10 feet from a fire hydrant and walk away. Is that legal?
No, you must keep at least 15 feet clear
Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is illegal.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
A crosswalk has a curb extension. How close to it may you park?
No closer than 15 feet
Where a curb extension is present the distance is 15 feet. At other crosswalks it is 20 feet.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
You park 12 feet before a marked crosswalk that has no curb extension. Is that legal?
No, you need at least 20 feet
Without a curb extension, keep 20 feet clear of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
May you park in the space between a safety zone and the curb?
No
Never park or leave your vehicle between a safety zone and the curb.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
Every space on the street is taken. May you double park for a minute to run an errand?
No, double parking is never allowed
Double parking is on the list of places you may never park or leave your vehicle.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
When may you park on the wrong side of the street?
Only in an emergency, when an officer requires it, or where it is specifically permitted
Parking on the wrong side of the street is illegal apart from those three exceptions.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
Which of these is NOT an accepted reason to stop on a freeway?
Checking a map or a message
You may stop on a freeway only in an emergency, when an officer requires it, or where a stop is specifically permitted.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
You leave a broken-down car on a freeway and come back six hours later. What may have happened to it?
It may have been removed, since it stood there more than four hours
A vehicle left on a freeway for more than four hours may be removed.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
You had to stop on a freeway and are parked off the pavement. How long should you stay in the vehicle?
Until help arrives
Stay inside with the doors locked until help arrives.
Section 6 · Illegal Parking ↗ -
Who can reserve parking spaces on public streets for electric vehicle charging?
Local authorities
Local authorities may set aside on-street spaces for electric vehicle charging.
Section 6 · Electric Vehicles ↗ -
Which way of driving improves your fuel efficiency?
Speeding up and slowing down smoothly and holding a steady speed
Smooth changes of speed and a steady pace use less fuel and lower emissions.
Section 6 · Driving Green ↗ -
Which regular upkeep helps you use less fuel and lower emissions?
Inflating the tires, changing the oil, and checking the filters
Properly inflated tires, regular oil changes, and checked filters keep the vehicle efficient.
Section 6 · Driving Green ↗ -
What should you do with extra weight carried in your vehicle to save fuel?
Get rid of it
Removing extra weight helps fuel efficiency.
Section 6 · Driving Green ↗