California Parking Rules & Regulations
Parking laws in California cover everything from how far to park from a fire hydrant to which direction to turn your wheels on a hill. These rules are consistently tested on the knowledge exam.
Colored Curb Meanings
Red — no stopping, standing, or parking at any time. Yellow — stop only long enough to load or unload passengers or freight; drivers must stay with the vehicle. White — stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. Green — park for the time limit shown. Blue — reserved for disabled persons with a placard or special license plate.
Distance Requirements
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Do not park within 3 feet of a driveway. Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Do not park within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal.
Hill Parking
When parking uphill with a curb, turn your front wheels away from the curb (left). When parking downhill with a curb, turn your front wheels toward the curb (right). When there is no curb uphill or downhill, turn your wheels toward the edge of the road (right). Always set the parking brake and leave the vehicle in gear or in Park.
Key Rules at a Glance
- Red curb: No stopping, standing, or parking
- Blue curb: Disabled persons only
- Distance from fire hydrant: 15 feet minimum
- Hill parking uphill (with curb): Wheels turned left (away from curb)
- Hill parking downhill (with curb): Wheels turned right (toward curb)