Parking rules, hills and painted curbs

Key points

1. Disability spaces may be used only by a vehicle with a valid placard or plate, and only when carrying the person it was issued to.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Parking spaces marked with this symbol are only to be used by a vehicle displaying a valid placard or license plate with this symbol, and only when transporting the person who was issued the placard or plate.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 30

2. Parking downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb and set the parking brake.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “When you park on a downhill grade, turn your wheels toward the curb and set your parking brake.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 30

3. Parking uphill with a curb, turn your wheels left and let the car roll back until the right front wheel rests against the curb.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “If you park on an uphill grade, turn your wheels to the left, let your car roll back until the right front wheel rests against the curb and stops.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 30

4. With no curb, turn the wheels right so the car would roll away from the center of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “If there is no curb, turn the wheels to the right so that the car will roll away from the center of the road in the event the brakes fail.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 30

5. Do not park on a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “On a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 31

6. Do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing, or on a bridge or in a tunnel.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. • On a bridge or within a tunnel.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 31

7. Parking on the freeway shoulder is prohibited except in an emergency.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “(parking on the shoulder of the freeway is prohibited, except in case of emergency).”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 33

8. A white curb means stop only to pick up or drop off passengers.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “White You may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 46

9. A yellow curb means stop only to load or unload, and stay with your car.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Yellow You may stop only long enough to load or unload. Stay with your car.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 46

10. When entering the road from an alley or driveway, stop before reaching the sidewalk.

    Source: Handbook p. 37

    “When entering the roadway from an alley or driveway, you must stop before reaching the sidewalk.”
    Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 37

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Arizona practice test

1. 1. What can happen to someone who parks in an Arizona space marked with the international symbol of access without authorization?

   1. It is allowed for up to 15 minutes
   2. It is illegal and may result in a fine
   3. It is allowed with flashers on
   4. Nothing, the spaces are advisory
   Show answer

   It is illegal and may result in a fine. The international symbol of access appears on reserved parking signs, placards and license plates for persons with disabilities. It is illegal for anyone else to park in these spaces and doing so may result in a fine. The spaces and their striped access aisles exist so a person can deploy a lift or open a door fully, and even a brief stop blocks that.

2. 2. When may an Arizona driver park on the shoulder of a freeway?

   1. Only in case of emergency
   2. Whenever traffic is light
   3. To make a phone call
   4. To take a photo
   Show answer

   Only in case of emergency. Parking on the shoulder of the freeway is prohibited except in case of emergency. Stopping and parking on freeways is otherwise limited to specially provided areas such as rest areas. A car on the shoulder invites a high speed crash and blocks the space responders need. If you must stop, get as far right as possible and turn on the hazard lights.

3. 3. What does a white painted curb mean in Arizona?

   1. No stopping at any time
   2. You may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers
   3. Loading zone for trucks
   4. Parking for disabled placard holders
   Show answer

   You may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. A white curb means you may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. The driver stays with the vehicle and moves on as soon as the passenger is in or out. Other curb colors carry their own meanings, and a painted curb overrides general parking rules. Do not leave the vehicle unattended at a white curb even briefly.

Source: the Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 2: Safe Driving Practices. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.