Key points
When parallel parking, be 18 inches or less from the curb.
Source: Handbook p. 41
“When parallel parking, your vehicle should be 18 inches or less from the curb.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 41Always set the parking brake and leave the vehicle in park or gear.
Source: Handbook p. 41
“Always set the parking brake. Leave the vehicle in gear if it has a manual transmission or in “park” if it has an automatic transmission.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 41On a hill, turn your wheels sharply away from traffic.
Source: Handbook p. 41
“When parking on a hill, turn the wheels sharply away from traffic to prevent the car from rolling into traffic.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 41Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or 30 feet of a signal, stop or yield sign.
Source: Handbook p. 42
“Within twenty (20) feet of a crosswalk at an intersection Within thirty (30) feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 42Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
Source: Handbook p. 42
“Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant Within fifty (50) feet of a railroad crossing”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 42A red curb means fire zone; a yellow curb means loading zone or other restriction.
Source: Handbook p. 42
“Red curb means fire zone. • Yellow curb means a loading zone or other restriction.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 42Misusing someone else's accessible parking certificate is a Class A misdemeanor, $100.00 to $500 for a first offense.
Source: Handbook p. 14
“The penalty for first (1st) offense is a minimum of $100.00 not to exceed $500.”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 14A second offense is $250.00 to $1000.00 plus a 6 month license suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 14
“The second offense is a minimum of $250.00 not to exceed $1000.00, plus a six (6) month driver’s license suspension”
Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Handbook p. 14
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 18 inches | maximum distance from the curb when parallel parked | Handbook p. 41 |
| 20 feet | from a crosswalk at an intersection | Handbook p. 42 |
| 30 feet | from a traffic signal, stop sign or yield sign | Handbook p. 42 |
| 15 feet | from a fire hydrant | Handbook p. 42 |
| 50 feet | from a railroad crossing | Handbook p. 42 |
| $100.00 to $500 | first offense for misusing an accessible parking certificate | Handbook p. 14 |
| $250.00 to $1000.00 / 6 months | second offense fine and suspension | Handbook p. 14 |
Recognize these signs
Accessible parking
3 questions from the Arkansas practice test
1. How close to the curb must an Arkansas driver parallel park?
- Within 3 feet
- Within 12 inches
- 18 inches or less
- Any distance if the wheels are straight
Show answer
18 inches or less. When parallel parking, your vehicle should be 18 inches or less from the curb. If you park on the roadway, park as far from traffic as possible and as close to the curb as you can. On a hill, turn the wheels sharply away from traffic so the car cannot roll into the lane, and check traffic before opening a street side door.
2. What can happen to someone who illegally uses another person's accessible parking certificate in Arkansas?
- A $10 parking fee
- A verbal warning
- Nothing if the owner gave permission
- A Class A misdemeanor for fraud, with fines from $100 to $500 for a first offense
Show answer
A Class A misdemeanor for fraud, with fines from $100 to $500 for a first offense. Anyone who illegally uses another person's special certificate has committed fraud and can be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor under Arkansas Code 27-15-305. The first offense carries a minimum of $100 and up to $500. A second offense brings $250 to $1,000, a six month license suspension, and liability for towing, impoundment, attorney fees and court costs. The certificate holder must be in the vehicle.
3. What does a second offense of misusing an Arkansas accessible parking certificate bring?
- A $50 fine
- A written warning
- Loss of the vehicle
- A fine of $250 to $1,000 plus a six month license suspension and towing and court costs
Show answer
A fine of $250 to $1,000 plus a six month license suspension and towing and court costs. The second offense of misusing a special certificate is a minimum of $250 and not more than $1,000, plus a six month driver's license suspension, and the owner is liable for towing, impoundment, attorney fees, court costs and related fees. A first offense is $100 to $500. Certificates must be returned to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of moving or in case of death.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with parking questions from the free Arkansas practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Chapter 3: Parking. 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.