Parallel parking and where you cannot park

Key points

1. Start by stopping next to the vehicle in front of the space, about 2 feet away from it.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “Stop next to the vehicle in front of the space and leave about two feet between the other vehicle and your vehicle.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

2. When you finish parallel parking, your wheels must be no more than 1 foot from the curb.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “In your final parking position, your wheels must be no more than one foot (30 cm) from the curb.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

3. On a hill, set the parking brake, put the car in Park, and turn the wheels toward the curb or side of the road.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “After you park on a hill, make sure to set your parking brake. Put the transmission in “Park” (or, if your vehicle has a manual transmission, put the transmission into 1st gear). Turn the wheels toward the curb or side of the road”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

4. NO PARKING lets you stop briefly to load or unload goods or passengers; NO STANDING allows passengers only, and the driver may not get out.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “A NO PARKING sign means you can make a temporary stop to load or discharge merchandise or passengers. A NO STANDING sign means you can make a temporary stop to load or discharge passengers. The driver cannot exit the vehicle.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

5. NO STOPPING means you may stop only to obey a sign, signal or officer, or to avoid a conflict with another vehicle.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “A NO STOPPING sign means you can stop only to obey a traffic sign, signal or officer or to prevent conflicts with other vehicles.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

6. Do not park, stop or stand within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver stays in the vehicle to move it in an emergency.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “You cannot park, stop or stand: Within 15 feet (5 m) of a fire hydrant, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

7. No parking or standing within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or within 30 feet of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “Within 20 feet (6 m) of a crosswalk at an intersection. Within 30 feet (10 m) of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

8. No parking or standing within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side, or within 75 feet on the opposite side.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “Within 20 feet (6 m) of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet (23 m) on the opposite side of the road.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

9. You cannot park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

   Source: Chapter 7

   “You cannot park your vehicle within 50 feet (15 m) of a railroad crossing.”
   New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

10. Use a space reserved for people with disabilities only with a permit or plates, and only when the permit holder is in the vehicle.

    Source: Chapter 7

    “You can park in reserved spaces only if you have a permit or vehicle plates for persons with disabilities and only when the person who received the permit or vehicle plates is in the vehicle.”
    New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New York practice test

1. 1. After parallel parking in New York, how close must the vehicle's wheels be to the curb?

   1. No more than one foot from the curb
   2. At least two feet from the curb
   3. Touching the curb with the front tire
   4. No more than three feet from the curb
   Show answer

   No more than one foot from the curb. The final parallel-parking position must leave the wheels no more than one foot, or 30 centimeters, from the curb. This keeps the vehicle from protruding into moving traffic while avoiding contact with the curb. Three feet is too far away, and touching the curb is not the stated target. Use a final alignment check after pulling forward: straighten the wheels, leave room around both vehicles, and estimate the gap at roughly a foot or less.

2. 2. When parked facing downhill beside a curb in New York, where should the front wheels point?

   1. Away from the curb and into traffic
   2. Straight ahead regardless of the grade
   3. Toward the curb
   4. Toward the center of the road only on a one-way street
   Show answer

   Toward the curb. Facing downhill, turn the front wheels toward the curb so a rolling vehicle would move into the curb rather than into the travel lane. Straight wheels remove that backup protection, and turning outward sends the vehicle toward traffic. The direction is tied to both the slope and the curb, not to whether the road is one-way. Before leaving the car, set the parking brake and position the wheels to help stop unintended movement.

3. 3. In New York, when may a vehicle stop within 15 feet of a fire hydrant?

   1. When hazard lights are on
   2. Never, for any reason
   3. When the hydrant is on the opposite side of the street
   4. Only if a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency
   Show answer

   Only if a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency. You cannot park, stop or stand within 15 feet, about 5 meters, of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency. That exception is the only one, and it requires a licensed driver at the wheel, not just flashing hazard lights. The same list bans double parking, stopping on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, and stopping in an intersection unless signs or meters permit it.

Source: the New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Parallel 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.