Parking rules and distances

Key points

1. If there is a curb, park as close as you can but no more than 12 inches away.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “If the street you are on has a curb, park as close to it as you can, but no more than 12 inches away.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 52

2. When you must park on the roadway, use four-way flashers and make sure your vehicle can be seen 500 feet in both directions.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “When you must park on the roadway, use your four-way flashers and give enough room to passing vehicles. Make sure your vehicle can be seen at least 500 feet in both directions.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 52

3. Never stop, stand or park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. • Within an intersection. • Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 53

4. Never stop or park within 30 feet of a flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic control device at the roadside.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “Within 30 feet of any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic control device located at the side of a roadway.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 53

5. Never stop or park within 20 feet of a fire station driveway.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “Within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to a fire station.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 53

6. Never stop or park within 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “Within 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 53

7. Do not double park on the roadway side of a vehicle already parked at the curb.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “On the roadway side of a vehicle already stopped or parked along the edge or curb of the street (double parking).”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 53

8. A vehicle in a disabled parking space must display a disabled person or disabled veteran plate or placard.

   Source: Handbook p. 92

   “The vehicle being parked must display a disabled person or disabled veteran registration plate/parking placard.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 92

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Pennsylvania practice test

1. 1. Which location is listed as one where a Pennsylvania driver may not stop, stand, or park?

   1. Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
   2. Within 50 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
   3. Within 5 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
   4. Only on a crosswalk when pedestrians are present
   Show answer

   Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Pennsylvania lists the area within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection among places where a driver may not stop, stand, or park, except in an emergency or when directed by a police officer. The five-foot and 50-foot options change the stated distance, while the pedestrians-present answer narrows the rule to the painted crossing itself. As you approach an intersection, keep the crosswalk and its approach clear so pedestrians remain visible and vehicles can turn safely. Remember that this restriction is measured from the crosswalk at an intersection.

2. 2. What general instruction applies to the places Pennsylvania lists as prohibited stopping, standing, or parking locations?

   1. Stop there briefly whenever hazard lights are on
   2. Never stop, stand, or park there except in an emergency or when directed by a police officer
   3. Park there if the vehicle is attended
   4. Use those locations only after midnight
   Show answer

   Never stop, stand, or park there except in an emergency or when directed by a police officer. Pennsylvania begins its list of prohibited stopping, standing, and parking locations with an important exception. A driver must not use those places unless there is an emergency or a police officer tells the driver to do so. Hazard lights, an attended vehicle, or the time of day does not create a general permission to stop there. Apply the rule before considering the individual location, such as a hydrant, intersection, or crosswalk. This keeps the driver from treating a short pause as automatically lawful.

3. 3. What must a vehicle parked in a Pennsylvania space reserved for people with disabilities display?

   1. A handwritten note from the passenger
   2. An authorized registration plate or parking placard
   3. Only the vehicle's hazard lights
   4. A temporary permit from any neighboring state
   Show answer

   An authorized registration plate or parking placard. Pennsylvania's reserved-parking sign identifies spaces that require an authorized registration plate or parking placard. Hazard lights, a handwritten note, or an unrelated temporary document do not establish the authorization described by the manual. The restriction protects access for people who have been issued the appropriate credential, so briefly stopping without one is not made acceptable by convenience. At a marked accessible space, look for the required plate or placard before leaving the vehicle there.

Source: the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3: Learning to Drive. 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.