In California, a red curb means no stopping or parking, and white is only for picking up or dropping off passengers. Green is limited-time parking, yellow is for loading, and blue is for disabled parking with a placard or special plate. On a hill, turn your wheels so the car would roll into the curb or off the road, and always set the parking brake.
What do the curb colors mean in California?
Each painted curb color has its own rule, and the handbook lists five. The DMV's sample tests ask about red and blue curbs directly.
| Curb color | What you may do | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Red | No stopping, standing or parking | Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses only |
| White | Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers | No waiting or parking |
| Green | Park for a limited time | The time limit is posted on a sign or painted on the curb |
| Yellow | Load and unload passengers and freight | Do not stay longer than the posted time; drivers of noncommercial vehicles usually must stay with the vehicle |
| Blue | Parking for a disabled person, or someone driving a disabled person | A disabled person placard or special license plate is required |
Curb colors matter on the drive test too. The DMV's drive test scoring criteria list disobeying "curb markings (red, blue, etc.)" as a Critical Driving Error, which fails the test.
Which way do you turn your wheels when parking on a hill?
Turn your wheels so that, if the brakes failed, the car would roll into the curb or away from the middle of the road. Then set the parking brake and leave the car in park, or in gear if it has a manual transmission.
| Situation | Turn the front wheels |
|---|---|
| Downhill, with a curb | Into the curb (to the right, toward the side of the road) |
| Uphill, with a curb | Away from the curb (to the left), then let the car roll back a few inches until the tire gently touches the curb |
| Uphill or downhill, no curb | To the right, so the car would roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail |
| Sloping driveway | So the car will not roll into the street |
A quick way to remember it: on a street, uphill with a curb is the only case where the wheels turn left. Downhill and no-curb parking both turn the wheels right.
Where is parking not allowed in California?
The handbook lists places where you may never park or leave your vehicle, and several come with exact distances. Learn the numbers, because they are easy test questions.
- Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway.
- Within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, or within 15 feet of a crosswalk where there is a curb extension.
- Within 3 feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons, or in front of a curb that gives wheelchair access to a sidewalk.
- In the crosshatched (diagonal lines) area next to a disabled parking space.
- On a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, partly blocking a sidewalk, or in front of a driveway.
- In a space for parking or fueling zero-emission vehicles, unless you drive one.
- In a tunnel or on a bridge, unless signs allow it.
- Between a safety zone and the curb, or double parked.
- Where a NO PARKING sign is posted.
- On the wrong side of the street or on a freeway, except in an emergency, when an officer requires it, or where stopping is allowed.
What does the handbook say about parallel parking?
The handbook's parallel parking method starts with a space at least three feet longer than your car. You pull up about two feet beside the car in front of the space, check your blind spots, and back in at about a 45-degree angle. You finish parallel to the curb and within 18 inches of it.
The drive test checks a related skill: backing. The DMV's scoring criteria ask you to back in a straight line for 3 vehicle lengths. You must stay within 3 feet of the curb and make no more than 1 correction. Backup cameras and self-parking features cannot be used on their own; you must turn your head and look.
Parking is a hands-on skill, so it belongs in the car with a trainer, not in a reading guide. See how Stallion teaches behind the wheel (opens in a new tab), and use your supervised practice hours to repeat it.
Quick answers
Check yourself
Sources
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads (Continued), Parking (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Driving Performance Evaluation scoring criteria (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Sample Class C Written Test 1 (opens in a new tab)
- California DMV: Sample Class C Written Test 3 (opens in a new tab)
Checked: October 5, 2026. Rules and forms can change; recheck the official page before acting.
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