How to Park on a Hill
Turning your front wheels the right way when you park on a slope so the car can't roll into traffic if the brakes fail.
Step by step
- Facing downhill (with or without a curb): turn your front wheels toward the curb or the right edge of the road, so the car would roll into the curb, not into traffic.
- Facing uphill with a curb: turn your front wheels away from the curb (to the left), then let the car roll back a few inches until the back of a front tire rests gently against the curb.
- Facing uphill or downhill with no curb: turn your front wheels toward the right edge of the road, so a rolling car heads off the road rather than into traffic.
- Every time: firmly set the parking brake and leave the transmission in park (or in first gear or reverse for a manual).
What examiners look for
That you turn the wheels the correct direction for the slope and curb, leave the car so it would roll away from traffic, and set the parking brake.
Common mistakes
Turning the wheels the wrong way, confusing the uphill and downhill rules, forgetting the parking brake, and not letting an uphill car settle back against the curb.
When you'll use it
Any time you park on a slope, and a common checkpoint on the road test. A simple rule: downhill, wheels point toward the curb; uphill with a curb, wheels point away.
Related maneuvers
Based on state DMV driver manuals and official road-test criteria. Exact requirements vary by state — check your state's driver manual.