Florida Parking Rules & Hill Parking
4 min read
Parking rules are a reliable source of exam questions because they involve specific distances and wheel positions that many drivers never think about. Here are the Florida rules you need to know.
Parking on a Hill
When parking on a hill, the direction your front wheels point depends on whether there is a curb and which way the car could roll.
Parking downhill with a curb: turn your front wheels toward the curb. Parking uphill with a curb: turn your front wheels away from the curb and let the car roll back gently until the wheel rests against the curb. Parking uphill or downhill without a curb: turn your front wheels toward the side of the road so the car rolls off the roadway, not into traffic.
Distances You Must Maintain
Florida law specifies minimum distances for parking near hazards. You may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of an intersection, or within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal.
You may not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. Note the distinction: while driving, you must not stop on the railroad tracks or within 15 feet of the crossing, but the parking prohibition is 50 feet. These distances are exact and frequently tested.
| Hazard | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Fire hydrant | 15 feet |
| Intersection | 20 feet |
| Stop sign or traffic signal | 30 feet |
| Railroad crossing (parking) | 50 feet |
Where Parking Is Prohibited
Beyond the distance rules, you may not park in a disabled parking space without the proper permit or plate, in a bicycle lane, on a sidewalk, in an intersection, or in front of a driveway. Double parking, stopping beside a vehicle already parked at the curb, is also prohibited.
When you do park, always set the parking brake, and on a hill, leave the vehicle in gear or in park with the wheels turned correctly. The exam tests the wheel positions and the distance numbers, so review them until they are automatic.