California DMV · Class C · Based on the 2025 California Driver’s Handbook
California DMV Parking & Curb Colors Practice Test (2026)
Parking questions test curb colors, which way to turn your wheels on a hill, and minimum distances from hydrants, crosswalks, and ramps. The rules to know first: a red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking, and you may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Free practice questions
1When parking facing downhill next to a curb, which way should your front wheels point?
- A To the left, toward the center of the road
- B Away from the curb
- C Toward the curb
- D Straight ahead
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C — Correct. Per the handbook, "Headed downhill: Turn your front wheels into the curb," so if the car rolls, the wheels stop against the curb.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. Turning the wheels left would send the car rolling into traffic, exactly what the handbook wants to prevent.
- B Incorrect. Turning the wheels away from the curb is for parking uphill with a curb; downhill is the opposite.
- D Incorrect. Per the handbook, when parked downhill at a curb, turn the front wheels into the curb; on a hill with no curb, turn them to the right. Straight ahead is wrong in both cases.
Handbook: §6 Parking on a hill
2Can a regular vehicle without a valid disability placard or plate park temporarily in a disabled parking space?
- A Yes, as long as it's for no more than 10 minutes
- B No — without a valid disability placard or plate, the space may not be used
- C Yes, as long as the driver is willing to pay the fine if caught
- D Yes, as long as the hazard lights are on while waiting for someone
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B — Correct. The handbook says disabled parking spaces are only for vehicles displaying a valid disabled person placard or plate; other vehicles may not use them, even temporarily.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. The handbook has no "10-minute exemption"; without a valid placard or plate, you may not use a disabled parking space.
- C Incorrect. Being willing to pay a fine does not make it allowed; eligibility for these spaces is a strict rule.
- D Incorrect. Turning on your hazard lights does not change the space's restricted status; it is still illegal to occupy it.
Handbook: §6 Disabled parking spaces
3When unloading items at a yellow curb, who must remain with the vehicle?
- A The passenger
- B The driver
- C The driver of a non-commercial vehicle
- D The driver of a commercial vehicle
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C — Correct. Per the handbook, a yellow curb is for loading and unloading passengers or freight, and drivers of noncommercial vehicles are usually required to stay with the vehicle.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. The handbook says the driver, not a passenger, must stay with the vehicle.
- B Incorrect. This isn't precise enough: the handbook specifically says drivers of noncommercial vehicles are usually required to stay with the vehicle.
- D Incorrect. Commercial vehicles are the main users of yellow loading zones, and the handbook doesn't require their drivers to stay in the vehicle.
Handbook: §6 Curb colors
Practice all 61 Parking & curbs questions
The full bank has 1,000+ questions across 15 topics, each explained option by option and available in 8 languages beside the original English.
What you need to know
- Red curb: no stopping, standing, or parking (buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses). Blue curb: parking only for a disabled person, or someone driving one, with a special placard or plate. §6
- White curb: stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. Green curb: park for a limited time, posted on a sign or painted on the curb. §6
- Yellow curb: load and unload passengers and freight no longer than the posted time; drivers of noncommercial vehicles usually must stay with the vehicle. §6
- Headed downhill: turn your front wheels into the curb. Headed uphill: turn the wheels away from the curb and let the car roll back gently against it. No curb (uphill or downhill): turn the wheels to the right. §6
- Never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or fire station driveway, or within 3 feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons. §6
- Never park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk (15 feet where there is a curb extension), on a crosswalk or sidewalk, in front of a driveway, or double parked. §6
- To parallel park, find a space at least three feet longer than your vehicle; when done, your vehicle should be parallel and within 18 inches of the curb. §6
- Stop on a freeway only in an emergency; park completely off the pavement and stay inside with doors locked. A vehicle left on a freeway for more than four hours may be removed. §6
Common traps on the test
- Turning the wheels toward the curb when parking uphill — uphill with a curb, the wheels go away from the curb.
- Thinking a white curb is for loading freight — that is yellow; white is only for picking up or dropping off passengers.
- Picking 10 feet for a fire hydrant — the distance in the handbook is 15 feet.
FAQ
What do red curbs mean in California?
A red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking. Buses may stop at a red zone that is marked for buses only.
Which way do you turn your wheels when parking uphill?
With a curb, turn the front wheels away from the curb (toward the center of the road) and let the car roll back so the wheel gently touches the curb. With no curb, turn the wheels to the right.