Missouri · Handbook chapter 4 · 4 min read

Chapter 4: Parking and highway driving

Missouri parking rules and no-parking zones, accessible parking, parking on hills and parallel parking, plus lane use, speed, passing, being passed, entering and leaving controlled-access highways, highway hypnosis and breakdowns.

Why this chapter matters

A badly parked car is a hazard, and highways bring speed, merging and fatigue. These chapters of the Driver Guide give clear rules the written test likes to check.

Parking

• Park in a designated area when you can, far enough from traffic and visible from both directions.
• On one-way streets you may usually park on either side.
• Set the parking brake and leave the car in gear (manual) or park (automatic).
• Get out on the curb side if you can; have passengers, especially children, do so too. Check for bicyclists before opening a door.
• Never leave the keys in the car, and lock it.

Do not park

• in an intersection, on a crosswalk or sidewalk, or across a driveway;
• on the left side of a two-way street, or facing against traffic;
• along a yellow curb;
• on a bridge;
• blocking a fire hydrant or traffic.

Accessible parking

Spaces with the International Symbol of Access may be used only when the vehicle displays a disability placard or plates and a person with a disability is in the car or being dropped off or picked up. Fines are $50 to $300. Parking in the striped access aisle is also illegal.

Hills

Turn your wheels so the car would roll away from traffic, leave it in the proper gear, set the parking brake, take the keys and check your mirror before getting out.

Parallel parking

Stop even with the car ahead of the space, about 1 1/2 feet to its left. Turn sharply right and back slowly; once clear of the front car, turn sharply left and keep backing; then turn right and pull forward to center the car.

Highway driving

• On a two-lane highway, drive in the right lane. Cross the center line to pass only with no oncoming traffic and no solid yellow line.
• On four or more lanes, keep right except to pass, to let others enter, or to prepare for a legal left turn.
• Use the left lane only to pass. Never pass on the shoulder.
• Check your speedometer often, especially when leaving fast roads.

Passing and blind spots

Check the left lane with your mirrors and a quick look over your left shoulder for blind spots. Do not ride beside or just behind another vehicle. Pass quickly without speeding, and move back only when you can see the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror, after checking over your right shoulder and signaling.

Being passed

Stay in your lane and do not speed up. If many cars pass you on the right in a multi-lane road, you are going slower than traffic and should move right unless turning left soon.

Keeping pace

Crashes often happen when drivers go faster or slower than traffic. If cars pile up behind you, pull over and let them pass. Watch for slow trucks on hills.

Stopping

Never stop on the highway itself. In an emergency, use the shoulder, turn on your flashers, and signal for help by lifting the hood or tying a white cloth to the antenna.

Controlled-access highways

• Entering: use the ramp and acceleration lane to match highway speed, signal and merge into a gap. Do not stop at the end of the lane unless traffic is very heavy. Highway traffic has the right-of-way.
• Leaving: get into the proper lane early, slow down in the deceleration lane, obey the ramp's advisory speed and be ready to stop at the end.
• Missed exit: do not stop, back up or turn around. Go on to the next exit.
• A Diverging Diamond Interchange briefly puts you on the left side of the road.

Fatigue and breakdowns

Highway hypnosis comes from the sameness of the road and the hum of wind, tires and engine. Keep your eyes moving, and pull off if you feel sleepy; a tired driver can be as dangerous as a drunk one.

If you break down, get off the road if possible, turn on flashers, stop where others can see you (not just over a hill or around a curve), place flares behind the car, and never stand in the roadway. The cellular emergency number is \*55.