Texas · Handbook chapter 6 · 3 min read

Chapter 6: Parking, stopping and standing

Where you may not stop, stand or park in Texas, the distances from hydrants, crosswalks, signals and railroad tracks, disabled parking rules, parallel parking and parking on hills.

Why this chapter matters

Parking distances are classic test questions. Learn the list: 15, 20, 30, 50 and 18.

Leaving your vehicle

Turn the engine off, set the parking brake and remove the key. Check for traffic before you open your door. It is illegal to leave a vehicle unattended with the engine running, and on a grade you must turn the front wheels to the curb or side of the road.

Never stop, stand or park

• On the road side of a vehicle already stopped or parked at the curb (double parking).
• On a sidewalk or crosswalk, or within an intersection.
• On a bridge, elevated structure or in a highway tunnel.
• On a railroad track.
• Beside street digging or an obstruction where you would block traffic.
• Where a sign forbids stopping.

Do not park or stand

• In front of a public or private driveway.
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
• Within 30 feet of a flashing signal, STOP sign, YIELD sign or traffic signal at the side of the road.
• Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet of its entrance on the opposite side of the street.

Do not park

• Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
• Where a sign forbids parking.

Outside towns

On a highway outside a business or residential district, park off the pavement if you can. If you cannot, leave room for others to pass, make sure your vehicle can be seen for 200 feet in each direction, and at night use parking lights or low-beam headlights.

Disabled parking

Park in a space for people with disabilities only if your vehicle has a disabled license plate or a state windshield placard, and use a placard only when you are transporting the person it was issued to. Do not block a curb ramp or park in the striped areas beside these spaces; they are for wheelchair lifts. A first offense brings a fine of $500 to $750.

Parallel parking

Signal, stop alongside the car in front of the space about two feet out, and back in slowly with the wheel turned right, then left. Aim to be about six inches from the curb, and never more than 18 inches away.

Parking on hills

• Downhill with a curb: turn the front wheels toward the curb.
• Uphill with a curb: turn the wheels away so the back of the front wheel rests against the curb.
• No curb: turn the wheels to the right, toward the edge of the road.

Other rules

When pulling out, check mirrors, look back for children and signal. It is illegal to coast downhill in neutral.