Washington permit test: parking
General parking rules, perpendicular, angled and parallel parking, hills, disabled and EV charging spaces. 23 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key parking rulesShow the rules
- Do not park within 5 feet of a driveway, alley, or private road. (p. 143)
- Do not park on a crosswalk, sidewalk, or bicycle lane, or in an intersection. (p. 143)
- Do not park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign. (p. 143)
- Don't park more than 12 inches from the curb. (p. 144)
- Always set your parking brake when you park, especially on a hill. (p. 144)
- Do not park within 20 feet of a pedestrian safety zone. (p. 144)
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. (p. 144)
- You may not park facing oncoming traffic. (p. 144)
- Do not park on railroad tracks or within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. (p. 144)
- The striped area next to a disabled space is an access aisle and must be kept clear. (p. 149)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample parking questions
1.You park facing uphill next to a low, rounded curb. Which way might be safer to turn your wheels?
- AToward the curb
- BIt doesn't matter
- CStraight ahead
- DAway from the curb
Show the answer
✓ A. Toward the curb
On hills with lower or rounded curbs, turning toward the curb may be safer, because the car would roll away from the road if the brake failed.
2.You park facing downhill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?
- AIt doesn't matter with the brake set
- BStraight ahead
- CAway from the curb
- DToward the curb
Show the answer
✓ D. Toward the curb
Facing downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb so that if the car rolls, it rolls forward into the curb. Always set the parking brake too.
3.You run into a store and leave your 14-year-old in the car with the engine running. Is this legal?
- AYes, for under 5 minutes
- BYes, if the doors are locked
- CNo, not under 16 with the motor running
- DYes, a 14-year-old may stay alone
Show the answer
✓ C. No, not under 16 with the motor running
It's a crime to leave a child under 16 unattended in a parked vehicle while the motor is running, and a crime to leave a child under 12 unattended at all.
4.You park on a hill on a rural road with no curb. Which way should you turn your wheels?
- AToward the edge of the road
- BToward the center of the road
- CStraight ahead
- DAway from the edge of the road
Show the answer
✓ A. Toward the edge of the road
If there is no curb, turn your wheels toward the edge of the road so that if the car rolls, it rolls away from traffic.