Parking Rules

Most no-parking zones share one number — 5 metres. A few exceptions need separate memorizing.

  • Keep 5 m clear of a fire hydrant, a stop/yield sign, the near side of a crosswalk, or an intersection edge (marked/metered spots excepted)
  • Keep 1.5 m clear of a driveway or garage entrance
  • Parking temporarily on a rural roadside, make sure you can be seen for 60 m in both directions
  • Parallel parking: wheels no more than 50 cm from the curb; leave about 1 m of space before backing in
  • Perpendicular parking: close to about 2 m from the vehicle on your right; angle parking: close to about 1.5 m from the vehicle ahead, at roughly 45° (perpendicular stalls are 90°)
  • Hill parking, which way to turn the wheels: uphill with a curb → turn away from the curb; uphill with no curb, or downhill (curb or not) → turn toward the curb or shoulder

Fire hydrants, yield/stop signs, and crosswalks all carry the same 5-metre no-parking zone.

Uphill + curb → turn away from curb
Downhill, or uphill with no curb → turn toward curb/shoulder

Rule of thumb: a curb uphill means away; no curb (or downhill) means toward.

Knowledge points and examples

Parallel or angle parking and safe entry to or departure from a parking space

When parallel parking, wheels closest to the curb must be within:

When parallel parking, the wheels closest to the curb must be within 50 centimetres.

Before leaving a parallel parking space on the right:

Shoulder check to the left before leaving a parallel parking space.

Practise this topic · Parking and stopping

Where parking is prohibited, required clearances, and accessible or curbside restrictions

Parking in a designated disabled space is permitted:

Only with a valid disability parking placard or licence plate.

Minimum distance from a fire hydrant to park:

Park at least 5 metres from a fire hydrant.

Practise this topic · Parking and stopping

Wheel direction and vehicle securement on grades and level roads

When parking on a hill with no curb, which way should you turn your wheels?

With no curb, always turn wheels toward the shoulder/ditch so the car rolls off the road if brakes fail.

To help prevent a parked vehicle from rolling away on a hill, what should you do in addition to turning your front wheels correctly?

To help prevent a parked vehicle from rolling down a hill, always set the parking brake and place the transmission in park (for an automatic transmission) or low gear (for a manual transmission).

Practise this topic · Parking and stopping

Check your understanding

Choose an answer to see feedback. These short checks are separate from your practice statistics.

How far from the near side of a crosswalk must you stay clear when parking?
Parked facing uphill with a curb present, which way should the front wheels point?
Parallel parking — the wheels must be no more than how far from the curb?
How far from a garage or driveway entrance must you stay clear when parking?
For angle parking, how close to the curb should the wheels end up?

Sources and updates

Adapted from the AB Driver’s Guide study project, with illustrations and checks. The French translation is a study aid. Refer to Alberta’s official guide and current topic pages for the rules; local signs can set different requirements.

Integration and linked-source review: