Tags show the kind of rule and whether it’s a written-test point or matters on the drive test (our tagging). Each rule links to its official source.
Every New York road test includes parallel parking. You also need to know the no-parking places and what each of the NO PARKING, NO STANDING and NO STOPPING signs allows.
California differs: California’s drive test doesn’t score parallel parking; New York’s always includes it. California rule
DMV process Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Backup cameras, parking sensors and self-parking features can help, but check behind the car yourself before you back up: you, not the car, are responsible for driving safely.
Safety advice Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Parallel parking, step 1: pick a space on your side big enough for your car, check mirrors, signal, and stop beside the car in front of the space, about 2 feet from it.
Driving technique Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Step 2: look over both shoulders, then reverse slowly with the wheel turned fully toward the curb, watching through the rear window, not the mirrors, and glancing ahead to avoid the car in front.
Driving technique Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Step 3: when your front wheels are even with the back bumper of the car ahead, turn the wheel the other way while backing. Clear that car and stop before touching the one behind.
Driving technique Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Step 4: straighten the wheels and pull forward, leaving room for the cars ahead and behind. When you’re done, your wheels must be no more than 1 foot (12 inches) from the curb.
California differs: California allows up to 18 inches; New York allows only 12. California rule
Law Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1203
To get closer to the curb, rock forward and back, turning the wheel toward the curb and then quickly straightening it.
Driving technique Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Once parked, don’t open the door on the traffic side if it would get in the way of cyclists or other traffic.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
On a hill: set the parking brake, shift to Park (first gear in a manual), and turn the front wheels toward the curb or roadside so the car can’t roll into traffic.
California differs: California teaches three cases, including wheels away from the curb when facing uphill. New York’s manual gives only this one rule: toward the curb or roadside. California rule
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1210
Leaving a parallel space: straighten the wheels, back up close to the car behind you, then turn the wheels away from the curb.
Driving technique Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Before pulling out, look over your right shoulder through the rear window, use the inside mirror, signal, and check your side mirrors for cars, cyclists, skaters and other road users.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Then look over your left shoulder through the rear window, creep forward so you clear the car ahead, look over your left shoulder again, and enter the lane only when it’s safe.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
A NO PARKING sign still lets you stop briefly to load or unload goods or passengers.
California differs: The New York manual has no curb-color code like California’s red, white, yellow, green and blue curbs; it relies on NO PARKING, NO STANDING and NO STOPPING signs. California rule
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
A NO STANDING sign lets you stop only briefly to pick up or drop off passengers, and the driver may not get out of the car.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Under a NO STOPPING sign you may stop only when a sign, signal or officer requires it, or to avoid hitting other traffic.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant you may not park, stand or stop, unless a licensed driver stays in the car to move it in an emergency.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1202
No parking, standing or stopping: double-parked, on a sidewalk or crosswalk, in an intersection (unless signs or meters allow), on railroad tracks, on bridges or in tunnels, or by road work that you’d block.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1202
Don’t park, stand or stop within 30 feet of a pedestrian safety area (an island set aside for people on foot), unless a different distance is marked.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1202
No parking or standing in front of a driveway, within 20 feet of an intersection’s crosswalk, or beside a curb that’s cut or lowered for sidewalk access.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1202
Don’t park or stand within 30 feet of a traffic light, a STOP sign or a YIELD sign.
California differs: California’s handbook has no parking distance from traffic lights or STOP and YIELD signs; the closest California rule (AB 413, 2024) is no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk on the side traffic approaches from (15 feet with a curb extension), so this one is new for drivers coming from California.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1202
Keep at least 20 feet from a fire station driveway when parking or standing, and 75 feet if you’re on the opposite side of the street.
California differs: California’s distance is 15 feet, with no opposite-side rule. California rule
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1202
Don’t park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1202
Use a space reserved for people with disabilities only with a disability permit or plates and only while their holder is in the vehicle. Never park in the striped aisle beside it.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
These rules cover reserved street spaces and shopping centers with 5+ stores and 20+ off-street spaces. Shopping-center fines, unless a town sets more: $50–$75, then $75–$150 for a second within 2 years in the same town, plus $30.
Law NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking
Lying on a disability-plate application is a misdemeanor with mandatory license revocation; false information for a disability parking permit brings civil penalties of $250 to $1,000 plus a surcharge, for the applicant and certifying doctor.
Law NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 7: Parallel Parking