Parking on a Hill

Question:

Which way do you turn your wheels when parking on a hill, uphill or downhilll?

Answer:

Both require a different procedure, see below

Process:

First, make sure you do this safely!!

You are going from a driving lane to a parking lane so first you must:

1. Check right mirror
2. Right indicator
3. Right shoulder check
4. Turn right slowly and ease to the curb

Stop and put the car in neutral with your foot on the brake.  Slowly ease off the brake:

• If your car rolls forward you are downhill, as the car is slowly moving you turn your wheels toward the curb.  Stop and park, with parking brake on.  Car should be 8” away from the curb.

• If the car rolls backward you are uphill, so you turn your front wheels toward the centre of the road.  Stop and park, with parking brake on.  Car should be 8” away from the curb.

Note:  You turn your wheels the same way for downhill with no curb and uphill with no curb as in the above instructions using a curb.

If you are still confused, try it on a side street.  Park your car, make sure no cars are coming and then turn your wheels, put the car in neutral and let it roll.  If front wheels hit the curb, you turned your wheels properly – awesome!!

Reference:

ICBC Handbook “Learn to Drive Smart” pages 58