When parking parallel to the curb, you should aim to be about 6 to 12 inches away from the curb. This distance helps ensure your vehicle is safely positioned without obstructing traffic or being too close to the curb, which could risk damage to your tires or wheels. Always check local regulations, as some areas may have specific requirements.
Less than 12 inches.
When parking uphill with a curb, the tires should be turned away from the curb.
When parallel parking, you should aim to be no more than 12 inches (about one foot) away from the curb. Being too far from the curb can obstruct traffic and may lead to a parking violation. It's important to ensure that your vehicle is safely and properly positioned to allow for the smooth flow of traffic.
18 inches
When parking your vehicle parallel to the curb on a level street, your wheels should be facing straight ahead, not turned toward the curb or away from it. This position helps ensure that your vehicle remains secure and minimizes the risk of rolling away. Additionally, it allows for easier access for other vehicles and pedestrians.
12 or less inches
1 ft. (30cm.)
Your vehicle should be no more than 18 inches from the curb.
if you parking uphill you turn your wheel towards the curb and if you parking down hill you turn it away
Left. Or, away from the curb.
Ideally you should be as close as possible to the curb when you finish parking, just to lessen the chances that your car won't accidentally get hit or scraped by cars driving too close to you on the side of the road. However, 12-18 inches is usually a safe distance away from the curb.
From the Calfornia DMV web page on parking: When you park alongside a curb on a level street, the front and back wheels must be parallel and within 18 inches of the curb. Park parallel to the street if there is no curb.