Parking rules in the theory test: where not to park, at night and on hills

Do not park within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, near a school entrance, at a bus stop, on a bend or near the brow of a hill (Highway Code rule 243). At night you must not park facing against the traffic flow unless you are in a recognised parking space (rules 238 to 252).

This page sets out the Highway Code parking rules: the places you must never stop, the places you should avoid, what to do when you leave the car, parking at night and parking on a hill. Every rule is from the Highway Code on gov.uk, and each rule number links to our own rule page.

Yellow lines and school markings (rule 238)

Rule 238 says you MUST NOT wait or park on yellow lines during the times shown on nearby time plates, or on zone entry signs in a Controlled Parking Zone. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, even with no upright signs.

You MUST NOT wait, park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers on school entrance markings when upright signs prohibit stopping. Our road markings guide shows the lines themselves.

Where you must not stop or park (rules 240 and 241)

These are legal requirements. Rule 240 says you MUST NOT stop or park on:

• a motorway carriageway, emergency area or hard shoulder, except in an emergency
• a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines
• a clearway, or an urban clearway in its hours of operation (except to pick up or set down passengers)
• taxi bays shown by upright signs and markings
• a road marked with double white lines, even when a broken line is on your side, except to pick up or set down passengers or to load or unload goods
• a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation, or a cycle track
• red lines on a red route, unless signs say otherwise

Rule 241 adds that you MUST NOT park in spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles, unless you are entitled to.

Where you should not stop or park (rule 243)

Rule 243 is advice rather than law. Do not stop or park:

• opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, unless in an authorised space
• near a school entrance
• at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
• on the approach to a level crossing or tramway crossing
• near the brow of a hill or hump bridge, or on a bend
• opposite a traffic island
• where the kerb is lowered for wheelchair users
• in front of an entrance to a property
• anywhere you would stop the emergency services getting through

The rule allows an exception only when stationary traffic forces you to stop.

Rule 244 says you MUST NOT park partly or wholly on the pavement in London or Scotland, with limited exceptions. Elsewhere you should not, unless signs permit it.

When you park at the roadside (rule 239)

Rule 239 says to use off-street car parks or marked bays wherever possible. If you have to stop on the road:

• do not park facing against the traffic flow, and stop as close to the side as you can
• you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights, and you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
• you MUST make sure you do not hit anyone when you open your door; look all around and use your mirrors
• where you can, open the door with the hand on the opposite side, so you turn your head to look over your shoulder
• let passengers, especially children, get out on the kerb side

Parking at night (rules 248 to 251)

• Direction: rule 248 says you MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.
• Lights above 30 mph: rule 249 says all vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or lay-by with a limit greater than 30 mph.
• No lights at 30 mph or less: rule 250 says cars may park without lights on a road with a limit of 30 mph or less if they are at least 10 metres from any junction, close to the kerb and facing the direction of traffic, or in a recognised parking place or lay-by.
• Fog: rule 251 says parking on the road in fog is especially dangerous. If it is unavoidable, leave your parking lights or sidelights on. Our bad weather guide covers fog in full.

Parking on a hill (rule 252)

Rule 252 says to park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly, then:

• Facing uphill: select a forward gear and turn the steering wheel away from the kerb.
• Facing downhill: select reverse gear and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb.
• Automatic: use "park".

Practice questions

These questions are written for this page to test the rules above. They are not DVSA questions.

1. How close to a junction may you park, unless in an authorised space? No closer than 10 metres (32 feet), and not opposite a junction either (rule 243).
2. You park facing downhill next to a kerb. Which gear and which way do you turn the wheel? Reverse gear, with the steering wheel turned towards the kerb (rule 252).
3. Can you park on the zig-zag lines of a pedestrian crossing to drop off a passenger? No. You must not stop or park on a pedestrian crossing or its zig-zag area (rule 240).
4. On a 60 mph road at night you park in a lay-by. What lights must you show? Parking lights, because the limit is greater than 30 mph (rule 249).
5. Before you open your door at the roadside, what must you do? Make sure you will not hit anyone, by looking all around and using your mirrors for cyclists and other traffic (rule 239).

Practise the rules

Parking questions often sit next to reversing and pedestrian crossings in the test. Try the free practice questions to test yourself.

Check what you remember

Start free with the theorytest.ai diagnostic to see whether parking is a weak area. theorytest.ai is independent and is not affiliated with the DVSA. Gov.uk does not publish test questions, so we cannot say how many are about parking.

Frequently asked questions

How far from a junction should you park?

At least 10 metres (32 feet), and not opposite a junction, unless you are in an authorised parking space (rule 243).

Which way should you turn your wheels when parking on a hill?

Facing uphill, turn the wheel away from the kerb and select a forward gear. Facing downhill, turn it towards the kerb and select reverse (rule 252).

Can you park facing the wrong way at night?

No. You must not park on a road at night facing against the traffic flow unless you are in a recognised parking space (rule 248).

Do you need parking lights at night?

Yes on roads with a limit above 30 mph (rule 249). On 30 mph roads a car can park without lights if it is at least 10 metres from a junction, close to the kerb and facing the traffic flow (rule 250).

Can you park on double yellow lines?

No. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, even with no upright signs (rule 238).