Last reviewed October 26, 2026
Which way to turn your wheels when parking on a hill
When you park on the right side of the road, there is one rule with one exception. It works the same uphill and downhill, with or without a curb.
The rule to remember
Turn your wheels right, toward the curb or the edge of the road.
Except uphill with a curb: turn them left, away from the curb.
Memory aid: “Up, up and away”: uphill with a curb, turn away from it. Then always set the parking brake and shift into Park.
The three cases
Downhill, with a curb
Turn the wheels right, toward the curb.
If the car rolls forward, the front tire runs into the curb and stops it.
Uphill, with a curb
Turn the wheels left, away from the curb.
If the car rolls back, the back of the front tire catches the curb.
No curb, uphill or downhill
Turn the wheels right, toward the edge of the road.
If the car rolls, it goes off the road, away from traffic.
Diagrams: seen from above, the car facing right with the curb on its right; the front wheels are orange. The dashed arrow shows where the car would roll if the brake failed.
Common questions
How far do I turn the wheels uphill against a curb?
Turn them left, then let the car roll back a few inches until the front tire gently touches the curb. The California Driver’s Handbook gives exactly this step.
What if I park on the left side of a one-way street?
Mirror the rule: turn toward the curb or road edge, now on your left, except uphill with a curb, where you turn away from it, to the right.
Is this on the road test?
It can be. Florida’s driving test information sheet asks you to show or tell the examiner how you would leave the car parked up or down a hill, with or without a curb, and the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual lists starting, stopping, and turning on a hill. See road test rules by state.
Where do these rules come from?
The California Driver’s Handbook, the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual (page 110), and the Texas Driver Handbook (parking on hills) give the same three cases. They also say to set the parking brake and leave the car in Park, or in gear with a manual transmission.
Practice parking
Hills come after the basics. Learn to parallel park in the step-by-step guide, then practice it in the simulator with feedback after every attempt.