Category: Transportation

Parking Lots, Street Parking & Parking Garages

Finding a parking space is only one part of parking safely. You also need to understand signs, position the vehicle correctly, protect pedestrians, remember where you parked, and know how to pay or leave the area.

Parking rules vary by state, city, property, and type of facility. A space that is legal during the day may become restricted overnight. A garage may charge by the hour, while a street space may require a meter, permit, or parking app.

Taking a few moments to check the space and surrounding signs can help you avoid tickets, towing, vehicle damage, and unsafe situations.

Plan for Parking Before You Leave

Before driving to an unfamiliar destination, look for:

• On-site parking
• Nearby public parking lots
• Parking garages
• Street parking
• Parking rates
• Time limits
• Permit requirements
• Accessible parking
• Vehicle-height limits
• Event pricing
• Overnight restrictions
• Electric-vehicle charging
• The distance between parking and your destination

Parking may add time and expense to the trip. Build both into your plan.

If you must arrive at a specific time, allow extra time to:

• Find a space
• Read the signs
• Pay
• Walk to the destination
• Locate the correct entrance
• Handle a full lot or garage

Choose the Safest Available Space

When possible, choose a space that is:

• Legal
• Well lit
• Clearly marked
• Large enough for the vehicle
• Away from blind corners
• Close to a pedestrian walkway
• Free of debris
• Easy to enter and leave
• Appropriate for your mobility needs

Avoid parking:

• Beside vehicles that are over the lines
• Near shopping carts or loose objects
• In areas with broken glass
• Beneath damaged trees
• Near deep water or ice
• Where your vehicle will block traffic
• Where you feel unsafe

The closest space is not always the best space.

Slow Down in Parking Areas

Parking lots and garages contain vehicles and pedestrians moving in many directions.

Drive slowly and watch for:

• People walking between vehicles
• Children
• Shopping carts
• Bicycles
• Mobility devices
• Vehicles backing up
• Drivers turning suddenly
• Delivery vehicles
• Speed bumps
• Stop signs
• One-way aisles
• Low ceilings
• Concrete columns

Do not use your phone while searching for a space. Stop in a safe location if you need to check directions or parking information.

Follow Parking-Lot Signs and Markings

A privately owned parking lot may still have enforceable traffic and parking rules.

Look for:

• Stop signs
• Yield signs
• One-way arrows
• Speed limits
• Reserved spaces
• Loading zones
• Fire lanes
• Pickup areas
• Pedestrian crossings
• Tow-away warnings
• Permit requirements
• Time limits

Do not drive diagonally across empty parking spaces. Follow the marked aisles so other drivers can predict your movement.

Pulling Into a Parking Space

To park in a standard space:

1. Slow down.
2. Signal your intention.
3. Check for pedestrians and nearby vehicles.
4. Allow enough room for the turn.
5. Enter the space slowly.
6. Straighten the wheels.
7. Center the vehicle between the lines.
8. Stop before the curb, wall, or vehicle ahead.
9. Shift into park.
10. Set the parking brake when appropriate.

Check both sides before opening a door. Make sure you and your passengers have enough room to exit without striking another vehicle.

If the vehicle is crooked or over a line, correct it before leaving.

Backing Into a Space

Backing into a space can make it easier to leave by moving forward. However, it should be done only when it is permitted and you can complete the maneuver safely.

Before backing:

• Signal.
• Check mirrors.
• Check blind spots.
• Look behind the vehicle.
• Watch for pedestrians.
• Move slowly.
• Stop if someone enters the area.

Use a backup camera as an additional tool, not as your only source of information.

Do not back into a space if signs prohibit it, the area is crowded, or you are not confident you can complete the maneuver safely.

Backing Out of a Space

Before entering the vehicle, look around it for:

• Children
• Pedestrians
• Shopping carts
• Animals
• Low objects
• Other vehicles
• New damage

After starting:

1. Check the backup camera.
2. Check all mirrors.
3. Look over both shoulders.
4. Confirm that passengers are secured.
5. Back slowly.
6. Continue scanning in every direction.
7. Stop if your view becomes blocked.
8. Yield to pedestrians and moving traffic.

A backup camera cannot show every blind spot. Larger vehicles parked beside you may block your view until part of your vehicle enters the aisle.

When possible, have a trusted passenger guide you from a safe, visible location. Agree on clear signals before moving.

Parking Beside Large Vehicles

Vans, trucks, and SUVs may block your view while you enter or leave a space.

If possible:

• Choose a space with better visibility.
• Back out very slowly.
• Pause before entering the driving aisle.
• Look for reflections in nearby windows or vehicles.
• Listen for approaching traffic.
• Keep checking for pedestrians.

Do not depend on another driver to stop simply because you are already backing out.

Walking Through a Parking Lot

After leaving the vehicle:

• Use designated walkways.
• Watch for reverse lights.
• Listen for engines.
• Avoid walking directly behind running vehicles.
• Keep children close.
• Put your phone away.
• Remain visible.
• Cross driving aisles carefully.
• Watch for electric vehicles, which may be quiet.

When returning, have your keys ready before reaching the vehicle. Avoid standing beside the vehicle while searching through bags.

Accessible Parking Spaces

Accessible spaces are reserved for vehicles displaying the required permit, placard, or license plate.

Do not park in an accessible space without authorization, even if:

• You will be there only briefly.
• No other spaces are available.
• The person using the permit is not leaving the vehicle.
• The business appears closed.
• Other drivers are doing it.

The striped area beside an accessible space is an access aisle, not another parking space. It provides room for wheelchair lifts, ramps, mobility devices, and safe entry or exit.

Never block:

• An access aisle
• A curb ramp
• An accessible entrance
• An accessible route
• A van’s lift area

Placard-use rules vary. The person to whom the permit was issued generally must be present and using the parking benefit.

Parking for Electric-Vehicle Charging

A space with a charging station may be reserved for a vehicle that is actively charging.

Before using one, check:

• Whether your vehicle is eligible
• Whether charging is required
• Time limits
• Parking fees
• Charging fees
• Idle fees
• App or account requirements
• Connector compatibility
• Rules for moving the vehicle when charging ends

Do not leave a noncharging vehicle in the space unless signs clearly permit it.

Position the charging cable so it does not create a tripping hazard or block an accessible route.

Street Parking

Street parking requires careful attention to:

• Signs
• Curb markings
• Meters
• Driveways
• Intersections
• Fire hydrants
• Bus stops
• Bicycle lanes
• Street-cleaning rules
• Snow-emergency rules
• Permit zones

Rules may change by:

• Time of day
• Day of the week
• Season
• Weather
• Special event
• Local emergency

Read every sign affecting the space.

Read All Street-Parking Signs

One pole may hold several signs.

For example, a space might:

• Allow two-hour parking during the day
• Require a residential permit overnight
• Prohibit parking during street cleaning
• Become a loading zone during certain hours

Check:

• The arrows
• Days
• Hours
• Dates
• Exceptions
• Permit requirements
• Maximum time
• Payment instructions
• Tow-away warnings

Arrows may show whether a restriction applies before the sign, after it, or in both directions.

If the signs conflict or you cannot understand them, find another space.

Check the Curb

Curb colors may identify restrictions, but their meanings vary by community.

They may indicate:

• No parking
• No stopping
• Loading only
• Passenger pickup
• Accessible parking
• Time-limited parking
• Fire zones

Do not rely on color alone. Look for nearby signs and confirm the local rule.

A faded curb does not necessarily mean the restriction no longer applies.

Common Places You Should Not Park

Local laws vary, but parking is commonly restricted:

• In front of a driveway
• In a crosswalk
• On a sidewalk
• Beside a fire hydrant
• At a bus stop
• In a fire lane
• On railroad tracks
• In an intersection
• In a bicycle lane
• Too close to a stop sign or traffic signal
• In front of a curb ramp
• In a loading zone
• Beside another parked vehicle
• Where signs prohibit parking
• Where the vehicle blocks traffic

Check your state driver’s manual and local parking rules for required distances.

Parking Near a Driveway

Make sure the vehicle does not block any part of the driveway.

Consider:

• The vehicle’s front and rear overhang
• Space needed for another driver to turn
• Whether the driveway serves multiple vehicles
• Whether a curb cut extends beyond the visible opening

Do not assume partial access is enough.

Parallel Parking

Parallel parking places the vehicle alongside the curb between two vehicles or marked boundaries.

A general process is:

1. Find a legal space large enough for the vehicle.
2. Signal.
3. Stop beside the vehicle ahead of the space.
4. Check mirrors, blind spots, pedestrians, and traffic.
5. Reverse slowly while turning toward the curb.
6. Straighten as the vehicle enters the space.
7. Turn away from the curb to bring the front into the space.
8. Center the vehicle.
9. Straighten the wheels as required.
10. Set the parking brake.

The exact reference points vary by vehicle. Practice with a qualified instructor or experienced driver in a low-pressure setting.

If traffic builds behind you, remain calm. Do not rush into another vehicle, the curb, or a pedestrian.

Parking on a Hill

When parking on a hill:

• Shift into park or the correct gear.
• Set the parking brake.
• Position the wheels as required by state law.
• Make sure the vehicle is close enough to the curb.
• Confirm that it will not roll into traffic if the brakes fail.

Wheel-direction rules differ depending on:

• Whether the vehicle faces uphill or downhill
• Whether a curb is present
• Local law

Review your state driver’s manual and practice the correct method.

Parking Meters

A meter may accept:

• Coins
• Debit or credit cards
• Contactless payments
• A mobile app
• A parking account

Before walking away:

• Confirm the space number.
• Check the rate.
• Check the time limit.
• Pay for enough time.
• Confirm the transaction.
• Read whether a receipt must be displayed.
• Set a reminder before time expires.

Payment does not override other restrictions. A meter may accept money even when parking is prohibited during certain hours.

Parking Apps

Some communities use mobile apps for street or public-lot parking.

You may need to enter:

• License-plate number
• Parking-zone number
• Space number
• Payment method
• Expected parking time

Before confirming:

• Verify the zone.
• Verify the plate number.
• Check the rate.
• Review service fees.
• Confirm the session started.
• Save the receipt.

Use only the official app or a payment link listed on the meter or government website. Be cautious of stickers placed over legitimate QR codes, which may lead to fraudulent payment sites.

If possible, type the official address or open the app directly instead of scanning an unfamiliar QR code.

Time Limits

A two-hour space does not necessarily allow you to pay repeatedly and remain all day. Local rules may require the vehicle to leave the block or area after the maximum time.

Check:

• Whether time may be extended
• Whether moving to another space is sufficient
• Whether the rule applies only during certain hours
• Whether enforcement uses license-plate tracking
• Whether a parking session can be renewed through an app

Do not assume that an app’s extension button makes continued parking legal.

Residential Permit Parking

Some neighborhoods reserve street parking for residents or registered visitors.

A permit may need to be:

• Displayed on the windshield
• Attached to the vehicle
• Connected electronically to the license plate
• Registered online for a guest
• Used only within a particular zone

Confirm the correct zone and expiration time. A permit for one neighborhood may not be valid in another.

Street Cleaning and Snow Emergencies

A legal street space may become restricted during:

• Scheduled street cleaning
• Snow removal
• Emergency declarations
• Road maintenance
• Special events
• Construction
• Parades

Check temporary signs and local alerts.

Snow-emergency rules may require:

• Moving the vehicle completely
• Parking on a specific side of the street
• Avoiding designated emergency routes
• Relocating before a stated time

A vehicle may be ticketed or towed even if it was legally parked before the restriction began.

Parking Garages

Before entering a garage, check:

• Hourly or daily rates
• Event pricing
• Maximum charges
• Operating hours
• Vehicle-height limits
• Accepted payment methods
• Lost-ticket fees
• Overnight rules
• Electric-vehicle policies
• Accessible parking availability

If the vehicle has a roof rack, cargo box, bicycle, antenna, or other attachment, include it when considering the height limit.

Do not enter if you are uncertain that the vehicle will fit.

Entering a Parking Garage

A garage may use:

• A paper ticket
• License-plate recognition
• A contactless card
• A parking app
• An attendant
• A reservation code

At the entrance:

1. Slow down.
2. Stop at the machine.
3. Shift into park if necessary.
4. Take the ticket or follow the screen.
5. Wait for the gate to rise completely.
6. Enter slowly.
7. Keep the ticket secure.

Do not follow another vehicle closely through the gate. The barrier may lower between vehicles.

Driving Inside a Garage

Garages often have:

• Narrow lanes
• Tight turns
• Low ceilings
• Concrete columns
• Poor visibility
• Pedestrians
• One-way ramps
• Sharp slopes
• Speed bumps
• Vehicles backing out

Inside the garage:

• Turn on the headlights.
• Drive slowly.
• Follow arrows.
• Stop at signs.
• Watch mirrors and corners.
• Allow extra room.
• Avoid cutting turns too sharply.
• Stay away from pedestrians.
• Do not use your phone.

Listen for horns, engines, tire sounds, and garage announcements.

Choosing a Garage Space

Choose a space that:

• Fits the vehicle
• Allows doors to open
• Does not place the vehicle over a line
• Is not reserved
• Is not beside an access aisle
• Provides adequate height
• Feels reasonably secure
• Is close to a marked pedestrian route

Be careful near columns. A vehicle may fit within the painted lines while the door or mirror remains close to the concrete.

Remember Where You Parked

Before walking away, record:

• Garage name
• Street address
• Floor
• Level color
• Section
• Row
• Space number
• Elevator or stairwell
• Entrance used

You can:

• Take a photograph
• Save the location in a map app
• Send yourself a message
• Write the information on the ticket
• Use a parking-location feature
• Photograph a nearby sign or landmark

Do not rely only on remembering “near the elevator.” A garage may have several elevators that look identical.

Keep the Parking Ticket Safe

Do not leave a garage ticket on the dashboard if it could identify when you entered or be stolen.

Keep it:

• In your wallet
• In a secure bag
• In a designated pocket
• With your event or appointment information

Some garages charge a larger fee for a lost ticket. Others use the vehicle’s license plate to calculate the charge.

Do not bend, wet, or damage a ticket that must be scanned.

Paying in a Garage

Payment may occur:

• At the exit gate
• At a pay station
• Through an app
• At an attendant booth
• Before returning to the vehicle

A “pay before returning to your car” system may give you only a limited time to leave after payment.

Before paying:

• Confirm the ticket belongs to your vehicle.
• Review the amount.
• Check for validation.
• Use an accepted payment method.
• Take the receipt.
• Follow the exit instructions.

A business, hospital, restaurant, or event may validate parking. Ask before paying.

Leaving a Garage

Before driving toward the exit:

• Confirm which exit you need.
• Check the payment instructions.
• Make sure passengers are secured.
• Turn on the headlights.
• Follow signs and arrows.
• Drive slowly.
• Keep the ticket or payment code available.

At the gate:

1. Stop at the machine.
2. Scan the ticket or allow the plate to be read.
3. Pay if required.
4. Wait for the gate to rise completely.
5. Exit promptly but carefully.

If the gate does not open, use the assistance button. Do not back into other vehicles or attempt to drive around the barrier.

Protecting the Vehicle

Before leaving:

• Close all windows.
• Lock every door.
• Close the trunk.
• Take the keys.
• Remove visible valuables.
• Secure charging cables or accessories.
• Take identification and important documents.
• Hide or remove bags before arriving when possible.

Do not store the vehicle title inside the car.

A garage, lot, or valet may limit responsibility for theft or damage. Read posted policies when they matter to your decision.

Personal Safety When Returning

When returning to the vehicle:

• Have your keys ready.
• Remain aware of your surroundings.
• Walk through well-lit areas.
• Avoid looking at your phone.
• Check around and inside the vehicle.
• Enter promptly.
• Lock the doors.
• Leave the area if something feels unsafe.

If you believe someone is following you, do not lead the person to your vehicle. Return to a staffed business, security desk, attendant booth, or other public place and request help.

Parking With Children, Pets, or Dependent Adults

Never leave a child, dependent adult, or animal unattended in a parked vehicle.

Vehicle interiors can become dangerously hot or cold quickly. Leaving the engine running does not make the situation reliably safe.

Before closing the vehicle:

• Check every seat.
• Make sure everyone has exited.
• Confirm that pets are secured.
• Remove necessary mobility or medical equipment.

Create a consistent habit of checking the rear seat after every trip.

Using Valet Parking

Before handing over the vehicle:

• Remove unnecessary keys from the key ring.
• Take valuables.
• Note existing damage.
• Ask about the price.
• Ask about operating hours.
• Keep the claim ticket.
• Confirm where the vehicle will be returned.
• Ask whether payment is cashless.

When the vehicle is returned:

• Walk around it.
• Check for new damage.
• Confirm your belongings are present.
• Report a problem before leaving.

Do not give a valet keys to your home, workplace, or other unrelated locks.

If You Cannot Find Your Vehicle

Stay calm. First confirm:

• The correct lot or garage
• The correct floor
• The correct section
• The correct entrance
• Whether you entered through a different building
• Whether the vehicle could have been moved or towed

Use:

• Photographs
• A saved map location
• The key fob
• Parking receipts
• License-plate information
• Garage staff or security

Do not repeatedly press the alarm button in an isolated area if doing so makes you feel unsafe. Ask security to help you locate the vehicle.

If the Vehicle Is Ticketed

Read the ticket carefully.

Check:

• Plate number
• Location
• Date and time
• Alleged violation
• Payment amount
• Deadline
• Appeal or hearing instructions
• Official payment methods

Photograph:

• The vehicle
• The space
• Signs
• Meter
• Curb
• Ticket
• Any receipt or app confirmation

Do not ignore the ticket. Late fees or other consequences may be added.

Use only the official government payment or appeal system. Verify the web address instead of scanning an unfamiliar code.

If the Vehicle Is Towed

If the vehicle is missing:

1. Confirm where you parked.
2. Check for tow-away signs.
3. Contact the local nonemergency police number or official towing locator.
4. Find out which company has the vehicle.
5. Ask what documents and payment are required.
6. Confirm the location and operating hours.
7. Arrange safe transportation to the facility.

You may need:

• Driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of ownership
• Payment

Be cautious of anyone who contacts you unexpectedly and demands immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.

If the Vehicle Is Damaged

If you find new damage:

• Photograph it.
• Photograph the surrounding area.
• Look for a note.
• Ask for security assistance.
• Request that available camera footage be preserved.
• Record nearby vehicles and witnesses.
• Contact police when appropriate.
• Notify the insurance company.

Do not leave a damaged vehicle in an unsafe condition. Call roadside assistance if a tire, light, mirror, window, or other necessary part prevents safe driving.

If You Damage Another Vehicle

Stop and take responsibility.

Follow state law, which may require you to:

• Locate the owner
• Exchange information
• Leave a written notice
• Contact police
• File a report

Do not leave without providing the legally required information.

Photograph both vehicles and the location. Notify the vehicle owner and your insurance company as required.

Final Thoughts

Parking safely requires attention before, during, and after the vehicle enters the space. Slow down, watch for pedestrians, read every sign, and make sure the vehicle is completely inside a legal space.

When using street parking, check the meter, curb, time limit, permit rules, and temporary restrictions. In a garage, pay attention to height limits, tickets, payment procedures, level numbers, and exit instructions.

Before walking away, lock the vehicle and record where you parked. A few extra minutes can prevent tickets, towing, damage, and a stressful search at the end of the trip.

Related Guides

• Safe Driving Habits for Everyday Travel
• Understanding Basic Road Signs & Traffic Rules
• Planning a Trip Before You Leave
• Estimating Travel Time & Knowing When to Leave
• Understanding Transportation Costs
• Getting Somewhere New
• Keeping Track of Your Belongings
• Paying With Debit Cards, Credit Cards & Cash
• Using Taxis & Rideshare Services
• What to Do When You Lose Your Keys
• What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
• Talking With Customer Service