Parking on a Hill: Tips and Tricks

Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser

Knowing how to park on a hill is a crucial skill. You won’t always be able to leave your car on flat ground, after all. Whether you’re preparing for a driving test or navigating steep roads, knowing the right technique prevents your car from rolling away without you.

As long as you turn your wheels the right way, use your parking brake and understand the influence of gravity on your car, you’re all set. Don’t worry about getting it perfect immediately. That’s why we’re here to help!

Why Learn About Hill Parking?

Parking on flat roads doesn't require much thought. But when you’re leaving your car on a hill, you might wonder what steps you should take to secure the vehicle.

If your vehicle isn’t parked properly on an incline or decline, gravity can take over and cause your vehicle to roll. This can lead to accidents, damage or even injuries.

New drivers should learn how to park on a hill. Not knowing how isn’t just a safety issue, but it’s also a skill that’s tested during the driving exam.

Even if you’ve been driving for years, it’s a good skill to revisit, especially if you’re in an area with steeper streets or changing weather.

Getting comfortable with positioning your wheels and using your parking brake (also known as an emergency brake) will help ensure that your automobile stays exactly where you left it, no matter the slope.

The Basics of Hill Parking

Before jumping into the instructions, it helps to understand a few simple ideas.

Direction Matters

Whether your car is pointing uphill or downhill changes everything — especially how you turn your wheels.

The Curb Is Your Friend

Curbs are barriers that can stop your vehicle from rolling. Turning your wheels correctly ensures that, if the automobile moves, the tires will press against the street edge and stop the vehicle from getting away.

Your Emergency Brake Isn’t Optional

A lot of people skip this step. Don’t. The emergency brake holds your vehicle in place while you’re gone!

The Impact of Gravity

Gravity naturally pulls your car downhill. If your brakes fail or aren’t applied correctly, your vehicle will roll in the direction of the slope, which can be dangerous.

Automatic vs. Manual Vehicles

In an automatic car, the park gear helps lock the transmission.

In a manual car, selecting the correct gear (first if facing uphill or reverse while facing downhill) helps prevent rolling.

In both cases, these systems should be used together with the parking brake and not as a replacement for it.

The Main Tip: Turn Your Wheels

If you remember nothing else, remember this: always turn your wheels away from traffic when leaving your automobile on a hill. And, if something goes wrong (such as brake failure), there’s less of a risk of something bad happening.

Here’s an easy way to remember wheel direction:

Uphill with curb: Turn wheels away from the curb.
Downhill without curb: Turn wheels toward the curb.
No curb: Always turn wheels toward the edge of the road.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Different situations call for different methods. Let’s look at what each scenario requires.

Uphill with a Curb

Pull up parallel to the curb and stop your vehicle.
Turn your steering wheel away from the curb.
Slowly release the brake and let the car roll back gently until the back of your front tire touches the curb.
Set the emergency brake.
Shift into park (automatic) or into first gear (manual).
Turn off the engine.

If the automobile rolls, the curb will block the tire and stop movement.

Downhill with a Curb

Pull in close and parallel to the road edge.
Turn your steering wheel toward the road edge.
Slowly let the vehicle roll forward until the front tire rests lightly against the roadside edge.
Activate the emergency brake.
Shift into park (automatic) or reverse gear (manual).
Turn off the engine.

In this case, the curb again functions as a barrier to prevent the car from rolling into the street.

Uphill Without a Curb

Pull over to the side of the road.
Turn your wheels toward the edge of the road (away from traffic).
Set the emergency brake.
Shift into park (automatic) or first gear (manual).
Turn off the engine.

Without a curb, turning your wheels this way ensures the car will roll off the roadway, rather than into traffic, if it moves.

Downhill Without a Curb

Pull over safely to the side of the road.
Turn your wheels toward the edge of the road.
Enable the emergency brake.
Shift into park (automatic) or reverse gear (manual).
Turn off the engine.

This way, if the vehicle moves unexpectedly, it’ll roll away from passing traffic instead of into it.

Watch for These Common Mistakes

Even small errors can make hill parking unsafe. Here’s what to watch for and how to correct it:

Forgetting to Engage the Parking Brake

Ignoring this step makes your car more susceptible to rolling. Always apply it firmly before shifting into “Park” (automatic) or into gear (manual).

Relying Only on the Transmission

The transmission alone isn’t designed to hold your car in place on a hill. Use the parking brake first, then shift into the appropriate gear.

Turning the Wheels the Wrong Direction

Incorrect wheel positioning can cause your car to roll into traffic. Follow the basic rule detailed above.

Being Too Far from the Road Edge

If you’re too far away, the curb won’t stop your vehicle because the vehicle will build up enough momentum to roll over it. Park close (about six to 12 inches) and let the tire lightly touch the pavement edge.

Parking in Challenging Conditions

All hills are different. Sometimes you’ll run into steep driveways, narrow roads or weather that complicates things. In those situations, a few extra precautions can make a big difference.

Navigating Extremely Steep Inclines

Be extra careful on super-steep hills. Pull in slower than usual and don’t rush your setup. Make sure your wheels are turned correctly, your emergency brake is fully engaged and the car is firmly in the appropriate gear.

If anything feels off, such as the car still shifting slightly, reset and try again.

Extra Care for Icy, Snowy or Wet Hills

Weather changes everything. A hill that feels manageable in dry conditions can quickly become slippery when it’s wet, icy or covered in snow.

In these situations, give yourself more space away from traffic and avoid sudden movements. Your tires have less grip, which makes the vehicle more prone to sliding. If conditions look really bad, it’s often smarter to find a flatter spot nearby and completely avoid the hill in the first place.

When (and How) to Use Wheel Chocks

Wheel chocks are simple rubber or metal blocks that you place snugly against your tires to physically prevent the vehicle from moving. Chocks aren’t required for everyday parking. They can be really helpful in situations where you’re handling a heavy vehicle, stopping on an extremely steep driveway or driving in bad weather.

If you’re using them, set your emergency brake first, place the chocks against the downhill side of the tires and then check to make sure everything is secure before leaving your vehicle.

Learn Smarter with SafeMotorist

Ready to take driving to the next level? SafeMotorist has you covered. Explore our easy-to-follow driving guides, practice tips and state-approved courses designed to help you stay safe in any situation — hills included.

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