1.Where you may not park
- Never park on the travelled part of a road. Drive off the road onto the shoulder if you must stop for some reason.
- Never park on a curve, hill or anywhere you do not have a clear view for at least 125 metres in both directions.
- Do not park where you will block a vehicle already parked, or where you will block a sidewalk, crosswalk, pedestrian crossing or road entrance.
- Do not park within three metres of a fire hydrant, on or within 100 metres of a bridge, or within six metres of a public entrance to a hotel, theatre or public hall when it is open to the public.
- Do not park within nine metres of an intersection, or within 15 metres if the intersection is controlled by traffic lights.
- Do not park within 15 metres of the nearest rail of a level railway crossing.
- Do not park where you will get in the way of traffic or snow clearing.
- Never park in a space designated for people with disabilities unless you display an Accessible Parking Permit in the windshield of your vehicle. The permit must belong to you or one of your passengers.
| Where | Rule |
|---|---|
| Fire hydrant | 3 m |
| Bridge | 100 m (and never on the bridge itself) |
| Public entrance to a hotel, theatre or public hall (when open to the public) | 6 m |
| Intersection | 9 m |
| Intersection controlled by traffic lights | 15 m |
| Nearest rail of a level railway crossing | 15 m |
| Curve or hill, or anywhere your view is blocked | Never park; you need a clear view for at least 125 m in both directions |
| Sidewalk, crosswalk, pedestrian crossing or road entrance | Never block it |
| Space designated for people with disabilities | Only with an Accessible Parking Permit displayed in the windshield |
Official source: Parking along roadways ↗
2.No stopping, no standing and no parking
- A "no stopping" sign means you may not stop your vehicle in that area, even for a moment.
- A "no standing" sign means you may not stop your vehicle in that area except while loading or unloading passengers.
- A "no parking" sign means you may not stop your vehicle except to load or unload passengers or merchandise.
- A "parking permitted" sign carries a green circle, which means you may do the activity shown: you may park in the area between the signs during the times posted.
- These signs are used in pairs or groups, and the restriction applies to the area between the signs.
- Parking rules change from road to road and place to place, so always watch for and obey signs that limit stopping, standing or parking. Not all parking by-laws are posted on signs.
Signs in this section
Official source: Signs ↗ · Parking along roadways ↗
3.Parking on a hill
- When parking facing downhill, turn your front wheels towards the curb or right shoulder. This keeps the vehicle from rolling into traffic if the brakes become disengaged.
- When facing uphill with a curb, turn the steering wheel to the left so the wheels point towards the road. The tires will catch the curb if the vehicle rolls backward.
- When facing uphill without a curb, turn the wheels sharply to the right. If the vehicle rolls, it will go off the road rather than into traffic.
- When parking on a hill, always set the parking brake and move the gear selector into park, or shift into first or reverse gear if your vehicle has a manual transmission.
- Then turn off the engine and remove the key, check for traffic before opening the door, and remember to lock your vehicle.
Official source: Parking along roadways ↗
4.Parallel parking and roadside stops
- Parallel parking means parking a vehicle with its wheels parallel and next to the curb or side of the road. Park on the right side of the road in the direction of traffic.
- Park parallel to the curb on roads where parking is allowed, unless there are signs saying that vehicles should be parked at an angle. Unless there are signs saying otherwise, you can parallel park on both sides of a one-way road.
- To parallel park on the right-hand side, find a space about one and one-half times longer than your vehicle, drive alongside the vehicle ahead of the empty space leaving about a metre between the vehicles, and stop when your rear bumper is in line with the other vehicle.
- Reverse slowly and carefully into the space, turning the steering wheel fully toward the curb. When you can see the outside rear corner of the vehicle in front of your space, straighten your wheels as you continue to reverse, then turn the wheel fully toward the road to bring your vehicle in line with the curb.
- When you are properly parked, set the parking brake and move the gear selector into park, or shift into first or reverse gear if your vehicle has a manual transmission. Turn off the engine, remove the key, check traffic before opening your door and lock your vehicle.
- For a roadside stop, steer to the side of the road while steadily reducing speed and stop parallel to the curb or edge of the road, no more than about 30 centimetres away from it. Do not stop where you will block an entrance or other traffic.
- Before moving from a parked position, always signal and check for traffic. Just before pulling away, check your mirrors and blind spot to make sure the way is clear of vehicles and cyclists.
Official source: Parking along roadways ↗
5.Opening doors safely
- Never open the door of your parked vehicle without first making sure that you will not endanger any other person or vehicle or interfere with traffic.
- When parked on the side of the roadway, look behind you and check your mirrors and blind spots for a passing cyclist before opening a door.
- A good practice is the Dutch reach method: open the driver’s door with your right hand, which forces a shoulder check at the same time.
- Take extra precautions to avoid opening a door in the path of cyclists, who often ride close to parked cars.
- When you must open a door next to traffic, keep it open only long enough to load or unload passengers.
- Improper opening of a vehicle door adds 2 demerit points to your record if you are convicted.
Official source: Parking along roadways ↗ · Sharing road other road users ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗
6.Leaving your vehicle
- After parking your vehicle, always turn off the ignition and the lights, remove the key and lock the door to deter theft.
- Do not leave children or animals in the vehicle.
- Set the parking brake and move the gear selector into park, or shift into first or reverse gear if your vehicle has a manual transmission.
- Check traffic before opening your door, and lock your vehicle when you leave it.
- Before moving from a parked position, always signal and check for traffic, pulling out only when it is safe to do so.
Official source: Parking along roadways ↗