INDIANA FIELD GUIDE
Parking & reversing.
Finish the drive with the same care you use on the road.
When parking downhill at a curb, point the wheels toward it. When parking uphill at a curb, point the wheels away from it. If there is no curb, turn the wheels away from the street. Signal before entering traffic from a parking space.
Backing gives you a more limited view than driving forward. Turn to look through the rear window, reverse slowly, and watch in every direction. Do not rely only on the rearview mirror or back into an intersection to turn around.
Keep these in mind.
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in intersections, on crosswalks, on sidewalks, or in front of a driveway.
- The manual also prohibits parking beside yellow curbs, beside another parked vehicle, and in fire lanes.
- The striped access aisle beside an accessible parking space must remain clear even if you have a valid disability placard.
- Before opening a door or backing from an on-street space, look for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Rules and worked examples.
Driving rules below summarize the official manual. Safety recommendations explain its practical guidance; example numbers are not additional legal requirements.
Driving rule
Keep hydrants, crosswalks, and access aisles clear
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, on a crosswalk or sidewalk, in an intersection or fire lane, in front of a driveway, beside a yellow curb, or alongside another parked vehicle. An accessible-space placard never permits parking in its striped access aisle.
Example. A space is ten feet from a hydrant, even though there is no No Parking sign. Choose another space. Do not use the striped aisle beside an accessible parking space while waiting for a passenger.
Why it matters. Emergency access, pedestrian routes, and wheelchair ramps need space even when no one is using them at that moment.
Safety recommendation
Turn the wheels for the slope
When parking downhill at a curb, point the wheels toward the curb. Uphill at a curb, point them away. Without a curb, point them away from the street. Signal and check traffic before pulling out.
Example. You park facing uphill beside a curb. Turn the wheels away from the curb. On the same hill without a curb, turn them away from the street instead.
Why it matters. Wheel direction can help keep a rolling vehicle from traveling into traffic.
Official manual: page 54
Safety recommendation
Reverse slowly and check every direction
Turn your body to look through the back window, back slowly, and continue checking all directions. Do not rely only on the rearview mirror. Never back into an intersection to turn around.
Example. Before reversing from a parking space, check for a child behind the car and for a bicycle approaching along the road. If your view is blocked, pause until you can determine that the path is clear.
Why it matters. Your vehicle blocks parts of your view, and people can enter your path after the first check.