How to park up and down a hill

This guide shows you the correct steps to park a car safely uphill or downhill, with a curb or without a curb. You’ll also learn why turning the wheels and using the brake matters when a car could roll.

Why hill parking feels scary

Imagine you stop your car on a slope and, for some reason, your foot comes off the brake too soon. Gravity then does what it always does on hills—it tries to roll the car downhill. If the brake or shifting doesn’t hold, the vehicle can start to roll into danger, like traffic or nearby car bumpers.

So the goal is simple: make it much harder for the car to roll the wrong way.

The big idea for parking on a hill

When you park, you’re not only trying to stay stopped. You’re also trying to guide where the car would go if it started moving.

First step before you do anything

Check if there is a curb

Why it’s important: a curb changes the safest direction for your wheel position. If you assume there’s a curb and there isn’t (or vice versa), your wheels could be turned the wrong way—making the roll situation worse.

Think of it like choosing the wrong guardrail.

Quick rules for wheel direction

These rules depend on two things:
1. Are you uphill or downhill?
2. Is there a curb?

These match commonly recommended procedures: curb = use it as a stop, no curb = point away from the road.

How the curb helps stop a rolling car

A curb works like a physical “stopper.” When your wheels are turned correctly, the roll (if it happens) makes the tire press against the curb instead of rolling freely.

• With a curb, the wheels are aimed so the curb can block movement.
• Without a curb, there’s nothing to block the car, so you point the wheels so the car tends to move off the roadway.

Parking on a hill with a curb

Below are the specific steps.

Uphill with a curb

1. Put your car into the parking spot like you normally would.
2. Turn the wheels to the left, toward the road side.
3. Gently allow the car to roll until the tires touch the curb.
4. Put the car in park (automatic) or first gear (manual).
5. Engage the emergency/parking brake.
6. Turn off the car and exit only after you check for traffic.

Downhill with a curb

1. Park your car in the space safely.
2. Turn the wheels to the right, toward the curb.
3. Gently allow the car to roll until the front tires touch the curb.
4. Put the car in park (automatic) or reverse (manual).
5. Engage the emergency/parking brake.
6. Turn off the car and exit after you check for traffic.

Important note on the “gently allow it to roll” step: this is controlled. You’re letting the tires make light contact with the curb so it can help hold the car—without slamming or moving too much.

Parking on a hill without a curb

Without a curb, the “block” isn’t there. That means the primary goal is different.

Primary goal when parking without a curb

Point your front wheels away from the road so that if the car starts to roll, it goes away from traffic.

Uphill without a curb

1. Get the car inside the parking space and make sure you have room to maneuver.
2. Turn the wheels to the right.
3. Put the car in park (automatic) or first gear (manual).
4. Engage the emergency/parking brake.
5. Turn off the car and exit after checking for traffic.

Downhill without a curb

1. Park normally in the space.
2. Turn the wheels to the right.
3. Put the car in park (automatic) or reverse (manual).
4. Engage the emergency/parking brake.
5. Turn off the car and exit after checking for traffic.

After positioning the wheels what to do next

On any hill—with or without a curb—the safest order is:

1. Wheels positioned correctly (so the curb blocks or the road is avoided).
2. Parking brake engaged.
3. Correct gear/position for your transmission:
4. Automatic: Park

5. Manual: the correct gear based on direction

6. Turn off the vehicle

7. Check for traffic before you step out

Why checking for traffic matters

On hills, visibility can be tricky. Another vehicle could appear suddenly when it crests a slope. Also, your car might be angled in a way that limits your view.

So before you exit, take a moment to check what’s coming.

Parking brake and shifting rules

Why it helps to use the parking brake before shifting

Using the brake first can reduce strain on the parking mechanism inside the car (like the parking pawl in automatics). It’s an extra safety layer if something doesn’t hold perfectly.

Automatic vs manual transmission on a hill

Recommended procedure for an automatic transmission

1. Turn wheels correctly.
2. Engage the emergency/parking brake.
3. Shift into P (Park).
4. Turn off the car and exit after checking traffic.

Recommended procedure for a manual transmission

1. Turn wheels correctly.
2. Engage the emergency/parking brake.
3. Shift into:
4. First gear if facing uphill
5. Reverse if facing downhill
6. Turn off the car and exit after checking traffic.

Legal rules in Canadian provinces

Parking laws can differ by place, so it’s smart to follow local rules. Examples noted in Canadian references include:

If you park wrong, the consequences can include a ticket, because the rules are written for safety when cars could roll.

A simple “memory” diagram

Use this picture in your head when you park.

WITH CURB
  Uphill → wheels LEFT → tires touch curb → brake → park
  Downhill → wheels RIGHT → tires touch curb → brake → park

NO CURB
  Uphill → wheels RIGHT → point away from road → brake → park
  Downhill → wheels RIGHT → point away from road → brake → park

Summary you can use every time

Parking on a hill is manageable once you follow the steps every time.