Where you can't park

By the ChowChow Labs editorial team · Updated November 13, 2026 · How we check our content

Short answer: Parking limits keep sight lines, crossings and emergency access clear.

Key points

• Not within 5 m of a fire hydrant (measured from the curb point nearest it if it's set back).
• Not within 5 m of a stop or yield sign.
• Not within 5 m of the nearest side of a marked crosswalk, and never on a crosswalk.
• Not within 1.5 m of access to a driveway, garage or private road.
• Not in an intersection, on a sidewalk or on a bridge.
• Check mirrors and blind spot before opening your door.

Law or advice?

The distances are law. Using your far hand to open the door so you turn and look back is good practice.

Example

A space ends 2 m before a marked crosswalk. It's too close, so you find another space.

Checked against the Government of Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), used under the Open Government Licence – Alberta. Laws change, so check alberta.ca for the current rules before you rely on a number. Sources: Alberta Driver’s Guide, page 55: Do not park here.

Check yourself

Try these 6 questions from our free mock exams, then tap Show answer. For more, take the rules of the road practice test.

1. Question 1 · Parking

   You park facing uphill on a road with no curb. Which way should you turn your wheels?

   1. A. Right, toward the edge of the road
   2. B. Left, toward the centre of the road
   3. C. Straight ahead with the brake set
   4. D. It does not matter on a rural road

   Show answer

   Answer: A. Right, toward the edge of the road

   With no curb, turn the wheels right so a rolling car goes off the road.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 55: No curb hill parkingReviewed October 2026Report an error

2. Question 2 · Parking

   You park facing downhill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

   1. A. Away from the curb
   2. B. Straight
   3. C. Toward the curb
   4. D. It does not matter

   Show answer

   Answer: C. Toward the curb

   Facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb so a rolling car goes into the curb.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 55: Downhill right curbReviewed October 2026Report an error

3. Question 3 · Parking

   You park facing uphill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

   1. A. Straight ahead
   2. B. Toward the curb, then reverse
   3. C. Away from the curb
   4. D. Toward the curb

   Show answer

   Answer: C. Away from the curb

   Facing uphill with a curb, turn the wheels left so the tire catches the curb if the car rolls back.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 55: Uphill right curbReviewed October 2026Report an error

4. Question 4 · Parking

   How close may you park to a driveway?

   1. A. No closer than 1.5 metres
   2. B. No closer than 5 metres
   3. C. No closer than 0.5 metres
   4. D. Right up to the edge

   Show answer

   Answer: A. No closer than 1.5 metres

   Do not park within 1.5 metres of access to a garage, private roadway or driveway.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 55: Driveway access clearanceReviewed October 2026Report an error

5. Question 5 · Parking

   How close to a stop sign may you park?

   1. A. No closer than 5 metres
   2. B. No closer than 2 metres
   3. C. No closer than 15 metres
   4. D. No closer than 1.5 metres

   Show answer

   Answer: A. No closer than 5 metres

   Do not park within 5 metres of a stop sign or yield sign.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 56: Stop sign parking clearanceReviewed October 2026Report an error

6. Question 6 · Parking

   How close to a marked crosswalk may you park?

   1. A. No closer than 1 metre from its nearest side
   2. B. Right up to the edge of the crosswalk lines
   3. C. No closer than 5 metres from its nearest side
   4. D. No closer than 50 metres from either side

   Show answer

   Answer: C. No closer than 5 metres from its nearest side

   Do not park within 5 metres of the nearest side of a marked crosswalk.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 56: Marked crosswalk parking clearanceReviewed October 2026Report an error

Next: Space, scanning and following distance. Most crashes are avoided by seeing problems early and having room to react.