Here’s some advice from the California DMV on how to park safely on steep hills. A fleet driver who learned how to drive growing up in a flatland region – for instance, flat-as-a-pancake Lubbock, Texas – may not have established these driving habits like a driver who grew up in hilly San Francisco. So you may want to pass this advice along to your drivers as a friendly reminder to take extra precautions when parking on a steep incline.

 Parking Downhill With a Curb

  1. Stop your vehicle about 6 to 8 inches from the curb.
  2. Shift to neutral and allow the vehicle to roll forward slowly, controlling speed with the brake.
  3. As the vehicle moves, quickly turn the steering wheel toward the curb.
  4. Stop when the front right wheel touches the curb, or when the wheel is 4 to 6 inches on the shoulder.
  5. Set the parking brake, shift into park, and release the foot brake.
  6. Shut off the engine.

When parking downhill on a street without a curb, turn the wheels clockwise so the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Parking Uphill With a Curb

  1. Stop the vehicle about 6 to 8 inches from the curb.
  2. Shift to neutral and let up a little on the brake. At the same time, turn the steering wheel away from the curb. Allow the vehicle to roll backward slowly, controlling speed with the brake.
  3. Stop when the back part of the front right tire touches the curb.
  4. Set the parking brake, shift to park, and release the foot brake.
  5. Shut off the engine.

When parking uphill on a street without a curb, turn the steering wheel clockwise, so the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

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