Parking Uphill and Downhill in Ontario: Rules and Safety Tips

If you are an experienced driver or just starting out, you must learn how to park safely uphill and downhill. Besides being an essential skill that can prevent accidents, it’s also a required part of Ontario’s driving licence exams. If you don’t position your wheels sharply in the correct position when hill parking, you risk your vehicle rolling backward or forward into traffic or other parked cars. During your licence exam, the examiner will observe how you handle hill parking and control the vehicle on a slope. In this post, we’ll cover how to park on hills in Ontario, what examiners look for, and key safety tips.

Bear in mind that if you’re considered a high-risk driver, you will find it hard to get car insurance in Ontario at a good price. Many car insurance companies don’t cover high-risk drivers.

How Do You Park Uphill and Downhill in Ontario?

Uphill and downhill parking can be challenging for many drivers, especially when it comes to positioning your wheels and remembering which way to turn them based on the slope. It might be confusing at first, but once you understand the logic behind it, it’ll become very easy for you.

Uphill Parking With a Curb

When parking your car uphill and there’s a curb, you don’t want your car to roll backward into the road if the brakes fail. So, you should use the curb as a barrier by following these steps:

First of all, make sure you park close to the curb to prevent your car from rolling into the road. Be careful not to get too close to other cars or objects ahead of you.
Turn your front wheels to the left, away from the curb.
Ensure that the rear of your front wheels touches the curb by letting your vehicle roll back slowly.
Set your car in park, or first gear if you are driving a manual transmission car.
Engage your parking brake before exiting the vehicle to ensure it stays in place.

Parking Uphill Without a Curb

If there’s no curb where you are parking, follow these steps to park your car safely uphill:

Make sure you’re parked as far to the right as safely possible.
Turn your front wheels sharply to the right, toward the edge of the road.
Shift your car into park if you’re driving an automatic transmission car, and into first gear if you’re driving a manual.
Engage the parking brake before leaving the car.

This parking method ensures your car doesn’t roll into the road if the brakes fail. Instead, the worst-case scenario will be that your vehicle rolls toward the side of the road, where it’s less likely to cause damage.

Parking Downhill With a Curb

The rules for curb downhill parking are slightly different from uphill parking. You don’t want your car to roll forward into traffic if the brakes fail. So, you should follow these steps:

Approach the curb carefully and move close to it.
Turn your front wheels to the right, toward the curb.
Let your car roll forward slowly till your front wheels touch the curb.
Shift into park, or into reverse gear if you’re driving a manual transmission car.

If you position your car this way and your brakes fail, the curb will stop your car from rolling into traffic.

Parking Downhill Without a Curb

Downhill parking without a curb is very similar to parking uphill with a curb; all you need to do is:

Pull over to the right side of the road without blocking traffic.
Turn your front wheels sharply to the right, toward the edge of the road.
Select the “park” position if you’re driving an automatic car, or shift into reverse if you’re driving a manual.
Don’t forget to pull the parking brake before leaving the car.

Tips for Safe Hill Parking in Ontario

If you’re parking on a steep hill or even a gentle slope, it’s important to know the tips for parking safely to avoid damaging property or causing a traffic hazard if your brakes fail.

Follow these tips from our experts to ensure safe hill parking:

Before pulling into a parking spot, check your surroundings and make sure there are no hazards or “no parking” signs nearby.
Turn your wheels in the correct direction, whether you’re facing uphill or downhill, and depending on the availability of a curb.
Use the emergency brake to provide extra protection in case your primary brakes fail.
If you’re parking uphill, select the ‘Park’ position for an automatic car, or shift into first gear if you’re driving a manual. If you’re parking downhill, use ‘Park’ for an automatic as well, but if you’re driving a manual, shift into reverse gear.
Even if you’ve checked the parking spot before pulling over, check again before leaving your car. Ensure your car is angled correctly and that your wheels are turned in the proper direction based on the slope.
Avoid parking on a hill if it’s raining or snowing because slippery surfaces increase the risk of sliding.
If you’re driving at night, visibility will be reduced, so you should be extra cautious when climbing or descending hills. Use your headlights and signals properly, reduce your speed, and stay alert for any unexpected obstacles.

Essential Parking Rules in Ontario for Every Driver

Ontario laws are very strict when it comes to where and how you park your vehicle to make sure that everyone on the road is safe, including drivers and pedestrians.

Here are some basic parking rules that every driver in Ontario should know:

Never park in a bike lane or on a sidewalk.
Don’t park on the travelled side of the road, and ensure that your vehicle is fully parked away from the driving lane and that it’s not obstructing traffic in any way.
Don’t double park or obstruct another parked vehicle, road entrance, or a crosswalk.
Don’t park within 3 meters of a fire hydrant.
Leave at least 10 metres between your car and an intersection, or 15 metres if traffic lights are present.
Park at least 16 metres away from a rail or level railway crossing.
Before opening your car door, check for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
Always check for posted parking signs, as they may include time limits, permit requirements, or seasonal restrictions.
Never leave children or pets unattended in your car, even for a few minutes.
Park in the direction of the oncoming traffic flow.
Always use your parking brake when parking on a hill because it acts as a backup system in case your primary brakes fail.
Don’t park on hills or curves with poor visibility. You must be able to see at least 125 metres in both directions.
Don’t leave your car idling after you park, and make sure to lock your car before leaving it to avoid theft.

If you follow these rules in Ontario, you will not only avoid tickets and penalties but also help keep the road safe for everyone.

Tips for Parking on a Hill Safely in Ontario

Hill parking in Ontario can be tricky, especially if you’re a new driver or if you’re not sure which way to turn your wheels. Sometimes, it can be hard to remember which direction to turn your wheels to or if you even need to turn them at all. A simple mistake can make you fail the licence test, or worse, cause your vehicle to roll into traffic and cause an accident.

Our experts at McDougall offer you these tips that will help you remember how to safely navigate hill parking:

Turn your front wheels to the right in these cases:

If you’re parking uphill without a curb.
If you’re parking downhill with or without a curb.

Only turn your front wheels to the left:

If you’re parking uphill with a curb. This way, the curb will be a stopping point if your brakes fail and your car starts rolling backwards.

Select the proper gear before leaving your car:

For automatic cars, always select “park”.
For manual transmission cars, shift into first gear when uphill and into reverse gear when downhill.

Use your parking brake every time: This adds an extra layer of safety in case your primary brakes fail.

Check your car before leaving: Ensure you parked your vehicle parallel to the curb or the edge of the road, your wheels are turned in the correct direction, and your parking brake is fully engaged.

Avoid hill parking in poor weather: Heavy rain, snow, and ice make hills extra slippery, which increases the risk of your vehicle sliding.

Always check for posted signs like:

No parking signs.
No stopping signs.
No standing signs.
Time-restricted parking signs.
Permit-only parking signs.
Weather conditions signs.

Common Mistakes Drivers Make When Parking On a Hill

Wrong Wheel Position

One of the most common mistakes when parking on a hill is not turning your wheels in the correct position. Always remember to turn your wheels to the left when you’re parking uphill with a curb. In any other case, you should turn your wheels to the right.

Ignoring Posted Signs

Many drivers overlook or can’t see nearby signs, especially on hills with limited visibility. Not noticing signs can get you a ticket or even a tow in Ontario. Always check your surroundings before leaving your vehicle.

Selecting the Wrong Gear

Drivers with manual transmission cars usually leave their cars in neutral after parallel parking on a hill, which is a big mistake. Use first gear when uphill and reverse gear when parking downhill to prevent your car from rolling into traffic.

Parking Too Far from the Curb

Parking too far from the curb can reduce your car’s stability and increase the risk of your vehicle drifting onto the road. You should park parallel to the curb, no more than 30 cms away.

Not Checking the Steering Wheel Position

You must check your steering wheel and ensure it’s turned in the correct direction before leaving your car. Many drivers in Ontario ignore this simple step, especially when they’re in a rush.

Parking on a Slippery Hill

Drivers should always avoid parking on icy or slippery hills whenever possible. In winter, even if you did everything right, your car could still slip if the road surface is icy or offers no traction.

How to Exit a Parking Spot on a Hill

Start the engine while keeping your foot on the brake.
Use your mirrors and shoulder checks to clear any blind spots and ensure you’re safe to move.
Before moving, turn the wheel back to the centre so the car won’t veer unexpectedly.
Slowly release the parking brake.
Turn on your signals to let others know that you’re leaving the parking spot.
Start driving slowly till you safely merge with traffic.

FAQS: Parking Uphill and Downhill in Ontario

How do you remember uphill and downhill parking?

Use the phrase “up, up, and away”, which means that if you’re parking uphill, turn your wheels away from the curb (to the left). In all other situations, whether you’re parking uphill without a curb or downhill, you should turn your wheels to the right.

Is uphill left or right?

This depends on whether there’s a curb or not. If you’re parking uphill with a curb, you should turn your wheels to the left. If you’re parking uphill without a curb, turn your wheels to the right.

Do you reverse when uphill parking?

No, you shouldn’t shift your gear into reverse if you’re parking uphill; it should be shifted into first gear. However, if you’re parking a manual car downhill, you should select reverse.

How to face your wheels when parking uphill and downhill?

If you’re parking uphill with a curb:
- Turn your wheels left, away from the curb.
If you’re parking uphill without a curb:
- Turn your wheels right.
If you’re parking downhill with or without a curb:
- Turn your wheels right.

Why is parking on a slippery hill dangerous?

Parking on a slippery hill is dangerous because your car can slide even with the parking brake on. Reduced traction from ice, snow or rain makes it harder for your vehicle to stay in place and increases the risk of accidents.

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