How-to guide · Ford of Peoria · Peoria, IL
How to Parallel Park in Illinois, Step by Step
Parallel parking comes down to a good setup and a slow, steady reverse. Here is a step-by-step method, then what the Illinois Vehicle Code says about how close to the curb you must park, which way to turn your wheels on a hill, signaling, backing up and the places you may not park.
The short answer
Signal, pull up alongside the car in front of the space, then back slowly while turning toward the curb, turn away from the curb once your front bumper clears that car, then straighten. Illinois law says to finish with your right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb on a two-way road.
How to parallel park, step by step
Here is a simple method for a space with a car parked in front of it and behind it. Go slowly and check around you before every move.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Check and signal | Make sure the space is long enough for your vehicle, check your mirrors, and signal toward the curb. |
| 2. Line up | Stop alongside the car parked in front of the space, roughly even with it and a couple of feet away from its side. |
| 3. Back and turn toward the curb | Shift into reverse, look over your shoulder and back slowly, turning the wheel toward the curb so the rear of your vehicle swings into the space. |
| 4. Turn away from the curb | When your front bumper clears the rear of the car ahead, turn the wheel the other way and keep backing slowly so the front swings in. |
| 5. Straighten and center | Straighten your wheels, then pull forward or back a little to center in the space, leaving room in front and behind. |
This section is our own driving advice, not statute text. Practice in a quiet lot first.
A rearview camera or parking sensors can help, but they do not replace looking around you. Check your owner's manual for how your vehicle's parking aids work.
How close to the curb you must park in Illinois
Two-way road
Stop or park with your right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb, or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder.
One-way road
Unless a local ordinance says otherwise, park parallel to the curb in the direction of traffic, with your right-hand wheels within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or your left-hand wheels within 12 inches of the left-hand curb, or as close as practicable to the edge of the shoulder.
Angle parking
Local authorities may permit angle parking, but not on a federal-aid or State highway unless the Department has found the road wide enough.
From the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1304, Illinois General Assembly website, read November 9, 2026.
Parking on a hill and leaving your vehicle
Illinois law says you may not let a motor vehicle stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key, effectively setting the brake and, when it is standing on any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.
The law does not count a locked vehicle left running after a remote start as unattended.
From the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1401, Illinois General Assembly website, read November 9, 2026.
Signaling and backing
Pulling out
Your electric turn signal must be used to show you intend to start from a parallel parked position.
How long to signal
A turn or lane-change signal must be given continuously for at least the last 100 feet in a business or residence district and at least the last 200 feet outside one.
Backing up
You may not back up unless it can be done with safety and without interfering with other traffic.
Controlled-access highways
You may not back up on any shoulder or roadway of a controlled-access highway.
From the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-804 and 11-1402, Illinois General Assembly website, read November 9, 2026.
Where you cannot park in Illinois
Unless you need to avoid other traffic or are following the law, a police officer or a traffic-control device, Illinois law includes these places:
| Rule | Places |
|---|---|
| No stopping, standing or parking | Double parked on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the curb; on a sidewalk; within an intersection; on a crosswalk; on a bridge, elevated structure or in a highway tunnel; on railroad tracks; on a controlled-access highway; between the roadways of a divided highway, including crossovers; anywhere official signs prohibit stopping |
| No standing or parking (except momentarily to pick up or drop off passengers) | In front of a public or private driveway; within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection; within 30 feet of the approach to a flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic signal at the side of the road; within 20 feet of a fire station driveway (and within 75 feet across the street when signed); anywhere signs prohibit standing |
| No parking (except while loading or unloading) | Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; anywhere signs prohibit parking |
From the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1303, Illinois General Assembly website, read November 9, 2026.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Ford of Peoria is at 2211 W. Pioneer Pkwy. in Peoria. Get directions.
Ford of Peoria service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-noon |
| Sun | closed |
From Ford of Peoria's website, November 9, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Parallel parking FAQ
How close to the curb do you have to park in Illinois?
On a two-way road, Illinois law says to stop or park with your right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb, or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder (625 ILCS 5/11-1304).
When do I turn the steering wheel when parallel parking?
In our method, you back slowly from alongside the car in front of the space while turning toward the curb, then turn the other way once your front bumper clears that car's rear, and straighten your wheels when you are parallel to the curb.
Which way do I turn my wheels when parking on a hill in Illinois?
Illinois law says that before leaving a vehicle unattended on any perceptible grade, you must turn the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway, along with stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and setting the brake (625 ILCS 5/11-1401).
Do I have to signal when pulling out of a parallel parking space?
Yes. The Illinois Vehicle Code says the electric turn signal must be used to indicate an intention to start from a parallel parked position (625 ILCS 5/11-804).
How close to a fire hydrant can I park in Illinois?
Not within 15 feet. Illinois law prohibits standing or parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, except momentarily to pick up or drop off passengers (625 ILCS 5/11-1303).
Can I park near a stop sign in Illinois?
Not within 30 feet on the approach to a flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic control signal located at the side of the roadway, except momentarily to pick up or drop off passengers (625 ILCS 5/11-1303).
What does The Works at Ford of Peoria include?
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Ford of Peoria.
Sources
Parking, signaling and backing rules are from the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-804, 11-1303, 11-1304, 11-1401 and 11-1402) on the Illinois General Assembly website, read November 9, 2026. The step-by-step method is our own advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own parking rules; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Ford of Peoria's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5, Chapter 11 (Sections 11-804, 11-1303, 11-1304, 11-1401 and 11-1402), Illinois General Assembly, read November 9, 2026
- General service: The Works, Ford of Peoria, November 9, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Ford of Peoria, November 9, 2026