Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing 

Texas Driver Handbook

Texas law specifically states:

1.  You may not park in a disabled parking space unless the vehicle has a disabled license plate or state issued removable windshield 

identification card.

2.  You may not use a disabled parking windshield identification card unless transporting the disabled person to whom it was 

issued.

3.  You may not lend your windshield identification card to someone else.

4.  You may not block an access or curb ramp.

5.  You may not make, sell, possess, or display a counterfeit disabled parking windshield identification card, or alter a disabled 

parking windshield identification card.

Certain municipalities also prohibit stopping or standing in a disabled parking space unless a disabled parking windshield identifica-

tion card is visible or the vehicle has a disabled license plate.

                       

Do not park in striped areas adjacent to disabled parking spaces or in a striped area in front of an entrance to a business adjacent to 

a disabled parking space. Striped areas are for wheelchair lifts.

Unattended Motor Vehicle

It is illegal for any driver to permit their car to stand idling unattended without turning off the engine, locking the ignition, remov-

ing the key from the ignition, and setting the brake; and when standing on any grade, without turning the front wheels to the curb 

or side of the road.

The requirements regarding turning off the engine, locking the ignition, and removing the key do not apply to a driver who starts 

the engine by using a remote starter or other similar device that remotely starts the engine without the key in the ignition. Before the 

vehicle can be operated, the key must be placed in the ignition or must be physically present in the vehicle. 

Parallel Parking

1.  Choose a space large enough for your car to fit. Signal then stop even with the front of the car about two feet out 

from the space. To alert drivers who may be behind you be sure to signal before you pass the spot you want to parallel park in. 

2.  Make sure you will not interfere with oncoming traffic then turn your front wheels all the way to the right and back slowly 

toward the curb.

                                                  

46

 Special No

te:

On a roadw

ay that allo

ws 

two-way tr

affic, the 

driver must p

ark with 

the vehicle‛s r

ight-hand 

wheels with

in 18 inches 

of the right

-hand curb  

or edge of t

he roadway

.

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Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing 

Texas Driver Handbook

3.  When your front seat is opposite the rear bumper of the car ahead, turn your steering wheel all the way to the left. Back slowly 

toward the car behind you without touching it. You should be about six inches from the curb. Do not park more than 18 inches 

from the curb or edge of the road.

4.  Straighten your front wheels and pull into the final parking position. Center your car in the space.

Parking on Hills

Turn wheels to curb

Turn back of wheels  

to curb

Turn wheels to right 

no curb

Leaving a Parking Space

Use caution when leaving any parking space and check all of your mirrors to make sure nothing is obstructing your vehicle’s path, 

especially pedestrians or children. Children often play between parked cars. Look back before and while you’re backing up. Be sure 

to use your signal to notify other drivers you are leaving your current parking spot. 

Watch for children in residential areas

Coasting

It is illegal to coast on a downgrade with the gears or transmission in neutral.

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Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits 

Texas Driver Handbook

Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits

Speed

Generally, you should drive at the same speed as the main stream of traffic and always be aware of 

how fast you are traveling. You must always obey the speed limit and you should consider these best 

practices below:

1.  You should keep a safe distance between your car and the one in front of you. The faster you drive, 

the greater the distance you should keep from the car ahead of you. For speeds 30 mph or less, the 

minimum time between your car and the one in front of you is 2 seconds with good road conditions. 

For speeds above 30 mph, maintain a 4 second gap between cars during good road conditions. During 

periods of poor road conditions, allow more time. Using a four-second following interval is the best practice for a beginning or 

less experienced driver.

It takes the average person 1-1/2 seconds to think, react and apply the brakes. The 

following table shows how far you travel in that 1-1/2 seconds, plus how many feet you 

travel while skidding to stop.

Approximate Stopping Distances

And this is with good brakes and tires on dry level pavement

Going 20

Going 30

Going 40

Going 50

Going 60

Going 70

229 Feet to Stop

303 Feet to Stop

387 Feet to Stop

164 Feet to Stop

63 Feet to Stop

109 Feet to Stop

2.  You should adjust your speed and following distance according to your physical condition and the conditions of the vehicle and 

road. If you are tired or not feeling well, do not drive. Never force yourself to drive.

3.  You should know when to slow down and increase the following distance.

a.  Slow down and increase the following distance when the road is wet. Many drivers find out too late what a small amount 

of rain can do. Roads become slippery when wet, making your car harder to control. Slow down and make sure you have 

complete control of the situation at all times.

b.  Slow down and increase the following distance when the road is crowded.

c.  Slow down and increase the following distance when your vision is limited. You should always be able to stop within the 

distance you can see ahead of your car. In the dark or in bad weather, do not over-drive your range of vision.

Speed Limits

Drivers are required to obey posted minimum and maximum speed limits. These limits are designed to provide for the orderly flow 

of traffic under normal driving conditions. During periods of heavy traffic, bad weather, low visibility, or other poor driving condi-

tions, you must adjust your speed and following distance to help avoid crashes.

The Speed Limits table shows the maximum speed limits for all vehicles under different conditions. Drivers must also be aware cities 

and counties have the authority to change these limits. Entities that establish or alter a speed limit must establish the same speed 

limit for daytime and nighttime.

48

 Special No

te:

When the v

ehicle ahead 

of you pass

es a fixed 

object and y

ou reach th

e 

same fixed o

bject in less 

than two s

econds, you a

re 

following to

o closely.

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