Parking and stopping theory test practice
Free, no accountBased on the Rules of the Road
What you need to know
Parking rules look simple, but the Driver Theory Test often asks about the exceptions. A single yellow line means no parking during the times shown on the nearby plate. Double yellow lines mean no parking at any time. A clearway is a stretch of road kept clear for moving traffic at busy periods: you may not park there during the times shown, and you may only stop if you are waiting in a line of traffic.
Some places are always off limits. Do not park wholly or partly on a footpath, grass margin or cycle lane, or within 5 metres of a junction unless bays are marked. Keep clear of zebra and pelican crossings and the zigzag lines around them, bus stops, taxi ranks, entrances to premises and the approach to a level crossing. Never park at a corner, a bend, the brow of a hill or on a hump-back bridge.
Designated disabled parking spaces are wider so wheelchair users can open their doors fully. Using one without a valid permit is an offence. Do not block a school warden's view, and avoid the yellow zigzag lines marked SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR. Loading bays are for goods vehicles loading or unloading for up to 30 minutes, and disc parking limits how long you may stay in a street.
When you park, stop close to and parallel with the kerb, facing the same way as the traffic where possible. Apply the handbrake, switch off the engine and leave the car in first gear or reverse, or select P in an automatic. Check mirrors before opening a door, and do not leave your headlights on. At night make sure your car can be seen and use parking lights only.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Road markings · Traffic signs · Pedestrian crossings · Level crossings · School wardens · Lights · Disc parking
20 practice questions
Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
You see a single yellow line along the edge of the road with a plate showing certain hours. What does it mean?
Mark one answer · keys A to D
All the questions with answers
1. You see a single yellow line along the edge of the road with a plate showing certain hours. What does it mean?
Answer: You must not park during the hours shown on the plate
A single yellow line works together with an information plate. You must not park during the times it shows.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Road markings
2. A road has double yellow lines along the edge. When may you park there?
Answer: Never
Double yellow lines mean no parking at any time of the day or night.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Road markings
3. A clearway sign shows restrictions from 7 am to 9 am. What is the rule during those hours?
Answer: You must not park, and may stop only when in a queue of traffic
A clearway must be kept clear for moving traffic. During the times shown you may stop only if you are waiting in a line of traffic, not to park.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Traffic signs
4. You have no permit and need to collect a parcel. Can you use an empty disabled parking space for a few minutes?
Answer: No, it is an offence unless you display a valid permit
A designated disabled persons parking space may only be used by a vehicle displaying the correct permit. Using one without it is an offence.
Rules of the Road: Parking
5. Why are disabled parking bays wider than ordinary bays?
Answer: So wheelchair users can open the door fully and transfer
Wheelchair users need the extra width to open their door fully and move between chair and vehicle, so others must not use these bays.
Rules of the Road: Parking
6. What is the minimum distance from a road junction at which you may park, unless parking spaces are marked?
Answer: 5 metres
You must not park within 5 metres of a junction unless parking spaces are clearly marked there. This keeps sight lines clear.
Rules of the Road: Parking
7. You are looking for a space near a zebra crossing with zigzag lines on both sides. What is the rule?
Answer: You must not park anywhere on the zigzag lines
Zigzag lines keep the crossing clear so drivers and pedestrians can see each other. Do not park or overtake in the zigzag area.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Pedestrian crossings
8. The road is marked with white lines and the word BUS. What does this mean for parking?
Answer: You must not park or stop in the bus stop area
The area marked as a bus stop is for buses. You must not park in it.
Rules of the Road: Parking
9. Where must you never park in relation to a railway level crossing?
Answer: On the approach to the crossing
You must not park on the approach to a level crossing, as parked vehicles can block the view and cause a hazard if a train is coming.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Level crossings
10. Which of these is a place where you must never park?
Answer: At the brow of a hill
Never park at a corner, a bend, the brow of a hill or on a hump-back bridge. Other drivers cannot see you in time.
Rules of the Road: Parking
11. Why must you avoid parking where it blocks a school warden's view of the road?
Answer: The warden must see the road clearly to stop traffic safely
Wardens need a clear view of the road to guide children across safely. Never park where you would block it.
Rules of the Road: School wardens · Parking
12. You see yellow zigzag lines enclosing the words SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR. What does this mean?
Answer: You must not park or stop there
The zigzag lines keep the area outside a school entrance clear so children can be seen and are not forced onto the road. Do not park there.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Road markings
13. Which of these is correct about parking on a footpath?
Answer: You must not park wholly or partly on a footpath
You must not park wholly or partly on a footpath, a grass margin or a cycle lane. It forces pedestrians and cyclists into traffic.
Rules of the Road: Parking
14. You park on the road at night where there is no street lighting. What should you do with your lights?
Answer: Use parking lights and make sure the car can be seen
Do not leave headlights on when parked. Use parking lights and park where other road users can see your vehicle.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Lights
15. What is a loading bay used for?
Answer: Goods vehicles loading or unloading for up to 30 minutes
A loading bay is reserved for goods vehicles loading or unloading, for a maximum of 30 minutes. Other drivers must not park in it.
Rules of the Road: Parking
16. You find a lowered kerb that helps wheelchair users cross the road. Can you park across it?
Answer: No, you must not park where the kerb has been lowered
A lowered kerb gives access to wheelchair users and others. You must not park where it has been lowered for that purpose.
Rules of the Road: Parking
17. You leave a disc parking space after your time runs out. When may you park again in the same street?
Answer: Not within one hour of leaving
You must not park again in the same street within one hour of leaving a disc parking space. This keeps spaces available for others.
Rules of the Road: Parking · Disc parking
18. You are leaving your manual car parked on the street. Which of these is the correct procedure?
Answer: Apply the handbrake, switch off the engine and leave it in gear
Apply the handbrake, switch off the engine and leave the car in first gear or reverse. In an automatic, select P.
Rules of the Road: Parking
19. You stop in a spot that forces pedestrians to step into the road to get around your car. What may a Garda decide?
Answer: That you have committed an offence of dangerous parking
Parking in a way that is likely to endanger other road users, such as forcing a pedestrian onto the roadway, can be treated as dangerous parking.
Rules of the Road: Parking
20. Which of these is a place where you must not park?
Answer: In front of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or Garda station
Do not park near the entrance or exit of a fire, ambulance or Garda station. Emergency vehicles must be able to leave at once.
Rules of the Road: Parking
Questions people ask
- What does a single yellow line mean in Ireland?
- You must not park there during the times shown on the nearby information plate. Outside those times you can park, unless other signs or markings prevent it.
- What does a double yellow line mean?
- No parking at any time. Double yellow lines apply all day, every day, so there are no hours you can park there.
- Can I park in a disabled parking space without a permit if I'm only gone a minute?
- No. You must not stop or park in a designated disabled persons parking space unless you display a valid permit. It is an offence, however short the stay.
- How close to a junction can I park in Ireland?
- Not within 5 metres of a junction, unless parking spaces are clearly marked there. Parking nearer blocks the view of other drivers and makes turning harder.
Other theory test topics
- Learner permits and licences
- Penalty points and offences
- Alcohol, drugs, phones and fatigue
- Vehicle safety and passengers
- Speed limits and stopping distances
- Junctions and right of way
- Roundabouts and turning
- Road signs and markings
- Motorways, overtaking and lanes
- Pedestrians, cyclists and other road users
- Hazards, emergencies and breakdowns
Rules summarised from the Rules of the Road (© Road Safety Authority). Questions written by PassRank. These are not the official Driver Theory Test questions.