Parking on a hill: which way do you turn the wheels?

The Code’s rule, the technique the SAAQ teaches, and what to do before you leave the car.

Short answer: on a slope, the Code requires you to set the parking brake and turn the front wheels so that, if the vehicle moved, its front would go toward the nearest edge of the roadway (s. 383). With a curb, the SAAQ teaches: uphill, wheels turned toward the street; downhill, wheels turned toward the sidewalk, with the tire resting against the curb.

What the Code says

Section 383 of the Code de la sécurité routière (Quebec’s Highway Safety Code) sets three obligations:

park no more than 30 cm from the nearest edge of the roadway, facing the direction of traffic, unless whoever maintains the road indicates otherwise;
on a slope, apply the emergency brake (the SAAQ manuals call it the parking brake);
on a slope, turn the front wheels so that any movement of the front of the vehicle is toward the nearest edge of the roadway.

The text refers to the nearest edge: if you are parked along the left curb, facing the direction of traffic, that is the one that counts.

The SAAQ technique, with a curb

The SAAQ manual Conduire un véhicule de promenade says to turn the wheels so the tires rest against the curb: that way the vehicle is held if the parking brake or the transmission fails (ch. 3, “Stationner dans une pente”).

Slope	Front wheels
Uphill	Turned toward the street, the wheel touching the curb
Downhill	Turned toward the sidewalk, the wheel touching the curb

In both cases the car stays within 30 cm of the curb (same manual, ch. 3).

No curb (shoulder, country road): the SAAQ manuals we consulted only illustrate a street with a curb. The Code’s rule still applies: brake set and wheels turned so that the front of the vehicle, if it moved, would head toward the nearest edge of the roadway (s. 383). On a road where the speed limit is 70 km/h or more, stopping on the roadway is prohibited unless it is necessary or a sign allows it (s. 384).

Before you leave the vehicle

The law: you may not leave a vehicle unattended without removing the ignition key and locking the doors (s. 381), or leave a child under 7 alone in it (s. 380). Both rules also apply on private roads open to public traffic and in shopping-centre parking lots and other areas where the public may drive (s. 381.1).

The method the SAAQ recommends (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 3, “Se préparer à quitter le véhicule”; ch. 1, “Le frein de stationnement”):

Set the parking brake with your right foot on the brake pedal. The manual says to do this before leaving the vehicle even on flat ground.
Shift into Park (P), still with your foot on the brake.
Turn off the ignition.
Check that the headlights are off (so the battery isn’t drained).
Check your mirrors and blind spot, and open the door only when there is no more risk of dooring; passengers too.
Make sure the key isn’t left inside and lock all the doors.

The Guide de la route also lists, among its vehicle checks, making sure the parking brake fully holds the car on a slope (ch. 2, “Le frein de stationnement”).

The distances where stopping is prohibited (fire hydrant, intersection, crosswalk…) are on another page: Where is parking prohibited in Quebec?

Key points for the test

Slope: parking brake set + front wheels turned toward the nearest edge (s. 383).
Uphill with a curb: wheels toward the street. Downhill: wheels toward the sidewalk.
No more than 30 cm from the curb, facing the direction of traffic.
Leaving the vehicle unattended: key out and doors locked (s. 381).

Test yourself on this topic
Original questions with explanations and sources, “Driving techniques” section.
Practise for free

Official sources

Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 380, 381, 381.1, 383 and 384
SAAQ, Conduire un véhicule de promenade (2022 ed., French), ch. 1, “Le frein de stationnement”; ch. 3, “Stationner dans une pente”, “Se préparer à quitter le véhicule”
SAAQ, Guide de la route (4th ed., 2024, French), ch. 2, “Le frein de stationnement”; ch. 4, “Immobilisation et stationnement des véhicules” (“Obligations”)

General information page, current as of 2026-10-29. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.