Parking at colored curbs — California Permit Test

At a white curb you may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.

It is a place to let somebody out, not a space to leave the car in while you go inside.

White: Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.

At a green curb you may park for a limited time, posted on signs or painted on the curb.

The color tells you there is a clock on it; the number tells you how long.

Green: Park for a limited time. The time limit may be posted on signs or painted on the curb.

At a yellow curb you may load and unload passengers and freight, and a noncommercial driver is usually required to stay with the vehicle.

The space turns over quickly, which only works if somebody can move the car at once.

Yellow: Load and unload passengers and freight.

At a red curb there is no stopping, standing or parking, though buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses only.

Those stretches are kept clear because somebody needs to see past them or get through them.

Red: No stopping, standing, or parking. Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses only.

A blue curb is parking for a disabled person, or for someone driving a disabled person, with a special placard or license plate.

The space is next to the door for a reason, and it is the only one some drivers can use.

Blue: Parking for a disabled person or someone driving a disabled person with a special placard or special license plate.

What may you do at a white curb?

Pick up or drop off passengers. It is a place to let somebody out, not a space to leave the car in while you go inside. California Driver’s Handbook, p.28: “White: Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.”