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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Securing a parked vehicle and moving off

Understand the rule, its conditions and how to apply it

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

Purpose and essential terms

An unattended vehicle must not be free to roll. A slope, an incorrectly secured parking brake or a running engine can turn a parked vehicle into a hazard after you have walked away. Parking safely therefore includes both choosing a lawful place and securing the vehicle.

The parking brake is intended to hold a stationary vehicle. Its control can be a hand lever, foot control or electronic switch. Learn its operation from the actual vehicle’s instructions before driving.

Key idea: An unattended vehicle must not be free to roll.

How to apply the rule

Bring the vehicle to a controlled stop in a permitted place. Apply the parking brake and use the vehicle’s prescribed parking procedure for its transmission and gradient. Confirm that it is held stationary before leaving. Switch off the engine; do not leave a parked vehicle unattended with its engine running.

Before moving off again, look ahead, to the sides and behind. Check mirrors and blind spots for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Signal when appropriate, but wait if joining traffic would interfere with an approaching road user. Release the securing controls only when ready for a safe, controlled departure.

Key idea: Keep the vehicle stationary and check mirrors and blind spots.

Conditions and easily confused points

Neutral does not secure a vehicle against movement. Likewise, locking the doors does not prevent it rolling. An automatic selector’s Park position must be used as directed by the manufacturer; it is not a reason to ignore the parking brake procedure.

Reversing requires its own observation. If you cannot establish that the intended path is clear, stop and reassess rather than relying only on a reversing lamp, camera or horn.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Worked road situation

You return to a roadside parking place and a cyclist is approaching beside the car.

  1. Keep the vehicle stationary and check mirrors and blind spots.
  2. Allow the cyclist to pass rather than pulling into their path.
  3. Recheck all relevant directions before signalling and moving off.

Quick recap

  • Keep the vehicle stationary and check mirrors and blind spots.
  • Allow the cyclist to pass rather than pulling into their path.
  • Recheck all relevant directions before signalling and moving off.

Practice questions on securing a parked vehicle and moving off

1 What must you do before leaving a vehicle unattended?

  1. Leave it in neutral with no brake
  2. Leave the engine running
  3. Secure it so it cannot move
Show the answer

Answer C: Secure it so it cannot move

An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.

Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.

All vehicle codes

2 May an unattended vehicle’s engine be left running?

  1. Yes, if the door is locked
  2. Yes, for less than ten minutes
  3. No
Show the answer

Answer C: No

An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.

Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.

All vehicle codes

3 What should you check before pulling away from a parked position?

  1. Only traffic immediately behind
  2. Only the speedometer
  3. Traffic approaching from all relevant directions
Show the answer

Answer C: Traffic approaching from all relevant directions

An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.

Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.

All vehicle codes

4 May a driver reverse when it cannot be done safely?

  1. Yes, with the horn sounding
  2. Yes, if hazard lights are on
  3. No, reverse only when safe
Show the answer

Answer C: No, reverse only when safe

An unattended vehicle must be secured against movement. Do not leave its engine running. Before moving away from a parked position, check that you can join traffic safely without interfering with vehicles approaching from any direction.

Memory tip: Secure the vehicle, then check before moving off.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Parking and stopping

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF pp. 36–37, section 6.49; iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference).

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.