When parking parallel, how far should the curb side wheels be from the curb?

When parking parallel, the curb-side wheels should be between 6 to 18 inches from the curb. This distance is important to ensure that your vehicle is parked close enough to the curb to remain within the proper parking limits and not obstruct traffic. Staying within this range helps prevent your vehicle from being a hazard to other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, and minimizes the risk of damage to your car from passing vehicles.

Parking too far from the curb, beyond the specified distance, could lead to your vehicle protruding into the roadway, which not only can disrupt traffic flow but also raises the likelihood of accidents. This guideline aims to balance safety and convenience and is applicable in various situations within urban environments and residential neighborhoods.