New Hampshire Driver's Education Practice Exam

Engaging the parking brake is the most important safety step when parking on a slope because it provides an independent hold on the wheels that doesn’t rely on the transmission or foot brakes. On an incline, gravity can push the car downhill even if you’ve shifted into Park or released the foot brake; the parking brake locks the wheels and prevents movement, giving you a stubborn, reliable restraint. In automatic vehicles, using the parking brake in addition to selecting Park adds a safety layer in case the transmission or lock mechanism slips. In a manual, you’d also select a strong gear (like first or reverse) and firmly set the parking brake for the same reason. Hazard lights don’t stop the vehicle—they just alert others that you’re stopped. So the best safety step is to engage the parking brake.