Is It Illegal To Back Into A Parking Spot In The US? It Depends

• Cars

While it's certainly an acquired skill, backing into parking spaces has a number of advantages and disadvantages. But there's a catch: some places in the U.S. actually prohibit backing into parking spaces. It's not actually a state-based thing, however, though there is a misconception that some states, like California and Florida, have such laws. In reality, they do not. Rather, it's based on a city-by-city basis, with some regions like Pompano Beach, Florida, having explicit laws against it:

"In all spaces marked for city administered public parking within the city, all vehicles shall be parked with the front end of the vehicle facing into the space provided for parking. It shall be unlawful for any person to back any vehicle into such a parking space. No person shall stand or park a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or into the roadway other than as indicated by signs or markings."

Several cities and properties have similarly-worded laws, ensuring that the back end of the car is always visible. But why do some places enforce this practice, anyway? Much like the regions themselves, it depends. Typically, you'll find these laws in states where front license plates aren't compulsory; having the rear facing out means that it's easier to scan license plates. Other places have specific ordinances addressing safety concerns. Lastly, some parking garages are actually the opposite, requiring drivers to reverse in. 

What specific regions are affected by these laws?

As a quick disclaimer, obviously, you should double-check with your particular region's policies. There may also be signs posted in parking lots where it's illegal to back in, which is also enforceable like any other sign, i.e., tow-away zones. Also, be aware that some states have laws that may appear confusing at first glance regarding this, such as Pennsylvania, which, according to Section 3702.0 Title 75: "No driver shall back a vehicle unless the movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic and then only after yielding the right-of-way to moving traffic and pedestrians." Basically, if you're reversing into a spot, do so safely. Note that Pennsylvania is a state that does not enforce front-mounted license plates.

While there are likely hundreds of major areas that enforce these laws, there's no centralized database or other geographical data that states definitively where it is and isn't allowed; it's all done at the municipal, city, or private level. It's similar, then, to "rat running" and its questionable legality that changes depending on the region. Moreover, some regions have laws stating you actually have to back into certain spots. For example, there are places in Hawaii where drivers are asked to back into diagonally-placed spots on the road, despite a county law saying it's illegal to do so. The workaround is that these spaces don't have municipal parking meters, which makes them exempt from the law. Some of these laws may seem counterintuitive or even strange. However, it's important to keep in mind that there are many strange traffic laws; this all comes down to location and common sense.

Why some places outlaw backing into spaces (and others mandate it)

These days, urban planners are incorporating more standard parking spots on roads to help ease congestion, because let's face it, parallel parking on city streets is time-consuming and painful for newbies. But this poses its own problems inherent to driving in high-traffic areas, like main boulevards and cramped lots. Hence, certain restrictions on how to park crop up in certain areas, typically with safety and legality in mind.

For instance, backing into a parking space requires a certain skill that not every driver has, especially if you're doing it in dense traffic. Reversing into the flow of traffic is obviously hazardous, likewise if there are pedestrians in the way. Also, it's difficult for parking enforcement officers to check for stolen vehicles in states where front plates aren't compulsory. Moreover, American vehicles are often oversized, with pickup trucks and crossovers dominating sales charts. In short, it's challenging to practice this safely in certain environments, discouraging reverse parking.

However, let's say you back into a spot successfully. When you leave, you have a far clearer view of the road ahead of you. Your headlights are much brighter than your reverse lights, so you have better visibility, and you won't have to reverse into traffic. This makes backing into a parking space the safer option when leaving a parking space, a fact that proponents tout. Nevertheless, it remains a surprisingly divisive issue across the United States, with policies just as varied as the opinions for and against. Although it doesn't hold a candle to some of the most bizarre driving laws you probably never heard of.