What Do These Curb Markings Mean In California?

Published on 2021-03-01 in Drivers Ed

You may be driving around California, possibly during one of your driving lessons, and notice the different colors of curb markings. What do these different colors mean? We'll explain below!

Curb markings are designed to regulate parking areas and spaces. Each color is telling you what that spot means. These colors help show us if the parking is controlled, permitted, restricted or not permitted.

White Curb

  • Allows very short stops to pick up or drop off passengers, or to put mail in the mailbox.

Yellow Curb

  • Loading zone.
  • A driver may stop, but only long enough to load or unload freight or passengers.
  • Stop for no longer than the local ordinances allow.
  • Drivers of non-commercial vehicles are usually required to remain in their vehicle in this zone.

Red Curb

  • No stopping, standing, or parking.
  • Buses may stop at any red zone marked for buses, as red curbs may indicate a bus stop.

Blue Curb

  • This indicates parking for the disabled only.
  • In order to park in a blue zone, the driver must display an appropriate placard or the license plate must be specially marked.

Note: A driver may park in a space reserved for people with disabilities if the vehicle displays license plates for the disabled and is carrying the disabled person named on the registration.

Green Curb

  • This indicates parking is for a limited amount of time.
  • This time is usually posted on a sign next to or near the green zone. It may also be painted on the curb.

With five different curb colors possible, it can get confusing at times. Study up to make sure you know what they mean! You don't want to get a ticket for parking illegally when it could have been avoided!


About the Author

Nigel Tunnacliffe

Nigel Tunnacliffe is the co-Founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, the largest driving school in the country, on a mission to eradicate car crashes. An experienced founder and technology executive, Nigel and his team are shaking up the automotive industry by taking a technology-centric approach to learning and driver safety. Having served over 100,000 driving students across 500+ cities, Coastline was recently named the 6th fastest-growing education company in America by Inc. Magazine. Nigel is a frequent podcast guest and quoted driving education expert for major publications such as Yahoo!, GOBankingRates, and MSN.