Do the general rules of the road apply in parking lots?

As of 2009, the general rules of the road governed by the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices do not apply to parking lots that are privately owned, such as at shopping malls, states the Federal Highway Administration. The manual establishes the national standard for all traffic control devices.

The rules apply to every state in the United States for areas open to public travel, such as roads within shopping centers, airports and sports facilities, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The rules do not apply to gated private properties, parking areas with driving aisles and highway-rail grade crossings.