Perhaps different in the states ARD but I've made a point of checking mine. I'll engage Park then turn off the car (in my garage where it's nice and quiet) and I clearly hear the park brake engaging. To confirm this, when the ignition is turned on. The park brake light is on. I've tried it a different way too just to be sure I wasn't shooting my mouth off. I engage park and turn the car off with a single press...radio still on as are all the dash lights. Open the drivers door, taking my foot off the brake and sure enough I hear the park brake engage and the park brake light on the dash comes on. As I said, perhaps a difference between the states and South Africa though the way we do things here I seriously doubt our laws are more stringent than yours.