Reciprocal Recognition of Parking Badges
In 1978, the ECMT Council of Ministers agreed that all Member Countries of the ECMT would grant the same parking concessions to people with disabilities as they offered their own nationals. These concessions usually allowed special parking in areas reserved for people with disabilities, or allowed longer parking periods or exemptions from charges.
This Resolution was updated and extended in scope in 1997. In addition to all the Member countries of ECMT this Resolution now applies also to the ECMT Associated Countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and United States). This means that disabled motorists from all ECMT Member and Associate countries are now entitled to the same parking concessions as nationals in all ECMT Countries. The only condition is the display of a badge showing the international wheelchair symbol.
In 1998 the EU adopted a Resolution along the same lines for the Member countries of the EU. The badges to be displayed are to be standardized to facilitate recognition and to avoid difficulties at local level.
EU Blue Parking Badge
To facilitate the implementation of these decisions the following information is provided to help people visiting the various countries understand the local rules. At present different badges are used and where this information is available these badges are shown.
This page describes what the concessions are, where disabled people can park and where they can't.
AUSTRALIA
Designated disability parking spaces are available across Australia.
Currently, the responsibility for delivering the parking schemes is shared across a range of state, territory, and local government and non-government organisations.
The Australian Government is currently working with state and territory governments to harmonise accessible parking schemes.
Key features of the Australian system are that:
- All Australian jurisdictions include the international wheelchair logo in their permits, publications and parking spaces.
- Local Government is usually responsible for regulating the use of parking spaces.
- International travellers should contact the Local Government authority in the area they are visiting for up to date information.
- Parking permits are issued to an eligible person rather than the vehicle.
- Temporary and long term parking permits are issued by all jurisdictions but vary in colour, length of time for permits and renewals.
See also www.gov.au
Reciprocal Recognition
Some States and territories have regulations that comply with ECMT Resolution 97/4. There is a commitment to harmonise schemes across Australia and to implement ECMT Resolution 97/4.
Further information on the Australian Disability Parking Scheme can be found at: www.disabilityparking.gov.au or from accessparking@fahcsia.gov.au
AUSTRIA
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park there if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
- In most areas you must pay to park on roads where payment is required. Check locally.
- You may drive and park in pedestrian zones, but only during vehicle delivery access times. Check locally.
Parking in car parks: Public car parks offer no concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card.
Parking badge: EU model
Contact
Ms. Liliana PREROWSKY
Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology
International Department of Transport
Department II/A/2
Radetzkystrasse 2
A-1031 Vienna
Tel. +43-1 711 62 1207
E-mail: liliana.prerowsky@bmv.gv.at
BELGIUM
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
- In most areas you must pay to park on roads where payment is required. Check locally.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
Parking in car parks: Some car parks allow vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card to be parked free of charge but only in specific parking bays marked for disabled people. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant.
Parking badge: EU model
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Currently there is no national system. Schemes vary in different administrative areas.
Domestic legislation is in preparation to establish and apply rules for parking badges for disabled people and to harmonise with EU requirements.
Reciprocal Recognition
No yet in place - see above
Contact
Dario BUSIC
Head of Department for Local Roads
Ministry of Communications and Transport
71000 Sarajevo, Trg BiH 3
E-mail: d.busic@mkt.gov.ba
BULGARIA
Contact point for further information
Mr. Jordan STOYANOV
State expert in Transport Policy Directorate
Tel. +359-2 940 9488
Fax +359-2 987 8808
CANADA
Parking Badge Policies in Canada
In Canada, parking badge policies and programs for persons with disabilities come under provincial and territorial government authority. These governments then delegate the responsibility for enacting and enforcing their own bylaws on parking permits and the use of designated parking spaces for persons with disabilities, to cities and municipalities. As a result, parking badge policies for persons with disabilities may vary from one jurisdiction to another. There are, however, important common elements:
- All jurisdictions provide designated parking spaces for vehicles carrying persons with mobility disabilities.
- These designated parking spaces are marked by a traffic control sign bearing the international wheelchair logo. The international logo is often painted on the pavement of the parking space, as well.
- A parking permit is issued to a person with a disability, not a specific vehicle, and is for that person’s use only.
- The driver must hang the parking permit from the rearview mirror or place it in plain view on the dashboard, when it is parked..
- The person with the disability must leave and board the vehicle while it is parked in the designated parking space.
Visitors to Canada must bring their valid parking permit from their home jurisdiction with them and hang it from the rearview mirror or place it in plain view on the dashboard of their vehicle. Canadian jurisdictions will recognize disabled parking permits from other Canadian provinces and territories, from the United States, and from Europe. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to comply with local parking bylaws.
Unlike most European countries, in Canada: :
- Persons with disabilities holding a valid parking badge cannot normally park their vehicles in pedestrian zones or no parking zones or loading and unloading zones.
- Permit holders must usually pay parking meter fees where such charges apply. We recommend visitors check with local authorities whether fee exemptions are available.
- Canadian jurisdictions do not use time limitation devices, parking discs or other devices in addition to the parking permit itself.
For more specific information on the parking badge policies of a particular Canadian jurisdiction, visitors may wish to contact the office that issues parking permits, of their provincial/territorial destination, listed in the grid below.
PROVINCES/TERRITORIES | PARKING PERMIT ISSUING OFFICE |
Alberta | Service Alberta |
British Columbia | Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) |
Manitoba | Society for Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD) |
New Brunswick | Service New Brunswick - Department of Public Safety / Services Nouveau-Brunswick – ministère de la Sécurité publique) |
Newfoundland & Labrador | Services NL - Motor Registration Division |
Northwest Territories | NWT Disabilities Council |
Nova Scotia | Service Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles / Service Nouvelle-Écosse – Bureau des véhicules automobiles |
Nunavut | Nunavut issues accessible parking permits. For more information, please contact the Motor Vehicles Division of the Ministry of Economic Development and Transportation |
Ontario | Service Ontario |
Prince Edward Island | PEI Council of People with Disabilities |
Québec | Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) |
Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Abilities Council
|
Yukon | The Government of Yukon does not have a territorial regulation on parking permit programs for persons with disabilities. However, the City of Whitehorse does have an accessible parking program in place for persons with disabilities administered by the Bylaw Services Department. City of Whitehorse |
CZECH REPUBLIC
Card
People in wheelchairs are equipped with a card issued by the Czech Association for Environment of Disabled People. The card consists of 4 pages:
- The Title Page refers to the organisation issuing the card, the card number, name and surname, the citizen's card-index number, address, holder's signature and seal of the issuing organisation.
- The Second Page refers to the benefits for the card holder.
- The Third Page contains instructions for the card holder.
- The Fourth Page indicates the validity of the card.
At present the card does not have a pictogram of a person in a wheelchair, but later this year a pictogram - blue on a white background - will figure on the title page.
This pictogram is already in use elsewhere in the Czech Republic (in the metro, public areas, health institutes and transport infrastructure). It is regulated by Decree No 30/2001 to the Act No 361/2000 Coll.
Parking regulations for foreign visitors
Foreign citizens using wheelchairs and/or with mobility handicaps, have the same rights as Czech citizens in respect of parking, provided they are equipped with the document issued by the authorized organisation. This is regulated by Decree No 99/89 Coll., on traffic rules for road communications (the Traffic Rules), issued by the Ministry of the Interior.
In brief, people with mobility handicaps may park their vehicle wherever parking is generally permitted. As regards the parking fee, the owner of the parking place determines the amount.
Contact
Mr. Vlastimil SINDYLEK
Ministry of Transport
130 Odbor kolejovych vozidel
Nabrezi Ludvika Svobody 12
CZ-110 15 Prague 1
Tel. +420 972 231 458
DENMARK
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.
Parking discs are required when drivers park in areas that are time limited. Foreign vehicles may display discs which are issued and accepted in the home country.
Parking on roads
Vehicles displaying a disabled person parking card:
- may park for 15 min on roads where waiting or parking is prohibited. Parking discs are required;
- may park for up to an hour where parking is limited to 15-30 min Parking discs are required;
- may park for an unlimited time where parking is limited to up 3 hours;
- may, in general on roads with parking meters only, park if the driver pay according to how long the vehicle is parked. Though in Copenhagen, vehicles displaying a disabled parking card may park free of charge in public parking zones. Check locally.
- may be allowed to drive and park in pedestrian zones. Check locally.
Parking in car parks
In car parks where payment is required, the driver must generally pay according to how long the vehicle is parked. Though in Copenhagen, vehicles displaying a disabled person parking card may park free of charge in public zones. Check locally.
Reciprocal Recognition
Denmark uses the EU model badge and has implemented ECMT Resolution 97/4.
Contact
The Ministry of Justice
Road Traffic Division
Slotholmsgade 10
DK-1216 Copenhagen K
Tel. +45 3392 3340
E-mail: jm@jm.dk Attention Road Traffic Division
ESTONIA
Parking badge: National ModelEstonia Parking Card for People with Disabilities
Contact
Mr. Hellat RUMVOLT
Councillor to the Road Transport Department
Ministry of Transport and Communications
9 Viriu Street
Tallinn
Tel. +372 6 313 818
E-mail: hellat.rumvolt@tsm.ee
FINLAND
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park there if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number.
Parking on roads
- You may park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
- You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.
- You may be allowed to drive and park in pedestrian zones. Check locally.
Parking in car parks
Vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card may be parked free of charge and beyond time limits.
Parking badge: EU model
Contact
Ms. Anne JÄRVINEN
Senior Officer
Ministry of Interior
Säästöpankinranta 2 A
FIN-00530 Helsinki
Tel. +358-9 160 8281
E-mail: anne.jarvinen@poliisi.fi
FRANCE
Although there is a national system of parking concessions, local variations can apply. Check locally. In Paris, vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking car may be parked on roads free of charge.
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol on a vertical sign.
As a general rule, a wheelchair symbol is drawn on the pavement but this feature is not imposed by regulation.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- You may park beyond the time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
- You must pay to park on roads where payment is required (except in Paris).
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
Parking in car parks
Car parks do not generally offer concessions to vehicle displaying a disabled person's parking car.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking Badge: EU model. The recognition of badges from other EU member States was established in 2000. Badge holders from other European countries have the same parking concessions as French badge holders. France has implemented ECMT Resolution 97/4.
Contact
Mme Michèle TILMONT
Déléguée ministérielle à l'accessibilité
Ministère de l'Ecologie, de l'énergie, du développement durable et de l'aménagement du territoire
Tour Pascal B
F-92055 La Défense cedex 04
Tel. +33-1 4081 9847
E-mail: michele.tilmont@developpement-durable.gouv.fr
GERMANY
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a road sign (wheelchair symbol). Do not, however, park on spaces marked with a parking card number reserving them for certain disabled people.
Parking on roads
- You may park for up to 3 hours on roads where parking is prohibited - also in no-parking zones.
- You may exceed the allowed parking period on roads where parking is restricted by time - also in restricted-parking zones.
- You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.
- You may park up to 3 hours in resident's parking areas.
- You may park outside the marked spaces in traffic-calmed areas without obstructing the traffic.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless it is expressly permitted by local concessions. Check locally. For even if it is permitted, you are only allowed to enter and park there during specific vehicle access times.
The above regulations apply unless there is another parking facility available at a reasonable distance. The maximum parking period is 24 hours.
Parking in private car parks
Ask the car park attendant on the spot whether disabled people are granted parking privileges.
Reciprocal Recognition
Germany uses the EU model badge. ECMT Resolution has not been implemented. In Germany, the Federal States (Bundesländer) are the appropriate authorities for the surveillance of road traffic and they have rejected this in the past. Reasons included likely difficulties caused by varying documents/badges (different style etc.) and possible language difficulties.
Recommendation for disabled people from associated ECMT countries is to get in touch with the local authorities responsible for road traffic at their place of residence, to see what kind of special parking permission is suitable or if the parking badge of the home country is sufficient.
Contact
Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs
Division S32
Robert-Schuman-Platz 1
D-53175 Bonn
E-mail: Ref-S32@bmvbs.bund.de
GREECE
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol. Do not park there if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number.
There are no concessions for street parking or parking in car parks.
You may park only where parking is permitted, and you must pay parking charges and observe time limits.
Parking badge: EU model
HUNGARY
Parking badge: National model
Contact
Mr. Sandor RADAI
Hungarian Union of Associations of People with Mobility Handicaps
Tel. +36-1 361 0311
E-mail: sandor.radai@matavnet.hu
ICELAND
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol. Do not park there if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- Fees and time limit concessions for vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card vary. Check locally.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
Parking in car parks
Car parks do not generally give concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card, although some local variations may apply. Check locally.
Parking badge: EU model
IRELAND
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- Fees and time limit concessions for vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card vary. Check locally.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
Parking in car parks
In some car parks, payment concessions are given to vehicles displaying the disabled person's parking card. Drivers should check with the car park notices or ask an attendant for details.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking badge: EU model. Road traffic and parking regulations of 1997 provides for recognition of parking badges issued by authorities in any country across the world. This provision is sufficiently broad to encompass the EU Recommendation for the reciprocal recognition of the Community Model parking card. No express reference is made to any particular measure in the 1997 regulation.
Contact
Anthony BYRNE
Road Safety and Traffic Division
Department of Transport
Leeson Lane
Dublin 2
E-mail: tonybyrne@transport.ie
ITALY
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol. Do not park there if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited unless signs clearly indicate otherwise.
- You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
- You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless there is a sign showing exemption. Check locally.
Parking in car parks
One in 50 spaces in public car parks is reserved for use by vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card. Vehicles displaying a parking card may be parked there free of charge. If these spaces are occupied, vehicles displaying a card may be parked in other spaces free of charge.
In some private car parks, vehicles displaying a parking card may be parked free of charge, and often for longer periods than other vehicles. Check locally.
Parking badge: EU model
LATVIA
Parking badge: National model
LIECHTENSTEIN
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol.
Apart from reserved spaces, there are no concessions for street parking or parking in car parks.
You may park only where parking is permitted, and you must pay parking charges and observe time limits.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking badge: EU model. ECMT Resolution 97/4 has not been implemented and there are currently no plans to do so.
Contact
Wilfried HAUSER
Head of Transport Division
Austrasse 15
LI-9490 Vaduz
E-mail: Wilfried.Hauser@aht.ilv.li
LITHUANIA
Lithuania has not yet introduced the special Parking Card for people with disabilities according the the European Union Council Recommendation 98/376/EC. According to the provisions of the Road Traffic Rules parking privileges are applied for vehicles bearing the wheelchair symbol.
A person driving a vehicle with the wheelchair symbol is allowed:
- To park in an urban area which has no special parking space if this would not cause an obstruction for pedestrians and other vehicles;
- To park in the area which has signs "No stopping (clearway)" and "No stopping except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers (urban clearway)".
LUXEMBOURG
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- You must pay to park where payment is required and you must keep within the time limit.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
Parking in car parks
Public car parks offer no concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card.
Parking badge: EU model
MALTA
Reserved spaces for parking badge holders (known locally as the 'blue sticker') are allocated in all localities on-street. Reserved parking spaces for parking badge holders are also allocated in government owned off-street parking areas. Planning regulations for major private developments with off-street public car parks require the allocation of a proportion of the total public car parking spaces to be reserved for parking badge holders. Reserved parking spaces for disabled persons are marked with the wheelchair symbol and may be used by any person holding a valid 'blue sticker' parking badge.
Parking in roads in controlled parking areas
Vehicles displaying a 'blue sticker' parking badge may park on-street in the reserved spaces without time restriction in time controlled parking zones and without a charge in zones that are controlled using time-based parking fees.
Parking in public and private car parks
Vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card may be parked free of charge in certain localities or against the standard parking fee/time restrictions in other localities.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking badge: EU model
Malta has adopted Council Recommendation 98/376/EC and there is mutual recognition of parking badges from EU countries. Regarding parking badges from non-EU countries, the following provision of ECMT Resolution 97/4 would apply as there is nothing in law to state the contrary:
"To give the same parking facilities to holders of this document coming from another member or associated member country as they do to their own nationals".
Contact
David SUTTON
Malta Transport Authority
5a Maison Road Floriana, FRN 1312
E-mail: david.sutton@maltatransport.com
NETHERLANDS
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol. Do not park there if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number.
Parking on roads
- You may park for up to 3 hours on roads where parking is prohibited.
- You must pay to park where payment is required and you must keep within the time limit. Local variations may apply, however. Check locally.
- You may park without time limit o roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
Parking in car parks
Public car parks offer no concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card.
Parking badge: EU model
Contact
Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat
Postbus 20901 NL-2500 EX The Hague
NORWAY
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol. Do not park there if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number. You may not use parking places reserved for other vehicles or vulnerable users.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.
- You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time, unless a time limit is specified for vehicles displaying the disabled person's parking card.
- You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
- You may park in residential areas where parking places restricted in time has been introduced.
Parking in car parks
In many car parks vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card are allowed to be parked free of charge and without time limit, but only in bays reserved for disabled people. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking badge: EU model. ECMT Resolution 97/4 was implemented in 2000.
Contact
Harald GJELSVIK
Senior Legal Adviser
Public Roads Administration, Directorate of Public Roads Postbox 8142 Dep
N-0033 Oslo
E-mail: harald.gjelsvik@vegvesen.no
POLAND
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol or signs D-18, D-18b plus plate T-29.
A driver of a vehicle with parking card does not pay for ferry passage.
Parking on roads: A person driving a vehicle with a disabled person's parking car is allowed (provided that he/she drives with caution) to drive or park in the area which has following regulatory signs:
- No vehicles
- No motor vehicles
- No bus
- No motorcycles
- No mopeds
- No stopping
- No parking during even days
- No parking during odd days
- Parking is restricted by time
Parking in car parks
Public car parks offer no concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card. Local authorities may establish: free parking only in marked places, free parking in whole area, reduced charges for the first hour, reduced subscription for parking.
Parking badge: EU model
Contact
Mr. Krystian WARDA
Ministry of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy
ul. Chalubinskiego 4/6 PL-00-928 Warsaw
E-mail: kwarda@transport.gov.pl
PORTUGAL
On public roads and in car parks there are places designated for disabled people. Such places are marked with the wheelchair international symbol and they are provided for holders of a European Parking Badge. Under national legislation, this badge is issued without considering either who drives or who owns the vehicle, and it may be required by any disabled person, in order to make it possible for them to be transported in another person's car.
The badge guarantees the right to park one's own car of another person's car, both on designated places and places not designated for disabled people, when it is absolutely necessary and for a short time period, since this will not be to the detriment of the normal circulation of vehicles and pedestrians.
The current Highway Code has created another possibility of parking on-street and in car parks. Under this new disposition, disabled people have a right to park either their own vehicle, or the vehicle in which they are travelling, in new designated places provided in car parks and parking areas marked with the wheelchair symbol, as well as two other pictograms: a pregnant woman and a person carrying a child in their arms.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited.
- You must pay to park on roads where payment is required and must not exceed the time paid for.
- You must not exceed time limits on roads where time restrictions apply.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.
- There are also parking regulations made by some local Councils, providing disabled residents with restricted parking places close to their residence and work place. These persons must comply with the following conditions: to have a mobility impairment; to be a vehicle owner; to possess the EU model parking badge.
- Do not park where the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number.
Parking in car parks
Car parks do not always offer concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking badge: EU model. Portugal has implemented ECMT Resolution 97/4 under the 8th article of the Decree-Law n°307/2003.
Contact
Carlos PEREIRA
Instituto Nacional para a Reabilitaçao
Av. Conde de Valbom, 63
P-1069-178 Lisboa
E-mail: carlos.pereira@seg-social.pt
SPAIN
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol.
Parking on roads
- Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited unless local concessions specifically allow it. Check locally.
- Fees and time limit concessions for vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card vary. Check locally.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless local concessions specifically allow it. Check locally.
Parking in car parks
In most places car parks offer concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card. Check locally.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking badge: EU model. ECMT Resolution 97/4 has been implemented.
Contact
Mr. José Antonio REDONDO
Centro Estatal de Autonomia Personal y Ayudas Tecnicas
c/de los Extremenos No 1
E-28018 Madrid
E-mail: ceapat@seg-social.es or jredondo@mtas.es
SWEDEN
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol.
Parking on roads
- You may park for up to 3 hours on roads where parking is prohibited (see the European traffic signs details).
- On roads where parking is free but restricted by time the following time limits apply to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card:
- where parking is limited to less than 3 hours, you may park for up to 3 hours;
- where parking is limited to more than 3 hours, you may park for up to 24 hours.
- You may be allowed to park free of charge on roads where payment is normally required for parking. Check locally.
- You may drive and park for up to 3 hours in pedestrian zones.
Parking in car parks
Car parks often make concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card. Check locally.
Parking badge: EU model
Contact
Mr. Lars AHLMAN
Advisor at the Swedish Association of Local Authorities
Tel. +46 40 34 35 75
E-mail: lars.ahlman@svekom.se
SWITZERLAND
On public roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are indicated by the wheelchair symbol. For parking in other places (including long term), the parking badge must be displayed with a parking permit.
Parking on Roads
- You can park for up to 2 hours in streets in which parking is strictly prohibited (indicated by signs);
- You can park for up to 6 hours in authorised parking places in streets in which parking is free but time limited;
- You can park for over 6 hours in streets in which parking is controlled par meters or pay and display. The decision on whether such parking is free is taken locally. You need to check;
- You can park for up to two hours in meeting/pick up areas and in pedestrian areas to which access is permitted.
Parking in Car Parks
National parking concessions do not apply in private car parks. You need to check locally on reserved places and charges.
Reciprocal Recognition
The badge is similar to that prescribed by the European Union. Switzerland has implemented ECMT Resolution 97/4.
Contact
Stephan HALTINER
Case Postale 3003
Berne
E-mail: stephan.haltiner@astra.admin.ch
UNITED KINGDOM
On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with wheelchair symbol.
While the Blue Badge disabled person's parking Scheme operates throughout the United Kingdom, there are small variations in its application in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In England and Wales the Blue Badge disabled person's parking card is used in conjunction with a parking disc. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, there is no time restriction on parking for Blue Badge holders. However, people from other countries who display the disabled person's parking card in England and Wales without a parking disc will be given the same conditions.
Parking on roads
- You may park for up to 3 hours on roads where parking is prohibited unless the signs say "No loading or unloading", unless in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.
- You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
- Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless there is a sign showing that vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking car are exempt.
- The Scheme does not operate fully in Central London. Check locally in Central London about concessions.
Parking in car parks
Some car parks allow vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card to be parked free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant.
Reciprocal Recognition
Parking badge: EU model. The UK has not yet implemented ECMT Resolution 97/4 but it has taken the necessary legal powers and is committed to doing so. There is no timetable yet for implementation.
Contact
Blue Badge Team
Traffic Division
Department for Transport
Zone 3/26 Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 4DR
E-mail: Blue.badge@dft.gsi.gov.uk
UNITED STATES
In the United States, every individual State has its own rules and regulations on disability parking permits, among other things. Each State has a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) which is usually the point of contact for that State and any vehicle related questions, including disability parking permits.
Requirements for disabled parking permits for visiting overseas motorists vary from state to state. Many of the websites of individual state Departments of Motor Vehicles provide information and/or application forms for a disabled parking permit. ou may also check with your car hire company or contact a state travel/tourism office.
Useful websites
- American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
- Alabama MVD - disability access parking privileges
- Alaska DMV - disability parking permits
- Arizona MVD - special license plates and placards
- Arkansas DFA - specialty plates and placards
- California DMV - disabled person parking placard or plates
- Colorado DMV - disabled person's plates
- Connecticut DMV - disabled drivers
- Delaware DMV - handicapped plates or placards
- Florida DMV - disabled parking permits
- Georgia DOR - how to apply for a disability parking permit
- Hawaii DCAR - parking for persons with disabilities
- Idaho DMV - disability license plates and placards
- Illinois VSD - persons with disabilities license plates and placards
- Indiana IBOMV - application for disability parking placard or disability plate
- Iowa DOT - persons with disabilities parking law
- Kansas DMV - certification for disabled parking placard and/or plate
- Kentucky DMV - application for disabled persons special parking permit
- Louisiana DPS - mobility impaired frequently asked questions
- Maine BMV - application for disability plates/placards
- Maryland MVA - motorists with disabilities
- Massachusetts RMV - disabled placard/plate form
- Michigan DOS - disability parking placard application
- Minnesota DMV - disability parking
- Mississippi STC - disabled parking application
- Missouri DOR - disabled placards
- Montana MVD - disability permit application
- Nebraska DMV - handicapped parking permits
- Nevada DMV - disabled parking
- New Hampshire DMV - application for walking disability privileges
- New Jersey MVC - handicapped placards
- New Mexico MVD - certificate of eligibility for parking placard
- New York DMV - reserved parking for people with disabilities
- North Carolina DMV - handicapped placards/plates
- North Dakota DOT - application for mobility impaired parking permit
- Ohio BMV - application for disability placards
- Oklahoma DPS - handicapped parking placard application
- Oregon DMV - disabled person parking permit
- Pennsylvania DOT - persons with disability parking placard
- Rhode Island DMV - disability parking permit info
- South Carolina DMV - disabled placards and tags
- South Dakota DRR - disability parking
- Tennessee DOS - application for disabled person license and/or placard
- Texas DOT - disabled parking permits
- Utah DMV - disabled plates and placards
- Vermont DMV - disabled persons windshield placards
- Virginia DMV - disabled parking placard
- Washington State DOL - disabled parking
- West Virginia DMV - application and forms
- Wisconsin DOT - disabled parking identification card
- Wyoming DOT - handicap instructions
- District of Columbia - disability information
For further information, please contact Mary CRASS