Do you wish to read about disabled parking permit NSW rules? An Australian disability parking permit is a document that permits people with disabilities to park in specific spots and take advantage of particular parking benefits. However, not everyone gets to waltz into a designated parking space for the disabled.
You can use this parking if you have a permanent or temporary disability that significantly impacts your ability to walk due to permanent or temporary loss. This includes disabilities like paraplegia, quadriplegia, blindness, or conditions requiring walking aids like wheelchairs or crutches. This applies is cases of Clinically Recognised Disabilities (CRD).
Read on to learn about disabled parking permit NSW rules.
What Does NSW Government Say?
The NSW Government sets out disabled parking permit NSW rules. The NSW Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit empowers disabled drivers. It grants access to designated parking concessions, making your journeys smoother and less stressful. Here are the types of mobility parking scheme permits:
1. Individual Permit (Blue Card):
This permit is valid for 5 years. For example, conditions like paraplegia, blindness, or needing constant wheelchair or crutch assistance. This blue card provides designated parking bays and concessions.
2. Temporary Permit (Red Card):
This card grants parking privileges for up to 6 months if your disability is temporary. Imagine a broken leg or a surgery recovery period. This red card provides similar benefits to the blue card, but remember, its validity has an expiration date.
3. Organisation Permit (Green Card):
This one’s for the heroes behind the wheels: organisations transporting people with disabilities. Think community transport services, taxis, or charities. This green card ensures their passengers with disabilities have convenient access to designated parking bays while being transported.
Disabled Parking Permit NSW Rules: Application Procedure
- Download the application form or get one from a service centre.
- Get a medical report: Your doctor confirms your eligibility and fills out the form’s medical section.
- Photo or exemption? You may need a photo at a service centre. If exempt due to disability, apply for an exemption with a doctor’s letter beforehand.
- Checklist for application:
- Completed form
- Signed medical report
- Payment (unless exempt)
- Proof of identity (yours and your representative’s, if applicable)
- Photo (check if needed)
- Photo exemption letter (if applicable)
- Submit your application:
- Online (preferred) or at a service centre.
- If applying in person, you must do it yourself, not through a representative.
Once all of the steps about disabled parking permit NSW rules are done, you’ll receive a decision by mail within 2 weeks. Don’t use your disability parking until your permit is approved.
FAQs: Where to Park and Not Park?
Q: Where Can You Park With Your Disability Parking Permit?
1. Designated disability parking spaces: Look for the international symbol of access. Remember, the vehicle must be transporting the permit holder and display the mobility parking permit correctly. For other vehicles, these spaces are no-stopping zones.
2. Time-limited parking areas: Enjoy extended parking times compared to regular vehicles. In spaces with time limits:
- Over 30 minutes: Enjoy unlimited parking.
- 30 minutes: Relax for up to 2 hours.
- Less than 30 minutes: Stay for a maximum of 30 minutes.
3. Metered, coupon, or ticket parking areas: Park for free in council and on-street parking areas.
Q: Where Can’t You Park With Your Disability Parking Permit?
1. No-parking zones: According to disabled parking permit NSW rules, you can only make brief stops (up to 5 minutes) to drop off or pick up passengers/goods. Moreover, you must stay within 3 meters of the vehicle.
2. Privately operated car parks: Concessions don’t apply here. You need to pay any fees and follow their rules.
3. No-stopping signs, taxi stands, bus zones, loading zones, construction zones, or clearways: Your mobility parking scheme permit doesn’t override these restrictions.
Q: Are There Any Existing Laws That Govern Disabled Parking Permit Nsw Rules?
Yes. Regulation 203 of the Road Rules 2014 states that it is illegal to park in disabled spots unless you have a mobility parking permit scheme. This rule says you can’t park your car in a spot designated for people with disabilities unless you have two things:
- A valid disability parking permit: This permit needs to be displayed on your vehicle.
- You follow the rules of the permit: Each permit may have specific conditions, like time limits or designated areas.
Breaking this rule can cost you money! The maximum penalty is 20 penalty units.
Q: What Counts as a Disabled Parking Spot?
Disabled parking permit NSW rules states that any of these signs counts as a disabled parking spot:
- A blue sign with the international symbol of accessibility (wheelchair symbol).
- Words that say “Disabled Parking” or something similar.
- A painted symbol on the ground (the international symbol of accessibility).
Q: What Will Doctors Assess In Disability Parking Permit Applicants?
1. Eligibility:
- Verifying if the applicant has a disability affecting mobility or significant visual impairment.
- Checking if they meet specific criteria like difficulty walking 100m, needing mobility aids, or having permanent blindness.
- Not completing the certificate if the applicant doesn’t meet the criteria.
2. Fitness to drive (NSW licence holders):
- Conducting a Fitness to Drive assessment for new applicants or renewals exceeding specific durations.
- Completing the medical report section on the application form.
- Referring the applicant to a specialist if unsure about their medical fitness.
3. Providing photo exemption letters (optional):
- Issuing letters for applicants with specific reasons for not attending a service center or meeting photo requirements.
- Clearly stating the reason for exemption in the letter.
How Can We Help?
Is your application for a disability parking permit denied? JB Solicitors can help you understand the reasons for the denial and advise you on your options for appealing the decision. Our traffic lawyers can review your case, gather evidence, and represent you in any appeals processes.
People can also seek compensation if you believe that you have been discriminated due to your disability parking permits. Do not hesitate to know more about disabled parking permit NSW rules and how our legal advice can help.
Contact us today for a consultation if you need help securing mobility parking permits.
