Disability Parking in NSW

Disability parking permits prioritise accessibility for individuals with disabilities in Australia, aligning with the SCHADS Award and other important initiatives.

In NSW, to obtain a disability parking permit, you need to apply for a Mobility Parking Scheme permit with Services NSW. If you have one of these permits, then you can also apply for an Australian Disability Parking Permit. When you have this you can travel between states, for no extra cost.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Mobility Parking permit, a person must be unable to walk because of

• permanent or temporary loss of the use of one or both legs, or other permanent medical or physical condition, is detrimentally affected as a result of walking 100 metres, or who requires the use of crutches, a walking frame, callipers, scooter, wheelchair, or other similar mobility aid.
• Permits are also available to people who meet the permanently blind criteria.

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What parking benefits does a NSW DPP entitle you to?

The NSW Mobility Parking Scheme permit entitles the holder to park in any parking bays marked with the disabled parking bay sign. This is the universal blue sign of a stick figure in a wheelchair.

It also gives the holder concessions in other parking spaces – such as extending the time period you can park there.

The rules for those other non-specified disabled parking spots for extending time limits are where parking:

• is limited by a sign to less than 30 minutes, as a valid DPP holder, you can park there for a maximum of 30 minutes
• signs specify you can park there for 30 minutes, a disabled parking permit allows the holder park there for up to 2 hours.
• signs specify more than 30 minutes, then the valid disabled parking permit holders can park there for an unlimited period of time.
• Mobility parking scheme permit holders can stop in a no-parking zone for up to 5 minutes to drop off or pick up passengers or goods as long as the driver remains within 3m of the vehicle

In terms of PAYMENT for on-street Council parking, there are concessions. If you hold a valid DPP, you can enjoy free parking for a certain period of time in designated zones. This applies to parking zones with meters or ticket machines. Remember that concession rates for permits for Disability Parking in NSW are only valid on street or Council car parks.

Privately operated car parking areas with boom gates do not benefit from the general government concessions on time and payment. It’s up to each individual parking operator at each site, so be sure to check these before you enter.

Complying with the conditions of the DPP:  Enforcement

You must display your DPP on your vehicle at all times. And you must use the vehicle to transport the person who the permit has been issued to.

You need to insert your NSW permit card into the Australian Disability Parking Permit, and display both when parking.

If you use a DPP that has expired or is invalid, then you may be up for heavy fines. Council rangers and often police officers will patrol areas, and cross-check them against the system for validity. If they are invalid or expired, they can issue you with a heavy fine.

What you can’t do with a Disability Parking Permit

Mobility parking scheme permits do not allow a vehicle to stand or park in areas signposted:

• no stopping

• taxi zone

• bus zone

• loading zone

• work zone

• clearway.

For more information on the NSW DPP Scheme and how to apply, click here

We have seen a rise in sales of our remote control parking bollards to prevent unauthorised drivers from abusing disabled parking bays. It’s much easier for disabled drivers to use remote control to activate the automatic parking bollard. Especially for physically impaired drivers. It’s also a highly effective deterrent.

Councils and enforcement officers struggle to enforce the use of disability parking bays. We hope that in time more drivers will respect disabled parking bays to be left for those truly in need. In the meantime, our remote control automatic parking bollards help keep unauthorised drivers out. They do this by installing a physical deterrent to stop them parking there. Learn more about our remote control parking bollards and how easy they are to use at https://thatsmyspot.com.au/product-category/remote-control-parking-bollards/