Disability parking permit Australia

Australian disability parking permits are issued in South Australia for people with disability and organisations that provide transport services.  


What is the new Australian disability parking scheme? 
Who can apply? 
How to apply - individuals
How to apply - organisations 
Renewing permits 
Replacement permits 
Disability parking permit conditions 
Parking concessions 
Displaying the permit   
Misuse of the permit
Cancelling the permit 

What is the new Australian disability parking scheme?

The current disabled person's parking permit will be recognised as a valid permit until 31 March 2011 and only the new Australian disability parking permit will be recognised after this date.

For more information see Australian disability parking scheme  on the Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website. 

 

Who can apply?

You can apply for an Australian disability parking permit in South Australia if you are:

• a person whose ability to use public transport is significantly impeded by a physical impairment that significantly restricts speed of movement and use of public transport 
• an organisation that provides transport services to at least four persons with disabilities.

A temporary Australian disability parking permit may be issued to a person whose disability is likely to last for more than six months but is not permanent.

How to apply - individuals 

Step 1: Complete the application for an Australian disability parking permit  (PDF 338KB).

Step 2: Ask a medical practitioner to complete and sign the relevant parts of the application.

Step 3: Return the application to a Service SA customer service centre with the required fee.

How to apply - organisations

Step 1: Complete the application for an organisation requiring an Australian disability parking permit  (PDF 338KB).

Step 2: Declare that the permit will only be used when transporting persons who fit the above definition.

Step 3: Return the application to a Service SA customer service centre with the required fee.

Renewing permits

To remind permit holders that their permit is due to expire - an invitation to renew is sent to the holder (who hold a five year permit) six weeks prior to the expiry of their permit.

The applicant is required to complete this form and either personally attend, or post the invitation (with the appropriate fee) to your nearest Service SA customer service centre or directly to the Australian disability parking permit clerk at GPO Box 1533 Adelaide 5001.

The physical permit will not be forwarded until payment is received. The turnaround time for permits to be renewed is two weeks. To allow for the turnaround period, clients should renew their permit within two weeks of expiry.

Replacement permits

If a permit is lost or stolen or damaged, a letter with a brief outline of the reason a replacement is needed will need to be completed and addressed to the Australian disability parking permit clerk.

The letter can either be faxed or mailed or you can personally attend your nearest Service SA customer service centre where a customer service officer will forward your letter to the Australian disability parking permit clerk. The information must include:

• full name of the applicant
• date of birth
• current address 
• permit number (if known).

Fax: 8402 1977

Mail to: Department of Transport Energy and Infrastructure
Australian disability parking permit clerk
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001

The turnaround time for a replacement permit to be mailed out is two weeks.

Disability parking permit conditions

An Australian disability parking permit can be issued for up to five years.

A temporary Australian disability parking permit cannot be issued for more than one year. The permit:

• is valid if the vehicle is being used to transport the permit holder
• allows the vehicle to be parked in parking spaces which are signposted and have the people with disabilities symbol painted on the road surface.

If a sign indicates that a time limit applies to disability parking space there is no additional time allowed.

Parking concessions

In addition to the new permit, national minimum parking concessions have been introduced in South Australia. The new concessions are:
If the time limit on the parking sign is:

• less than 30 minutes, the time limit for a disability parking permit holder will be 30 minutes; or
• 30 minutes or more but less than one hour, the time limit for a disability parking permit holder will be two hours; or
• more than one hour, the time limit for a disability parking permit holder will be twice the period indicated on the sign.

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Displaying the permit

• Permits must only be used when the vehicle is being used to transport the permit holder.
• The permit only needs to be displayed when parking under the above conditions.
• Permits must be clearly displayed so the permit number and expiry date are visible from the exterior of the vehicle.
• Hook permits must be removed from display before the vehicle is driven. This is to ensure the permit does not obscure the vision of the driver.
  

Misuse of the permit

A person must not display or allow a permit to be displayed other than to transport the holder of the permit, or if the permit is issued to an organisation, for the transport of a person with a disability to whom the organisation provides services.

Cancelling the permit

An Australian disability parking permit may be cancelled if the holder of the permit is no longer eligible for the permit or if the holder of the permit is convicted of misuse.