What is the purpose of the Disabled Person's Parking Scheme?
The statewide Disabled Persons' Parking Scheme currently operates in Victoria varying parking concessions based on the applicant's need for assistance.
Under category one, permit holders with significant intellectual or ambulatory disabilities who meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to park a vehicle in a bay reserved for disabled motorists only, for a specified time (upon payment of an initial parking fee, if applicable).
Under category two, permit holders who require rest breaks when walking may park a vehicle in any ordinary area or bay for twice the specified time (upon payment of any initial parking fee, if applicable).
Category two permit holders are not permitted to park in disabled persons' parking bays.
Types of Permits
Code A for a disabled driver/passenger;
Code B for a disabled passenger;
Code C for an organisation providing a transport service for people with disabilities;
Code D for a temporary permit.
Who is Eligible?
Category One
- A person may hold only one disabled person's parking permit and be eligible for it:
if a Medical Practitioner indicates that he/she has significant ambulatory disability such that he/she is required to use a complex walking aid that prevents access to a vehicle in a standard sized parking bay, or he/she cannot access a vehicle in a standard sized bay (Code A or B). A complex walking aid is defined as an aid which has more than one contact point with the ground.
OR
- if a Medical Practitioner indicates that he/she suffers from a condition which is critical or dangerous to their health, which may be either chronic or acute, and affects the applicant's ambulatory ability to such an extent that walking distances is injurious (as opposed to inconvenient) (Code A or B). A significant permanent ambulatory disability is a disability that is not likely to improve in the person's lifespan (Code A or B). A significant long-term ambulatory disability is a disability that is not likely to improve within six months (Code D).
OR
- if a Specialist Medical Practitioner or a Clinical Psychologist indicates that he/she has a significant intellectual disability such that he/she is an extreme danger to himself/herself and others in a public place without continuous attendance by a caregiver (Code B).
Category Two
A person may only hold one disabled persons' parking permit and be eligible for it:
- if a Medical Practitioner indicates that he/she has a significant ambulatory disability or severe illness which does not affect their ability to walk distances but will require rest breaks when continuous walking is undertaken.
What concessions are available?
You are entitled to one permit only which allows you to park your vehicle:
Category One
- in a special area or bay for people with disabilities, for the time and parking fee specified for that area or bay, if applicable;
OR
- or twice the specified time for any ordinary parking area or by, upon payment of any initial parking fee, if applicable.
Category Two
- for twice the specified time for any ordinary parking area or by, upon payment of any initial parking fee, if applicable.
Parking is not permitted in restricted locations such as Clearways, No Standing and No Parking Areas, Taxi Only Areas, Bus Zones, Authorised Resident Areas, etc.
Councils provide a mix of wide and ordinary size disabled parking bays depending on the facilities to be accessed. To assist people with disabilities who require additional space when entering and leaving a vehicle, permit holders who are able to do so, should use ordinary parking bays, leaving the wide bays for those who need the space.
If you are eligible for the Scheme you should receive a copy of the 'Conditions of Use' with your permit.
How to apply
Application forms are available from municipal councils. Permits will only be issued to permanent residents of a municipality. The first part of the application form must be completed by you or your agent. The rest of the application form should be completed by the Specialist Medical Practitioner or Clinical Psychologist for intellectual disabilities and the Medical Practitioner for all other disabilities. You or your agent are responsible for any fees incurred in the completion of the form. Your authority for the Medical Practitioner/ specialist Medical Practitioner/Clinical Psychologist to release medical information is to be signed and given to him/her. An organisation providing a transport service to a disabled is required to complete a separate application form.
Permit Renewal
If you have a permanent disability you will be issued with a permit for three years.. Temporary permits will be issued for a disability that is not likely to improve within six months and a further medical certificate must be presented for renewal of the permit. Organisations will receive a permit for 12 months.
Permit Cancellation
A permit is automatically cancelled after the expiry date and may be cancelled at any time for wilful misuse or breach of the Conditions of Use. Such cancellation shall be notified in writing. Penalties may be imposed for misuse of the permit. Further information may be obtained from your local council.
Refusal of an application
Where an application is refused, the council must give reasons for its decision in writing and reconsider your application if you seed a second opinion from another Medical Practitioner or Clinical Psychologist.
Travelling Interstate
Permits can be used anywhere in Australia. Parking concessions may be different in other states or territories and you should check the conditions applying to the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme in the state or territory you intend to visit. A brochure giving some details regarding interstate Schemes is available from your local council.
