ACT Mobility Parking Scheme and Australian Disability Parking Scheme

This page contains information about the Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) and the Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ADPS) in the Australian Capital Territory.

ACT Mobility Parking Scheme

Australian Disability Parking Scheme

ACT Mobility Parking Scheme

Special parking spaces are provided for people with mobility disabilities.  These spaces are usually adjacent to shops and offices to allow people issued with a mobility parking permit to park close to their destination.  They are also larger than normal to provide extra room around the vehicle for wheelchair and walking aid access.

To ensure that spaces are available to people that need them most, the ACT Road Transport Authority (the Authority) issues MPS permits to eligible people.  Parking Operations and the police enforce the use of MPS spaces to ensure that parking is available for MPS permit holders.

• ACT Disabled Parking Review—July 2008

Eligibility

To be eligible for a MPS permit a person must:

• Be unable to walk and/or have pain or difficulty in walking 100 metres;
• Require the use of crutches, a walking frame, callipers, a scooter, a wheelchair or other mobility aid; or
• Be blind.

Organisations are eligible for MPS permits if they provide transport for people who meet the eligibility criteria.

Parking Concessions

An MPS permit allows a person to park in the special wide bays and on-street parking bays reserved for MPS permit holders.  Some of these spaces have a time limit which must be observed by MPS permit holders.  

MPS permit holders can also park free of charge at meters and in ticket parking areas:

• For up to 2 hours, if the time limit on the parking sign is 30 minutes or less; and
• For an unlimited time, if the time limit on the parking sign is more than 30 minutes.

The same extended time limits apply to other government car parks and on-street parking spaces that are free, but time restricted.  For example:

• If the time limit on the parking sign is 15 minutes, a permit holder can park for 2 hours; and
• If the time limit on the parking sign is 1 hour, a permit holder can park for an unlimited time.

Parking Restrictions

A MPS permit holder cannot park where parking is reserved for other road users such as loading zones, bus zones or areas designated for other permit holders such as medical practitioners and nurses.  Like other road users, MPS permit holders cannot park between “No Stopping” signs or in other areas where parking is prohibited.

Types of MPS Permits

There are three categories of MPS permits available:

• Temporary permits require certification from a medical practitioner and automatically expire after the set period, which can be 3, 6 or 12 months;
• Long term permits are issued if a condition may change and require medical certification every 3 years; and
• Permanent permits are issued where the person’s condition is permanent, and only requires an initial medical certification.

Conditions of use

The person or organisation with a MPS permit must display it at the bottom left hand corner of their vehicle’s windscreen so the permit faces out.  The person to whom the permit is issued must be either the driver or passenger in the vehicle.

A permit that is no longer required by the person must be returned to the Authority.  The Authority may revoke a permit if it is misused.

There is no fee for this type of parking permit.

Applications

Applicants and their doctor must complete the MPS application form which can be downloaded below.

To download the application form select the following link:

Mobility parking permit application

Australian Disability Parking Scheme

The Australian Government in conjunction with State and Territory Governments has undertaken a process to harmonise disability parking schemes across Australia.

The outcome of this process is the development of the new Australian Disability Parking Scheme (ADPS) that includes a consistent permit design to replace over 100 different permit designs across Australia.

The Australian Disability Parking Permit (ADPP) is to be rolled-out across Australia progressively, commencing in Tasmania on Wednesday 8 September 2010.

ACT residents with a disability will be able to apply for an ADPP from Monday 1 November 2010, while existing ACT mobility parking permit holders will receive their new ADPP in the mail from Monday 22 November 2010.  Where an ACT permit is due to expire prior to 1 April 2011 the permit holder will receive their permit upon renewal.

Disability parking permits issued in the ACT will consist of the ACT mobility parking permit (with the permit number and expiry date displayed) inserted into the plastic pocket of the ADPP.  Both permits need to be displayed together as a single permit, with the permit number and expiry date clearly visible from outside the vehicle.

The ACT Road Transport Authority will continue to be the administering authority for the new ADPP within the ACT.  This includes renewals and application processes.

New national minimum standards for parking concessions will also be introduced at various times in each State and Territory.  However, the existing parking concessions provided by the ACT Government to disability parking permit holders in the ACT will continue to be provided and are not affected by the national minimum standards for disability parking.

More information

The Frequently Asked Questions provide more information about the Australian Disability Parking Scheme.  You can also visit the Australian Government's website at www.disabilityparking.gov.au