Category One:

To be eligible for a category one permit:

• a Medical Practitioner must confirm that an individual has a significant ambulatory disability and they cannot access a vehicle in an ordinary parking bay, or they are required to use a complex walking aid* that prevents access to a vehicle in an ordinary parking bay, or
• a Medical Practitioner must confirm that an individual has either an acute or chronic illness in which minimal walking may endanger their health, or
• a Specialist Medical Practitioner or Clinical Psychologist must confirm that an individual is an extreme danger to themselves and others in a public place without assistance by a carer.

*A complex walking aid is defined as an aid which has more than one contact point with the ground.

Category Two

To be eligible for a category two permit:

• A Medical Practitioner must confirm that an individual has a significant ambulatory disability or severe illness which does not affect their ability to walk, however they require rest breaks when continuous walking is undertaken.

Temporary disability parking permits

Temporary permits will be issued to an individual ability to walk is significantly restricted on a temporary basis and is not likely to improve within six months.

Organisation disability parking permits

Organisations transporting individuals who meet the eligibility criteria are required to complete a separate application form. Eligible organisations will receive a permit for 12 months.

Types of disability parking permits

Within the categories one or two, councils may issue permits as follows:

• Code A – for a driver or passenger who has a significant intellectual or ambulatory disability
• Code B – for a passenger who has a significant intellectual or ambulatory disability
• Code C – for organisations transporting individuals with a disability
• Code D – for a temporary permit

A significant intellectual or ambulatory disability that is not likely to improve in an individual’s lifespan (Code A or Code B).

A significant long-term ambulatory disability that is not likely to improve within six months (Code D).

Parking for permit holders

A disability parking permit does not entitle the permit holder to free parking, unless stated on the permissive parking sign. Parking can differ from one local council to another and permit holders should always check the permissive parking sign.

A disability parking permit allows permit holders to park wherever there is a green or blue "permissive parking sign" such as these:

A disability parking permit does not allow permit holders to park where there is a red restrictive parking sign such as:

Category one (blue) and category two (green) permit holders are entitled to park for twice as long as indicated by a permissive parking sign (under Road Rule 206). The initial parking fee would have to be paid, but that payment would cover twice the length of time than it would for a non-permit holder. e.g. in a 1P parking bay upon payment of the initial parking fee for 1 hour the permit holder may park for up to 2 hours.

In addition, category one (blue) permit holders may park in reserved disability parking bays displaying the International Symbol of Access (ISA), to which a permissive parking sign applies.

Please take particular care when parking in car parks not displaying permissive parking signs, as parking concessions might not apply. For example car parks that require payment on exit are generally operated by contract rather than by using permissive parking signs under the Road Rules, and the amounts they charge for parking will apply equally to all users.