If you have a disability, you could qualify for a parking permit from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec. The permit allows you to use reserved parking spaces, regardless whether you are the driver of the vehicle or a passenger.
If a disability prevents you from getting around independently or without risk to your health or safety, you can apply for a disabled parking permit. Whether you are the driver or a passenger, the permit authorizes you to use parking spaces reserved for disabled persons.
The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) will provide you with:
- a disabled parking permit, to hang from the interior rear-view mirror (or a sticker to affix to the licence plate, in the case of a motorcycle or moped)
- a certificate, which you must have with you whenever you are using the permit
Unless it is a sticker, a disabled parking permit is not associated with any particular vehicle: it may be used in any vehicle, but only for the needs of the disabled person. It must not be loaned or transferred. A permit holder who fails to respect the conditions for use is liable to a fine.
However, note that all drivers, with or without a disabled parking permit, are authorized to stop in a location where stopping is usually prohibited (e.g. at the door of a building) to take on or let out a disabled person, as long as this can be done safely.
Renewal
You must renew your disabled parking permit before it expires.
If your disability is:
- permanent, you will receive a renewal notice from the SAAQ about 2 months before the date of expiry (if you lose the notice or do not receive it, contact the SAAQ’s Centre de relations avec la clientèle)
- temporary, you must apply for a new disabled parking permit
Cancellation
When a disabled parking permit is no longer needed (e.g. if the disability is temporary or the permit holder dies), both the permit and the certificate must be returned promptly to the SAAQ.
The Société has issued disabled parking permits since 1998.
