If you have a driver’s licence, you can make a change of address by using the Service québécois de changement d’adresse. Thanks to the Service québécois de changement d'adresse, you can notify many government services of your new address in a single, secure operation.
Without a driver’s licence
To make a change of address if you do not have a driver’s licence, you must telephone or write to a service outlet of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, or else go to a service outlet to do so in person.
Only one notice
If you have made a change of address for your driver’s licence, you do not have to do so for your disabled parking permit.
The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec issues a parking permit that is available to any disabled person who meets the eligibility requirements. The permit must be displayed by hanging it from the rearview mirror inside the vehicle being used by the permit holder.
The permit is issued with an accompanying certificate, which must be carried by the permit holder at all times as proof of authorization to use the permit.
The permit is attributed directly to the disabled person in whose name it is issued, not to a vehicle. It must be used for the needs of that person only and may not be loaned or transferred.
Before applying for a disabled parking permit, it should be noted that drivers are authorized under the Highway Safety Code to stop in a zone where stopping is normally prohibited if necessary in order to allow a disabled person to get into or out of a vehicle, provided it can be done safely.
Disabled parking spaces
Permit holders have access to disabled parking spaces throughout Québec. These parking spaces are identified by special signs prescribed by the Highway Safety Code . The permit is also recognized throughout Canada and in many other countries (check with the authorities in each country).
In Québec, municipalities are in charge of allotting parking spaces for disabled parking along public thoroughfares. Owners of public buildings must also provide a sufficient number of disabled parking spaces, based on the size of the adjacent parking lots.
Municipal police forces and the Sûreté du Québec are responsible for enforcing the rules for the use of disabled parking permits.
Clientele
The following persons and entities may apply for a disabled parking permit:
- disabled persons who are Québec residents;
- public institutions in the health care network;
- disabled persons who are not Québec residents and who hold a permit bearing the international symbol of access (a person in a wheelchair).
Conditions
To be eligible for a disabled parking permit, a disabled person must meet one of the following conditions:
- be required to use a wheelchair or adapted stroller insured by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec and provide proof that the wheelchair or stroller is insured;
- hold a driver’s licence with condition P (car with manual controls);
- submit an assessment prepared by an assessment professional recognized by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec showing that for 6 months the disabled person has had an impairment and suffered from a disability resulting in a loss of independence or jeopardizing the person's health and safety when travelling distances not requiring the use of a means of transport. The assessor may be one of the following:
- a special education teacher in the health care network;
- an occupational therapist;
- a nurse;
- a physician;
- an optometrist;
- a physiotherapist;
- a psychologist.
To apply for the permit, a public institution must
- be a public institution within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services or the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons ;
- be the owner of a vehicle that is equipped with a device to secure wheelchairs against movement.
To apply for the permit, a disabled person who is not a Québec resident must hold a disabled parking permit issued by his or her province or country of origin and submit proof authenticating the permit.
The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec has issued disabled parking permits since 1998.
