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What is the Penalty for Illegal Parking in a Space Designated for Persons with Disabilities?
It’s common to find people without disabled parking permits station their vehicles in disabled parking spaces, which is illegal. Usually, that requires a verified permit, and not having it is a deliberate breach of the law. Fair to say, however, it sometimes happens erroneously with the perpetrator being unaware, but that still attracts a penalty.
The key argument behind this heavy policing with mistaken parking in disabled spaces is that it inconveniences disabled drivers across the country. That stresses them not knowing where to station their cars in public spaces, exacerbating their misery and making their lives more difficult.
The laws dealing with parking on disabled spaces illegally are specific but varied to each state. And although each state adopts its own rules, regulations, punishments, and enforcement methods, there seems to be a trail of inconsistencies applying across the states.
This in-depth article answers these questions: What are the penalties for illegal parking in disabled parking areas? What is the amount of fine to pay for? Do you get a ticket for it? Read on to learn more about why illegal parking in spaces designated for persons with disabilities attracts a penalty.
How do you recognize a disabled parking bay?
Parking spaces designated for people with disabilities have a conspicuous wheelchair symbol that identifies them. It’s an international symbol of access recognized globally and is familiar to all states. The image is usually painted on a standing board for easy sight. Missing such high-placed signs is often rare since, in addition, the color used to paint is generally bright. Also, this symbol can be painted on the ground where the vehicle will park. In this case, the logo usually covers the entire breadth and can be spotted from far. Also, the color used is typically bright and can be spotted in the darkness.
Is it illegal to park in a disabled parking bay?
It is illegal for people with no disabled parking permit to park in spaces designated for disabled individuals. Non-permit holders have no right to park their vehicles for any length of day or night, and any breaches can lead to sanctions and penalties. With illegal parking, there are no exceptions of unaware or erroneous vehicle stationing, and that usually attracts a similar punishment as it’s with when done deliberately. However, a disabled person as a passenger driven by someone else won’t count as a breach, and the vehicle can pack without potential penalties.
Who is allowed to pack in a disabled parking bay?
Anyone having a disabled parking permit can park in such spaces. That doesn’t include people for who a disabled person has lent a permit since it’s heavily punishable. Besides, people having illegal disability placards usually face the full wrath of the law. However, any vehicle carrying a disabled person as a passenger is exempted from facing any penalty. Otherwise, a permit holder has the right to park in the designated space as it’s supposed to be.
No specific vehicle type or cycle is limited to access the parking space since motorcycles, vans, cars, or trucks have the green light. Even for larger buses transporting multitudes of people with disabilities, there’s usually no restriction that bars them. Nonetheless, there are also designated parking bays that can station large buses if the space is limited.
Ideally, any vehicle transporting a disabled permit holder has the right to pack in any disabled parking space for any given period. That technically exempts them from facing any punishments or severe fines.
How to make sure you’re not wrongly penalized for parking in a disabled space?
Be sure to display the permit so that it’s visible when traveling to avoid any instances of the wrong penalization. Usually, an ideal place to display the permit is placing it on the dashboard for the police to see when you’re packed.
When moving, be sure to stow it in the glove compartment, for instance, or any other safe place you can find. And when parked, restore it to the dashboard and ensure that it’s visible from the outside. You can still hang it on the rearview mirror, where it’s visible from the outside.
What is the penalty for parking illegally in a disabled parking bay?
Generally, most states hold fines as a standard form of punishment, but that usually varies in each one of them. Some, however, will tow the vehicle away when they find that it’s illegally parked, and the driver will have to pay for it.
Some states jail the perpetrators for up to six months if they find that they’ve parked their vehicles in handicap parking spaces without a handicap placard. Nonetheless, that rarely occurs unless the offender is persistently stubborn with repeat offenses or has refused to pay the fine stamped on their head.
What is the fine for parking in a disabled parking space?
The fine stamped upon the offenders’ heads usually varies, but a standard $100 is typically common. However, it varies according to state and can fall between $20 and $250.
Can you get a ticket for parking in a handicapped space on private property?
You get equal punishment with illegal private disabled parking similar to public disabled parking since it’s cross-cutting. That includes areas such as airports and malls containing disabled spaces. Usually, you get ticketed, but the possibility of getting fined or stamped with other punishments is highly likely. However, not all state will ticket you for breaching the disabled parking law since the penalties are varied.
Do the penalties differ for parking in a private disabled parking space?
The penalties are usually similar, whether on public or private property, since both constitute a violation of the disabled parking law. However, the severity varies in every state.
How do you get a disabled parking permit?
You can apply for a disabled parking permit online in the comfort of your home or by making a quote through websites that specialize in this craft. The glad tiding is that you’ll work with qualified professionals and the process is pretty easy. If you feel any need for a more rigorous engagement, you can contact the customer support center, and you’ll get served straight away!
