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Driving in Europe: Disabled Parking Permits

Driving in Europe: Disabled Parking Permits

Old Mar 27th, 2008, 11:51 AM
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Driving in Europe: Disabled Parking Permits

A reader, from the US, wrote in to ask what the policy was regarding the usage of disabled parking permits/placards in Italy. My stepfather is in a wheelchair and we've talked about going somewhere in Europe together one day so I'd be curious for the answer as well. I'll be sure to send this thread along to the reader.

I found some mention of a universal EU blue card, but I couldn't find whether U.S. cards would suffice.
This is the EU badge:
http://www.cemt.org/topics/handicaps/pdf/EUbadgeE.pdf

Can anyone shed light on this?
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Old Mar 27th, 2008, 01:11 PM
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This might help:

http://disabled-travelers-services.s...arking_permits
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Old Mar 27th, 2008, 01:15 PM
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Special rules apply to people with European Standard parking discs. To get a disc, you normally have to apply in a European country, and meet local qualification guidelines. Some of the rules are here:

http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/...rk-europe.html

There's a real problem in congested parts of Europe with fake disability cards, which really piss the neighbours off. There's also the problem of privatised parking enforcement, where meter maids get a bonus for every illegal they clamp or harrass. So don't automatically expect non-European cards to be rspected.

Last time this came up, some Americans and Australians reported pleasant experiences with non-European cards being treated in a civilised way, and I'm sure this is true in a lot of Europe. But personally, I wouldn't risk it in central London or along the prom in Cannes or Nice in midsummer.

I THINK there's a way qualifying people who don't live in Europe can apply, but can't find it.
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Old Mar 28th, 2008, 11:49 AM
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Thanks--I'll dig around from there.
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Old Mar 28th, 2008, 11:49 AM
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I meant "here" actually.

Wonder if those EU cards fly here in the U.S. I'm assuming no.
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Old Mar 28th, 2008, 12:23 PM
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The official UK position on non-EU residents is at:
http://tiny.cc/ai95R The legal position's the same everywhere else in the EU.

The official UK advice to UK residents travelling to the US is at http://tiny.cc/LZSO4

If you go through the mechanics for applying for a Blue Badge at http://tiny.cc/xTSiF , you'll see it's impractical for a non-resident to apply for one. You just have to hope the local enforcers have a heart.
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Old Mar 28th, 2008, 12:29 PM
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Hi K,

The folks at my local Highway Patrol Post say that valid permits are accepted regardless of country.

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Old Mar 30th, 2008, 10:38 AM
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Hello-I'm new here, and at a friend's suggestion (who is a member) I tried following flanneruk's link in his/her post to get more information about using a disabled placard:

<paste>
The official UK position on non-EU residents is at:
http://tiny.cc/ai95R The legal position's the same everywhere else in the EU.
<end paste>

That link at tinycc/ai95R took me to a site with a rather scantily clad young woman in multiple images with a hot link underneath her photos saying "play her". There was a link at the top of the page that might have taken me to a proper page with information on this topic but I was concerned I'd been inadvertently spoofed/scammed to the wrong page, so I just closed it before I got redirected.

I have no wish to trod on anyone's toes here but i was so startled to see that page appear that I thought it best to report it, and I didn't know how else to do it.

Please forgive my clumsy first posting but I thought it best to bring this up.

I was able to find out what I needed to know from one of the other postings on the subject. It seems that US placards will work in the UK, but we need to be aware of what they do and don't permit us to do.

Many thanks,
SF_Native
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Old Mar 30th, 2008, 11:02 AM
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That's off, SF Native - link worked just fine for me. Any chance you have a virus on your machine?
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Old Mar 30th, 2008, 11:11 AM
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That website tiny.cc makes long URLs short.

The ads you see on their website refinance that service. The ads change, so next time you click on the link in this thread you may see ads for language schools or online gaming. Or for another dating website like the one you probably saw.

Nothing to worry about.
Clicking on babes is optional.
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Old Mar 30th, 2008, 01:37 PM
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Well, this sounds like Governor Spitzer's idea of a date.

Do you think this could be a prank by some bored kid on Spring Break?
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Old Mar 30th, 2008, 02:00 PM
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I'm really, really sorry I shortened the URLs so as not to distort the way this page presents

I promise not to waste my time doing this again. Heaven forbid the old maids who frequent this site might actually press on a link and find out some real information.

Isn't there something serious you can whinge about? Like the short skirts girls wear these days?
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Old Mar 30th, 2008, 02:16 PM
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The Blue Tag Handicap (hang) tag used in the USA is acceptable in most of Europe. We have used in many countries from Norway to Italy, to Ireland to France with not a problem whatsoever. We always check and show it at the rental car company and not once we've been told is not acceptable.
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Old Mar 30th, 2008, 07:50 PM
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I don't know any old maids on this site, but you may occasionally encounter some folks behaving like old farts. Just ignore their harumphing.

SF Native, welcome to Fodors. Hope you will continue to post. Your concern seemed sincere, with no hint of whinging.

Well, I must run off to the mall. I need to buy some go-go boots to wear with my short skirts.



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Old Oct 19th, 2012, 10:30 AM
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Members and associated members of the EU (This includes the US) have reciprocity concerning the blue handicapped placards. You can access all the information at this website:

http://www.internationaltransportfor...y/parking.html

This is a great site because you can go to the individual countries and see their regulations.

It updates nearly all the comments made so far. The only problem I had was in finding info for Slovakia, and a bit more research got me that as well.
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