I have a US relative who comes to visit here in Toronto. When he rents a car here, he hangs his home-based handicapped permit on his rear-view mirror. The permit is a legal one -- there's no problem with ethics or anything, but I'm just wondering if he's still liable to get a ticket here for parking in a handicapped spot.

Anyone know?

... US handicap permits are honored equally in Canada... however they are registered to the Person and not any particular vehicle, so that person must be in the vehicle when used...

What may surprise your friend is that Canadian handicap rules allow some free parking on the street in designated areas... check the rules for your area...

Thanks, gary. I'll do that.

Actually what may amaze your friends is how limited "free" street parking is in Canada. everywhere i have travelled in the USA and Europe a disabled driver plaque gets you free unlimited parking ( even at meters) 24/7 except in tow away zones.

Try that in Vancouver and you'll get a ticket. here in Victoria one only gets a free hour after paying the meter.

cheers
AndrewDavid

AndrewD... US law does NOT allow free meter parking unless the local community passes it as an exception... you just haven't been caught yet...

well i've parked in seattle, san francisco, santa fe, santa barbara , denver, and salt lake among other places. when i travel to the usa , i always ask an enforcement official and have always been told i can park as long as i need. i've not been everywhere, but it's always been permitted where i've travelled. where do you live where it has not been permitted?

cheers
AndrewDavid

I just looked up the law for handicapped parking... that's what the law stated... I guess asking an enforcement official gets you free parking...

cheers