Accessible car parking spaces are strictly reserved for holders of the disabled parking permits.
These spaces are essential for people with disabilities and immobility needs to allow them to enjoy safe and independent access to shops, banks, medical appointments and other services our towns provide.
Accessible car parking spaces are usually larger than other parking spaces which allows motorists/passengers with disabilities to operate a passenger lift, open a door wide enough to transferring in and out of the vehicle or get access to a mobility aid.
When disabled parking spaces are full, a person holding a parking permit for people with disabilities can park their vehicle in any designated parking pay and display the permit.
Accessible parking bays are usually provided in the ratio of 1:25 spaces and are located throughout each town. The bays are usually coloured blue with an accessible logo marking.
'Back in 5' Campaign
The “Back In 5” campaign reminds motorists that it is an offence to park in a disabled parking space without an official disabled drivers parking permit. We ask drivers to obey current parking regulations and above all please THINK before you park.
The following offences are subject to fixed charge parking fines:
- Parking or stopping a vehicle in a designated disabled persons space. This shall not apply to a vehicle in which is display a disabled person parking permit and which is parked for the convenience of the person to whom the permit was granted (Article 44 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997 as amended). Fixed penalty parking fine of €150 is applicable.
- A person who is not the holder of a disabled persons parking permit shall not park a vehicle in which is displayed a disabled persons parking permit in a disabled persons parking bay unless it is parked for the convenience of the person to whom the permit was granted (Road Traffic (Parking in Disabled Person’s Parking Bay) 2022 (SI 427 of 2022)). Fixed penalty parking fine of €200 is applicable. This offence will be applicable from 1st January 2023.
For more information on whether you are eligible for a disabled parking permit and how to apply for one you can contact the following organisations: