Designated disabled parking

The Province of New Brunswick issues parking placards and permits for persons with disabilities to promote designated parking spaces for persons with disabilities. 

The intent of this program is to limit eligibility for the parking permit and placard for person(s) having a disability to situations where the person has a significant degree of mobility impairment caused by paralysis, lower limb amputation, heart or lung disease or other health problems that would cause difficulty walking unassisted more than 50 m in outdoor weather conditions. The placard and parking permit may be obtained upon application at Service New Brunswick Centres without charge. 

Applications must be signed by one of the following: a physician, occupation therapist, nurse practitioner or physiotherapist. The Motor Vehicle Act prohibits the use of designated parking spaces for persons with mobility impairments unless the appropriate identification is displayed inside the vehicle. 

Placards are the property of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and must be returned to a Service New Brunswick location immediately if:  

• they are no longer required by the person for whom they were issued 
• they have expired and a new placard is required 
• they have been mutilated or defaced in any way (such placards are void)

Placards must be clearly displayed.

The person the placard was issued for must be getting out of the vehicle at that stop.

Users of parking permits for persons with disabilities must obey all laws and procedures related to general parking provisions.  

Disabled parking permits are issued only for the use of one designated person. They are not transferable and may not be loaned to anyone else.  

For further information, contact Service New Brunswick or the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

Parking spaces reserved for persons with severe mobility problems are not a privilege. They are a necessity meant to improve the quality and dignity of their lives. Eligible placard holders need these parking spaces to accomplish everyday tasks. Any use of those spaces by a non-disabled person demonstrates disrespect for persons with a physical disability.  

Most people know and respect the fact that non-disabled persons should never use parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. However, the Motor Vehicle Act prohibits the use of parking spaces reserved for persons with mobility impairments, unless the appropriate identification is displayed in the vehicle. Penalties normally involve a significant fine and or licence demerit points.  

The Motor Vehicle Act also allows municipal authorities to establish and regulate the use of parking areas reserved for persons with disabilities. Fines can be up to $125.