Permits - Accessible Parking Permits - parking exemptions and holder responsibilities

The permit is to be placed on the sun visor or dashboard of a vehicle so that the international symbol, permit number and expiry date of the permit is clearly visible from the outside of the vehicle (Section 7 (1), Ontario Regulation 581). Persons using copied, altered or fraudulently obtained permits may be charged under the Highway Traffic Act.

A permit holder or driver (operating a vehicle for the purpose of transporting an accessible permit holder) who displays a valid accessible parking permit is exempt from the following:

  • Signed prohibited parking areas (this includes time restricted areas only between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) No exemptions exist during the rush hour periods between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Further non-exemptions apply, please see below.
  • Signed on-street permit parking areas. Vehicles displaying a valid parking permit are permitted to park without a designated on-street parking permit.
  • Signed parking limits such as one hour and two hour maximums; holders are allowed to exceed the signed maximum parking limit.
  • Unsigned maximum three-hour parking limit in effect on all city streets.
  • Holders may park at on-street parking meters or pay and display machines without putting a coin in the meter/machine during the hours of legal operation. No exemption for off-street parking meters/machines (e.g.on private property or in Green P parking lots).
  • No overnight parking on residential streets if the accessible permit is displayed on a vehicle that exceeds 3,000 kilograms
  • Vehicles displaying a valid Accessible Permit but exceed 3,000 kilograms are not exempt from paying at on-street paid parking spaces.

View details on Accessible Parking Permits.

In Ontario, a vehicle displaying a currently valid permit or number plate bearing the international symbol of access for persons with a disability (the wheelchair symbol) and issued by another jurisdiction is entitled to the same privileges as a vehicle displaying a permit issued in Ontario (Section 8, Ontario Regulation 581).

Each municipality determines what exemptions and responsibilities are afforded holders of these permits.

Note: Lost accessible parking permits must be reported to the Toronto Police by phone. Stolen accessible parking permits can be reported to the police by phone or in person, but not online.

"Accessible parking permits" are issued to the individual with the disability, the permit privileges are not transferable. The permit is not valid when displayed on a vehicle and the vehicle is not being used to pick up, drop off or transport the holder of the permit named therein. Persons who use a "Accessible parking permit" in the absence of the named holder, may be charged under the Highway Traffic Act.

Permit holder not in the vehicle
If the permit holder is not in the vehicle, the permit can be left visible on the dashboard or visor as long as the driver is not attempting to use "accessible parking privileges".

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