Canada, our friendly neighbor to the north, is a very popular destination for Americans traveling abroad. Millions of Americans travel to Canada each year for pleasure and business. Many Americans have relatives and friends north of the border, and while travel is difficult at the moment due to COVID-19, once the pandemic passes there’s no doubt that Americans will be traveling to Canada in their millions once again.
Canada has lots of attractions. The nation has several great cities, from Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto in the east to Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver in the west. The “Great White North”, as the nickname attests, also has endless expanses of wild, beautiful, and usually exquisitely fresh and frigid wilderness.
With so many reasons to travel to Canada, it’s no wonder that lots of disabled parking permit holders ask us: “Is my handicap placard valid in Canada?”. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to travel to Canada as a U.S. disabled parking permit holder.
Disabled Parking Permits Are Valid In All U.S. States
Before we answer the question “Can I use my disabled parking permit in Canada?”, let’s quickly mention the situation within the United States.
Each American state issues its own disabled parking permits. Luckily, most states have similar programs. There is an agreement in place between all U.S. states that means a disabled parking permit from one state will be recognized and valid in all other states.
A disabled parking permit from another state will entitle its owner to avail of all the disabled parking facilities in any other state they visit. While most states’ programs are similar to each other, key differences exist, so it is always wise to research the specific details of the disabled parking program in any state you’ll be traveling to.
Can I Use My Handicap Placard In Another Country?
“Can I use my disabled parking permit in another country?” is a question more and more disabled drivers are asking as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on and people look to the future in hopes of experiencing the joy and freedom of international travel once again.
The great news is that mutual disabled parking permit recognition agreements exist between entire countries, just like they do between U.S. states. So the answer to the question “Can I use my handicap placard when traveling internationally?” is yes… Sometimes. The U.S. has mutual disabled permit recognition agreements with several other countries, but not all of them.
Can I Use My Disabled Parking Permit In Canada?
The good news for people traveling to our northern neighbor is that, yes, the U.S. does have an agreement in place with Canada to recognize each other’s disabled parking permits. Both countries are signed up to the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) agreement, which states that all signatory nations will afford the same parking rights to each other’s citizens as they do to their own.
While the agreement was initially between European states only, in 1997 it expanded to include Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada.
Are All Types Of U.S. Disabled Parking Permit Valid In Canada?
Each U.S. state has several types of disabled parking permits, typically including Permanent, Temporary, Organizational, and Disabled Veteran varieties. All of these variations of U.S. disabled parking permits are recognized and valid in Canada.
All U.S. disabled parking permit types, including Permanent, have expiry dates. In most states, the permit holder is responsible for remembering when their permit will be up for renewal. If you are traveling to Canada, it is crucial that you make sure your permit will not expire while you’re there. An expired permit will not be valid in Canada, and replacing it while out of the country will be much more difficult.
What Are The Disabled Parking Rules And Regulations In Canada?
The rules for disabled parking in Canada are identical to those in the U.S. This is not quite as clear-cut as it sounds, though, because disabled parking rules in both countries vary by locality.
Just like in the U.S., different Canadian regions and jurisdictions have different specific rules.
Some allow free on-street parking for unlimited time in metered spaces; others do not. Just like in the U.S., you will have to check the specific rules in any jurisdiction you’re visiting.
How Do I Get A Disabled Parking Permit?
If you don’t yet have a U.S. disabled parking permit, now is the perfect time.
The best way to apply for your permit is to visit DisabledParking.com and they will set up a consultation with a medical professional in your area. The application process can be done entirely remotely and is extremely quick and easy.
Featured image by JamesWheeler on Pixabay