Proper placard use

Drivers

• the driver must ensure that the placard is valid and there is a registration certificate  
• you can use your valid placard and registration certificate in any vehicle that is being used to provide you with transportation 
• the driver must obey other parking laws and pay any parking fees
• persons issued a disabled licence plate and registration are subject to a yearly registration fee

Parking

• your valid placard must be hung from the vehicle’s rear-view mirror with the registration number and expiry date visible from outside the vehicle
• the matching registration certificate must be in the vehicle and presented on demand by a Peace Officer 
• you must enter or exit the vehicle when parked in a stall marked for persons with disabilities 
• municipal bylaws govern these parking stalls on both public and private property
• a stall or parking space signed for persons with disabilities is  not for the exclusive use of one person with a disability; it may be used by others with valid placards 

Lost, stolen or expired placards/registration certificates 

if your placard or matching registration certificate is lost, stolen or damaged, you must report it to a registry agent

• if your placard and registration certificate is no longer needed, you must return it to a registry agent office for cancellation
• if your placard and registration certificate has expired and isn’t going to be renewed, it must be destroyed
• the placard and registration certificate is null and void upon the holder’s death - relatives, friends and caregivers are not allowed to use the placard or registration certificate and must return both to a registry agent office for cancellation

Placard abuse

• any abuse or misuse of a parking placard and registration certificate may result in the parking placard registration being cancelled - this includes: 
  • altering
  • defacing
  • duplicating 
  • tampering with the placard or registration certificate
  • allowing someone other than you to use the placard and registration certificate
• the person with the disability cannot use disabled parking by remaining in the vehicle while the driver or another passenger leaves the vehicle
• if parking privileges/placards are abused, your parking placard and registration may be cancelled and your parking privileges revoked
• Service Alberta may notify enforcement authorities if your placard is cancelled

Reporting placard abuse

Using a placard

If you’re aware of someone using a parking placard that hasn’t been issued to them, report the incident to Alberta Registries, Motor Vehicles at sa.motorvehicles@gov.ab.ca and provide the following information:

• details of the incident, including time and place
• the licence plate number 
• make/model of the vehicle
• placard number
• description of the individual using the placard

Using a disabled parking space

If you’re aware of someone parking in a designated stall and there isn’t a valid parking placard displayed OR a special disabled licence plate on the rear of the vehicle, contact the municipal parking authority.

Cancelling or Reporting a Placard Lost or Stolen.

If you no longer require your placard, or it has been lost or stolen, please complete a Licence Plate/Parking placard Cancellation Declaration form and provide it to a registry agent. You may also apply for a replacement at that time if required.