Recently my sister received a fine of $441.00 for having an out of date Disability Parking Permit (DPP) displayed for our 95-year-old mother, who has macular degeneration and can only walk with assistance. She lives in a local aged care home and is taken to her appointments by various family members who use the permit, which Mum keeps in her bag.
We were unaware that this permit had to be renewed and thought that, given Mum‘s age and medical factors (which aren’t going to improve!), it was a permanent concession.
No renewal notice had been issued (confirmed by the local RMS office). Renewal notices are sent out for cars, boats and trailers but not, apparently, for a DPP!
As we were not offered an interim permit, a four-page renewal form has to be completed by Mum’s doctor and another photo ID is required before it can be reissued.
This is a good example of government red tape affecting the most vulnerable in our society – an elderly woman whose condition is only going to deteriorate and carers who are already under enough time constraints and pressure.
I am sure this is the case for many other people with disabilities, and the stress and inconvenience it places on their carers is immense and unnecessary. Issuing a $441 fine to a carer/family member when no renewal form has been sent out is nothing short of ridiculous.
Carers for holders of Disability Parking Permits, please be aware of this so it doesn’t happen to you.
Name withheld
