This course will prepare you to become a volunteer for the Parking Mobility disabled parking abuse reporting and community education program in <Municipality>. This course was developed in conjunction with <Municipality> and approved by <Municipality>.

Upon completion of this course, your personal information will be submitted for a private background check as provided in Texas Transportation Code 681:0101 and the results of that background check and certification of completion of this course will be submitted to <Municipality> for approval as a volunteer in the Parking Mobility Program.

Once you have been approved as a volunteer, you will be administered an oath by <Municipality> that will allow you to begin submitting violations.

I agree

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This course will take a minimum of four hours to complete and conforms to the regulations as set forth in the Texas Transportation Code 681:0101. The course is divided into 8 sections:

Laws Governing Disabled ParkingReporting ProcessesJudiciary Process for ViolationsUse of Parking MobilitySafetySpecial Rules Governing ParkingVolunteer Rights and ResponsibilitiesVolunteer Conduct

Each slide is timed so that you cannot move forward in the training until sufficient time has elapsed to absorb the material covered. At the end of each section will be a brief quiz to ensure you have a comprehension of the materials covered.

You can stop the training at any point and logout. When you log back into the training, you will be returned to the point you left off. You must complete this training within 30 days or you will have to begin again.

If you have trouble with the training or have a question at any time, you may click the icon at the bottom of each page.

This will open a separate window where you can access our FAQ page or contact us for help.

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Parking Mobility Video

Parking Mobility Video

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Laws Governing Disabled Parking

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More than 53 million Americans have one or more physical disabilities. In the past, they had no protections under the law to ensure they had access to the same services as people without disabilities. That all changed in 1991 with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Within the ADA is section 4.6 “Parking and Passenger Loading Zones”. It is this section that set into motion the creation of parking spaces reserved for drivers with disabilities. The law determined that the spaces needed to be on the shortest route to an entrance, which meant they were the closest spaces to the business. It also determined that the spaces need to be wider than regular parking spaces with an aisle next to them providing access for people using mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, that the spaces cannot be on a steep slope and to be designated as “handicap” parking.

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Texas Transportation Code Section 681 details the regulations surrounding disabled parking including:

License plates and placardsParking privilegesDesignation of spacesEnforcementOffensesPenalties

The intent of the Texas Legislature in passage of these laws is to protect the health safety and public access of people with disabilities.

Texas Transportation Code Section 681 conforms to and in some instances adds to or clarifies the regulations under the ADA.

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Regulations under the ADA

The ADA provides guidelines and laws to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities in

regards to employment, access to public and/orcommercial space, state and government services,

transportation options and other services.

To meet ADA requirements, a handicapped parkingspace must be large enough for a vehicle plus anadditional space to the right or left of the vehicle toallow a wheelchair to exit the vehicle. There needs

to be an access space of at least 8 feet wide for a

space that is designated as "van accessible," and 5 feet wide for a space that is designated for a car. This access space is to accommodate the room needed to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter out of the car. In addition, for handicapped spaces that are designated for vans, there must be at least an 98-inch height clearance.

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Disabled parking spaces must be located so they are the closest spots to the accessible entrance and should be on ground level. The only exception is if the closest space is on a slope or uneven surface that would make it difficult to maneuver a wheelchair through. In that case, the closest flat space should be designated for handicapped parking. There must also be an accessible route between the parking spot and the entrance way. On this route there cannot be stairs or sloped surfaces, and it must be slip proof.

An ADA handicapped parking space must be identified with the international symbol of accessibility (see picture at the top of the article). This sign must be placed high enough that it will not be obstructed when a vehicle is parked there. For spaces that are designated as "van accessible," this sign must indicate that as well as in the picture shown here. There typically is a sign painted on the pavement as well (see below), but there are no ADA regulations which require painting on the pavement.

Location and Identification Required by the ADA

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The ADA requires that 1 out of every 25 parking spots must be accessible to the handicapped, and 1 of every 8 of these handicapped parking spaces has to be van accessible. If you have 26 to 50 spaces, there must be handicapped parking for one car and one van; 51 to 75 parking spaces must allow for two cars and one van, and so forth. If you have 500 to 1,000 parking spaces, 2 percent of them must be handicapped accessible. For parking lots with over 1,000 spaces, 1 of every 100 spaces must be accessible.

Quantity

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In order to legally use an ADA disabled parking space, you must have a designation (license plate or placard) displaying the international symbol for disability. Each state varies slightly in the cost of the designation and the exact process that needs to be followed to obtain one. Typically license plates and placards are obtained through the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Fines for parking illegally in one of these spaces ranges nationally from $50 up to $500.

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Texas Specific Regulations

In Texas, a vehicle may be parked for an unlimited period in a parking space or area that is designated specifically for persons with physical disabilities if the vehicle is being operated by or for the transportation of a person with a disability and there is either a state issued license plate or placard placed on the rearview mirror of the front windshield.

The owner of a vehicle is exempt from paying a fee or penalty for parking at a meter if the vehicle is being operated by or for the transportation of a person with a disability and the vehicle displays the above noted license plate or placard. This section does not permit a vehicle to be parked at a time when or a place where parking is prohibited.

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Designation of Disabled Parking Spaces

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation specifies that disabled parking spaces must be designated by a vertical sign displaying the international symbol of disability and must be a minimum of 60” from the finished floor or ground level at the location of the designated parking space. This is the only requirement to designate a parking space and is required for the space to be enforceable.

Van accessible spaces must be provided but are not restricted to vans only.

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Texas has the highest fine for disabled parking violation in the United States. The minimum fine for a first offense is $500. Subsequent offenses can result in a fine of up to $1250 and 50 hours of community service.

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