Australia
Part 1: Driving with a Disability
Are there any laws or regulations in your country that restrict whether people with disabilities can obtain a driving licence?
Yes,
In Australia, driving and vehicle laws and driving regulations differ from state to state. Some states require you to carry an International Licence with your current foreign licence. Other states request you carry your current foreign driver's licence together with a formal translation of your licence into English. In all Australian states and territories you are able to drive on an overseas licence as long as it is current and you have an International Driving Permit. You can only drive vehicles which your overseas licence authorises you to drive, and you must drive according to any conditions on your overseas licence. All licence holders, including a foreign licence holder must be medically fit to drive a vehicle on the road. A visiting driver must drive in accordance with any terms or conditions applicable to their licence. https://info.australia.gov.au/information-andservices/ transport-and-regional/driving-with-an-overseaslicence
Are there any restrictions on the type of vehicle or adaptation to controls that can be driven by a person with a disability?
Yes,
Where appropriate, vehicles may be required to have modifications so that it can be driven by a person with disability, such as hand operated controls, extended pedals, left foot accelerator or a steering wheel spinner knob. When these modifications are required, it is recorded on the person's driver's licence.
If you have answered yes to Question 4 above, do the same restrictions apply to a person with a disability visiting your country in their own or a rented vehicle? Please give details
Yes,
A visiting motorist can drive on their foreign driver's licence as long as the licence remains current and valid as above. All licence holders, including a foreign licence holder must be medically fit to drive a vehicle on the road. A visiting driver must drive in accordance with any terms or conditions applicable to their licence, including those related to disability and required modifications to vehicles for driving. The restrictions on the type of vehicle or adaptation to controls would be relevant to the individual and their disability, and all changes to a vehicle would need to comply with vehicle legislation associated with modifying vehicles.
Please give details of the section responsible in your Ministry for driver licensing and vehicle adaptations for people with disabilities. Please also include any websites which give details of the official national policy.
Name of Department/Ministry: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Name of section responsible: Government-Wide Initiatives and International Section
email address for queries: [email protected]
Phone number for queries: +61 02 6274 6442
website (s): www.infrastructure.gov.au
Part 2: Parking Cards for people with a disability
Does your country have a national scheme of parking concessions for people with a disability?
Yes
Which categories of people with a disability are eligible for the parking card? Please tick all that apply
Wheelchair users,
People with walking difficulty,
People with vision impairment,
Other (please specify):
Note that different states and territory have different categories that may apply. A disability parking permit (DPP) may need to be applied for in the state and territory a foreign driver is visiting. Check the state or territory government requirements. All Australian states and territories include the international wheelchair logo in their permits, publications and parking spaces. International travellers should contact the relevant state or territory agency responsible for a Disability Parking Permit (DPP). Parking permits are issued to an eligible person rather than the vehicle.
Are there parking spaces reserved for people with a disability?
Yes
If you have answered yes, where are the reserved parking spaces? (Please tick all that apply)
On street,
In municipal car parks
What concessions does the parking card give people with a disability? (Please tick all that apply)
Extended time limit for on-street parking (please give details below)
Other – An Australian Disability Parking Permit is recognised nationally so can be used when travelling to other Australian states and territories. As the concessions provided for the DPP varies between each state and territory, the motorist should always check the local rules for parking and obey all other road and parking conditions and signage. Most States and Territories provide extended time limits for DPPs, and a motorist should check the concessions with the relevant state or Territory authority for specific arrangements. The Australian DPP is recognised nationally. An overseas DPP is not recognised in SA. It is recommended that they apply for a SA DPP during their stay in South Australia. A SA DPP will be issued at no cost.
Are there any regions or cities in your country that do not recognise the parking card, or which have their own, different system?
No
Are the same concessions available to individuals with a disability visiting your country?
Yes
If you have answered yes to Question 13 above, please tell us if there is a formal system of reciprocal recognition of parking cards from other countries?
No
If you have answered yes to Question 14 above please tell us
N/A
Are there minimum dimensions for the size of a parking space reserved for a person with a disability?
Yes,
AS/NZS 2890.6-2009 sets the minimum requirements for accessible car parking spaces in Australia and New Zealand. A summary of the key requirements of AS/NZS2890.6-2009 is outlined below: • Angled parking spaces are to be 2400mm wide x 5400mm long • Parallel parking spaces are to be not less than 3200mm wide x 7800mm long For more information, please refer to: https://www.disabilityaccessconsultants.com.au/accessibledisabled-car-p…
Please give details of the section in your ministry responsible for parking concessions for people with a disability
Name of Department/Ministry: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Name of section responsible: Government-wide Initiatives and International section
email address for queries: [email protected]
phone number for queries: +61 2 6274 6442
website(s): www.infrastructure.gov.au
Please include a link to any websites which give details of the official national policy on parking concessions for people with a disability.
Official website for Department of Social Services, Australian Government - https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disabilityandcarers/program…
Part 3: HIring a car if you have a disability
Does your country have any laws which require hire car companies to make adapted vehicles available for people with disabilities to rent?
No
Where are such vehicles available? Please tick all that apply
N/A
Please give details of the section responsible in your ministry for laws/policies on adapted hire cars.
Name of ministry: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Name of section responsible: Government-wide Initiatives and International section
email address for queries: [email protected]
phone number for queries: +61 2 6274 6442
website(s): www.infrastructure.gov.au