Can I park in a disabled bay?
No, unless you have a valid parking card. A disabled bay (the "koperta") may be used only by people holding a parking card — or drivers who are carrying such a person and travelling with them. The card must be placed visibly behind the windscreen (on the dashboard). Parking in a disabled bay without entitlement is an offence carrying an 800 zł fine and 5 penalty points (up to 6). The vehicle may also be towed at the owner's expense. Using someone else's parking card is heavily penalised — a 1,200 zł fine. If you don't have a card, find an ordinary space, even at the cost of a longer walk.
📋 The rules
- Disabled bay only for holders of a parking card
- Also for a driver carrying such a person (when together)
- Card visible behind the windscreen
- Without entitlement: 800 zł fine and 5 points
- Using someone else's card: 1,200 zł fine
🔓 Exceptions
- A driver carrying a card-holder, when that person travels with them
- The card is issued to a person, not a vehicle — valid in different cars
- No entitled person in the vehicle: no right to the bay
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Parking in a disabled bay without a card is an 800 zł fine and 5 penalty points (up to 6), and the vehicle may be towed at the owner's expense, generating extra towing and storage charges. Even more heavily penalised is using someone else's or an invalid parking card — a 1,200 zł fine, and the card may be retained. To avoid a penalty and not block a space from those who truly need it: park in a disabled bay only with a valid card issued to a person travelling in the vehicle, place it visibly behind the windscreen, and without entitlement choose another space. Remember the card is tied to the person, not the car.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Who can park in a disabled bay?
Only people holding a valid parking card and drivers carrying such a person and travelling with them. The card must be placed visibly behind the windscreen. Without an entitled person in the vehicle, there's no right to park in a disabled bay.
What's the fine for parking in a disabled bay without a card?
An 800 zł fine and 5 penalty points (up to 6). Additionally, the vehicle may be towed at the owner's expense, meaning further towing and storage charges. It's one of the more heavily penalised parking offences, to protect people with disabilities.
Can I use a family member's parking card?
Only when that person travels with you as a passenger. The card is tied to the person with a disability, not the vehicle. Using someone else's card in the absence of the entitled person is abuse, risking a 1,200 zł fine and retention of the card.
Where do I place the parking card?
Visibly behind the windscreen, on the dashboard, so that its front side with the number and details is legible from outside. A missing visible, valid card can result in a fine, even if the driver is formally entitled to it.
What's the penalty for using someone else's card?
A 1,200 zł fine, and the parking card may be retained. Using someone else's or an invalid card is abuse that takes a real space from those who genuinely need it. The card is valid only when the person it was issued to is in the vehicle.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “fine for parking in disabled bay”
- “disabled parking bay rules poland”
- “where to place parking card”
- “parking without card 800 zl”
- “using someone else parking card”
- “towed from disabled bay”