Handicap Parking in Italy?

To my knowledge, the US placards are honored in the EU. Haven't tried it, though.

But the much bigger issue is -- Are handicap parking spots available ??? My first throught is probably not. In tourists cities like Rome, Milan, Floreance parking is almost non-existant. Second, the Italians seem to have a high disregard to traffic signs, signals, etc., so think that everyone would the use the handicap parking space if it existed.

I certainly didn't see any handicap parking in Florence. In fact, I didn't see any available parking period. The much larger issue may be handicap access to anything in Italy. There are stairs everywhere. I counted my "up" stairs for several days and I averaged about 400 up stairs a day. Given that there are as many down stairs, you can expect 400 of those as well. Even at the major museums, you're walking up and down stairs although many do have elevators. Still, you walk up a few stairs to get in or out. No handicap ramps. No handicap curbs either. If your mother-in-law is able to negotiate some stairs, you should be alright. As ambulatory seniors, we did take notice of this. Italy is way behind in providing access for the handicap. Venice is even worse with the bridges over the canals. None are setup for the handicap or disabled. Final note: Please don't try to park in Florence. You will not find parking.

Patty: I don't know about obtaining a placard in Italy, however we spent 4 months in Europe last year and used our California DMV-issued Handicap Placard wherever there were handicap spaces available. We even parked in a hotel parking lot in Edinburgh for 5 days, and used it freely in Western Europe. We were never challenged by anyone and there were as many handicap spaces available as one sees in US cities. I suspect that even the authorities are unaware as to whether US placards can be used and as long as there are no complaints, it seems to be OK

David
San Francisco, CA.

I think I saw one or two spots (total) in 3 weeks in Italy.

Trish, our RS tour guide also has her own tour company and she said that if one of her clients have a HC hang tag from the US and they bring it, she is able to pull up in front of where ever she is taking them and she can park just about anywhere. From what she said the police just wave her through to where ever she wants to park. She is pretty bold but she lives in Italy full time.

I got this info from her when I mentioned wanting to bring my mom to Italy but was worried about all the walking.

Hi Patty, You and your mother-in-law might want to read this - http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/disabled_travel.htm

I contacted the automobile associations of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands in pursuit of this question, with the following results: The Belgian response was "Knowing that the logo signaling an handicaped person is exactly the same as in Europe, you only need to highlight it under your windshield to fully enjoy the avantages and places marked out for handicaped persons." The Dutch response told me how to apply for a placard recognized by all EU countries. I sent (by regular air mail) a copy of the drivers license, the passport photo page, and a photocopy of the placard my state issued to: CBR Divisie Rijgeschiktheid To mr. C. Susana P.O. Box 3012 2280 GA Rijswijk ZH The Netherlands About a month later I received a placard! The cover letter and a brochure was all in Dutch, so I did some Google translating to learn that the different countries do have slightly different regulations about whether this placard entitles us to ignore parking time limits, but that's OK, we'll just try to read the signs and plan to obey them. No response from the French

You responded to a seven year old question. Better to have started a new question than dig up a dead body.

This info relates to Florence. There are handicap parking spots. They aren't easy to see and stripes are yellow rather than blue like in the US (blue stripe in Italy means pay or meter parking). My cousin in Florence has a placard and has full access to the ZTL. There are a few spots here and there and also the Parking garages must have spots. Handicap parking is always free. In order to access the ZTL and the handicap park follow the info from the City of Florence below:
http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/florence-accessible/getting-around.html