Question:Can a person with a handicapped parking permit park at a meter without having to pay?

Answer:If there’s a physically disabled person in the vehicle, a vehicle can be parked in a metered space without payment if certain requirements are met, according to Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.345 “Privilege for the physically disabled.”

A vehicle that “prominently displays the certificate authorized by this section or that bears the disability plate or plates may be parked by or solely for the benefit of a physically disabled person in a… metered parking space without obligation to pay the meter fee and without time restrictions unless time restrictions are separately posted on official signs.”

“A person may park the vehicle for a physically disabled person in a parking space only when actually transporting the physically disabled person for the sole benefit of that person and when the parking space is within a reasonable distance from the drop-off point.” Note, the vehicle must display the required certificate or license plate.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (You can follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at,jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).