Conservatives propose licence loss for handicap parking fraud

Denmark’s Conservative Party wants people who misuse or forge handicap parking permits to lose their driving licences, DR reports. The party is also proposing stronger checks, a national campaign and targeted action in places where misuse is suspected.

“The hammer simply has to fall harder if people cheat those with disabilities,” said Mai Mercado, the Conservatives’ justice spokesperson. She described the misuse and forgery of handicap parking permits as “deeply reprehensible and morally corrupt”.

The party has put forward four proposals:

1. Remove the driving rights of people who use fake or stolen handicap parking permits.

2. Strengthen checks on permits to make it harder to use illegal ones.

3. Launch a national campaign against fraud involving handicap parking.

4. Introduce special initiatives in areas where there are signs of misuse.

Under current rules, people who misuse or forge the permits can typically be charged with fraud, document forgery or misuse of a genuine document. Such cases usually result in fines or suspended prison sentences.

Danske Handicaporganisationer, an umbrella organisation for people with disabilities, says theft and document forgery involving the permits are becoming an increasing problem. The organisation received a combined 762 reports about stolen permits in 2024 and 2025.

In early June, a man was sentenced to 10 days in suspended prison for misusing a handicap parking permit. Danske Handicaporganisationer welcomed the Conservative proposals.

“We support all proposals that can help curb this problem. There is a need for increased control,” said Katrine Mandrup Tang, the organisation’s director.

Handicap parking permits are issued following an application to people who meet one or more criteria. These include having received support to buy a car under the Social Services Act, being approved for disability transport such as Flextrafik Handicap, or having a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to walk, move around, work or study.

Several parties in the Danish Parliament agree that misuse of the permits is deeply problematic, but they do not all support taking away people’s driving licences.

SF, a governing party, is willing to discuss tougher penalties but says licence disqualification may go too far.

“It is a little too severe to take away the driving licence. I think we should reserve that punishment for the most dangerous things in traffic,” said Karina Lorentzen, SF’s justice spokesperson. She suggested higher fines or possibly penalty points on the licence instead.

The Social Democrats are more open to the Conservative proposal.

“We are open to discussing whether this should be added. It would give us a broader range of penalties,” said Lea Wermelin, the party’s justice spokesperson. She said a conditional driving disqualification could also be an option.

Liberal Alliance has not decided which sanction it supports but has not ruled out the Conservatives’ proposal.

“Even though we have the legislation we have today, we need to do something,” said Jens Meilvang, the party’s justice spokesperson. He mentioned higher penalties, larger fines or taking away people’s driving licences.