Danish disability group reports 969 stolen parking cards
Monday 24th August 2026 on 21:15 in
Denmark
Danske Handicaporganisationer, an organisation representing Danish disability groups, has received reports of 969 stolen disabled parking cards since 1 March 2024, DR reports. The organisation says the problem is increasing and is calling for tighter controls.
Director Katrine Mandrup Tang said a stolen card can bring the daily life of people with disabilities to a halt, particularly when the theft follows a smashed car window.
A disabled parking card can provide access to designated spaces and, in some situations, exemption from ordinary parking charges. For people with significant mobility problems, parking close to their destination may determine whether they can manage everyday activities.
When a card is reported stolen, its serial number is registered as invalid. However, Danske Handicaporganisationer says stolen cards are still being misused, particularly in parts of Copenhagen and around Copenhagen Airport.
A stolen card can also prevent another person who needs an accessible space from using it. The organisation is therefore calling for more checks by parking wardens and police.
Tang said ordinary members of the public should not be expected to determine whether someone is entitled to use a disabled parking card, noting that disabilities are not always visible.
In a survey by Danske Handicaporganisationer, one in three respondents said they had either faced reactions from other people or been verbally abused over the issue.
The issue has also entered the political debate. The Conservative Party has proposed tougher penalties for people who misuse or forge disabled parking cards, including the possibility of losing their driving licence. Several parties have said they are open to discussing tougher punishments, while the Socialist People’s Party has described losing a driving licence as a possible overreaction.
For Danske Handicaporganisationer, action is needed, but the organisation says checks must be carried out by people able to verify the cards correctly.