On standby since September 2021, they officially entered the Highway Code with their publication in the Official Gazette on May 23rd. We are talking about "pink parking spaces", reserved by law for pregnant women and parents – mothers and fathers – with children up to 2 years of age. "But I've already seen them!" True, we have already seen them in the parking areas of supermarkets or other commercial establishments. Or near essential public services: hospitals, local health authorities, schools, public parks, banks, post offices.
Previously, it was up to the Municipalities to decide whether and where to provide them within their jurisdiction. The Highway Code recognized the possibility of "reserving limited parking spaces" for certain categories, which could include pregnant women. Today, there is a national law that explicitly identifies the category and extends the provision to all public roads. However, they are not mandatory for Municipalities: they remain a sign of consideration for areas where parking can be problematic. And it remains within the administrations' power to choose to indicate a maximum usage time, often between 2 or 3 hours.
To use pink parking spaces, a special permit is required, to be requested from the Municipality of residence and displayed on the vehicle. Each Municipality has a specific issuance procedure, so it is advisable to inquire to be sure of the process to follow. The pink permit is free, but bureaucratic costs such as stamp duties may be foreseen.
As with all reserved parking spaces, those who occupy the pink lines without meeting the required criteria will be fined. The penalty ranges between 87 and 344 euros. Is the pass holder always safe? Beware: a fine - from 47 to 173 euros - is also foreseen for those who have the permit but do not observe the parking conditions.
