DR has counted 13 disability parking permits in the windshields of 32 parked cars on Todesgade in Copenhagen, just over 40 percent. The count follows a Conservative proposal to strip driving licenses from people using stolen or forged permits.
The street survey was carried out on August 24, 2026, and DR reported that 40.63 percent of the cars on the street had a disability parking card visible. The broadcaster spoke to residents and passers-by on the street about the share of permits and about what the penalty for cheating should be.
DR carried out the count the same day that Det Konservative Folkeparti presented its proposal on disability parking cards. According to DR’s political coverage, the party wants people who use false or stolen cards to risk losing their driving license. The proposal also includes tighter controls on the cards, a national campaign against cheating, and targeted efforts in areas showing signs of misuse.
Ekstra Bladet also reported the Conservative proposal, citing DR for some details and focusing on the party’s call for tougher sanctions and more control. That coverage does not mention Todesgade. Only DR has reported the street count itself.
Danske Handicaporganisationer has registered reports of 969 stolen disability parking cards, DR notes, mainly from areas in Copenhagen and around Copenhagen Airport. Under current rules, cases of misuse are typically handled as fraud or document offenses.
Free parking in all zones
Københavns Kommune states that cars with a valid disability parking card can park free of charge on public parking spaces in the city. The municipality’s parking guide, updated in July 2026, adds that the card gives free parking in all zones, but does not allow parking where there is a stopping ban.
Among those DR met on Todesgade, opinions on the proposed penalty differed. Line Håkansson, who is a homemaker, said the measure was reasonable, while stressing that ordinary citizens cannot judge who is entitled to a card. She described stealing or misusing the permits as very poor form.
Student Philip Raissnia told DR that protecting disability spaces made sense, given how hard parking is to find in Copenhagen, a city where many residents also rely on cycling in Copenhagen. He was less certain that a stolen card should automatically cost the driver a license.
Mads Møller, who is on sick leave, said using a disability permit says nothing about a person’s ability to drive. He considered revoking the license a step too far.
Ulf Ryland, a development consultant at Københavns Kommune, told DR he was surprised by the number of cards on the street. He noted that permits can be issued for conditions that are not visible, and said a fine would be the more appropriate response.
