Regulatory signs · R7-8
Reserved Accessible Parking sign
Archive file: R07-08 Reserved Parking - Accessible/R07-08 Reserved Parking - Accessible 12x18.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
This parking space is reserved for people with disabilities.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2B.53, paragraph 16, PDF page 167.
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Meaning
Reserved Accessible Parking designates a space for eligible use by a person with a disability. It is a reservation, rather than a general invitation to anyone seeking a convenient space. Pennsylvania requires both a displayed qualifying plate or placard and use of the vehicle by or to transport the eligible person.
What to do
In Pennsylvania, check both conditions before using the space. Displaying a qualifying placard alone does not satisfy the handbook’s rule when the vehicle is not being used by or to transport the eligible person. A space being empty does not change whom it is reserved for.
Where it is used
The federal standard uses the accessible parking sign to designate the reserved space and requires the accessibility symbol. Where the space accommodates a wheelchair van, a Van Accessible plaque belongs below it. Read the space’s full sign assembly before parking, including the additional van designation.
A sign to tell apart
No Parking Any Time prohibits parking in the covered area. Reserved Accessible Parking instead limits who may use a designated space. The distinction matters: a reservation is not a blanket ban, and possession of an eligibility document does not eliminate the other required conditions for its use.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. Which two conditions does Pennsylvania require to use a reserved accessible parking space?
- A qualifying displayed plate or placard, and use by or to transport the eligible person.
- A qualifying placard anywhere in the vehicle, even without transporting the eligible person.
- An empty space and a short planned stay.
Answer: A. A qualifying displayed plate or placard, and use by or to transport the eligible person.
The handbook requires the eligibility display and the qualifying use of the vehicle. Both conditions must be met.
2. A Pennsylvania vehicle displays a qualifying placard, but it is not being used by or to transport the eligible person. May it use the reserved space?
- Yes, because the placard is displayed.
- Yes, if the space is closest to the entrance.
- No; the second required condition is missing.
Answer: C. No; the second required condition is missing.
Displaying the placard is only one of the two conditions. The vehicle must also serve the eligible person as described in the handbook.
State source coverage
Handbook coverage and sample questions do not prove that a sign will appear on your exam. Even a published test scope cannot guarantee an individual exam question.
Pennsylvania
Handbook coverage
Pennsylvania’s driver manual explicitly discusses this sign. This establishes handbook coverage, without a promise about any individual exam.
Pennsylvania permit sources · Practice with Pennsylvania questions
State variations
State-specific variations have not been independently established for this study.
Verified question coverage
These free state-bank questions were independently verified. This does not establish complete state-bank readiness, app availability or what will appear on your permit exam.
No currently verified state-bank question is available for this sign.
The linked 20-question permit quizzes do not currently include this sign.
This meaning is a federal MUTCD reference. Check your state's handbook for its rules and sign coverage; this page does not establish what appears on a state permit exam.
Try the free road sign quiz or find your state's handbook.
