People with disabilities: EC parking card

In its common position on the Community parking card for persons with disabilities, the Council took over 4 of the 6 amendments approved by Parliament at first reading. These amendments related to: - the transitional period before the introduction of Community cards: Community parking cards could be used in parallel with national cards in the Member States during a transitional period, as requested by the European Parliament, but the Council only envisaged national cards being replaced by Community cards in the longer term. As a result, national cards would continue to be used in parallel with Community cards for a certain period of time; - the information to appear on the cards: as Parliament hoped, the address and date of birth of the cardholder would not appear on the cards, nor would the vehicle registration number; - where the card was to be displayed for checking purposes. However, the Council did not accept Parliament's amendment outlining which disabled persons should be allowed to use the card (particularly those suffering from physical or mental impairment). It did include the concept of 'reduced mobility'. The Council also amended parts of the Commission's initial text. In addition to establishing a longer transitional period when national cards could be used (models existing in the Member States before 1 January 2000 could continue to be used after that date in the countries where they were issued until their replacement), the Council allowed the Member States complete flexibility in terms of assigning the parking cards. From 1 January 1999, the parking cards introduced by each Member State in accordance with the Community model should be recognised in the other Member States and from 1 January 2000 the Member States should issue their own Community parking cards based on the uniform model described in the annex. �