Any person who meets the criteria for special parking privileges under RCW 46.16.381 shall be allowed, free of charge, to park a vehicle used for his or her transportation in any legal disabled parking zone or area for an unlimited period of time. This includes zones or areas with parking meters which are otherwise restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted.

This section does not apply to those zones or areas in which the stopping, parking, or standing of all vehicles is prohibited or which are reserved for special types of vehicles. The person shall obtain and display a special placard or license plate under RCW 46.16.381 to be eligible for the privileges under this section.