Drive-thru employee demands customer park in handicapped spot while they wait for their order, customer firmly refuses: ‘Not in the handicap spot’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 22, 2026 3:15 PM EDT

Question: When is it okay to park in a handicapped parking spot?

Answer: Only when you have a permit to park in a handicapped parking spot. If you don't have a legal permission to park in an accessible parking space, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever for you to park in one. 

Not even for five minutes, not if you stay in the car, not in any scenario. That spot is reserved for people who need it, and for a good reason. There are enough people who need it anyway, so don't be a reason someone can't park in a spot they deserve. It isn't worth the risk of preventing others from using it, it isn't worth the fine you might get for illegally parking there, and it generally doesn't make you a good person. Just look for a different spot, even if it takes a few extra minutes out of your day.

All of that is very clear to the customer who shared the story below, but apparently not clear enough to the drive-thru employee who told them to park in the spot in the first place.

This customer did everything right: They made an order on the app so they wouldn't have to wait for it to be ready, they went through the drive-thru line, and accepted the fact that their order might take a few more minutes to be ready. But when the employee asked them to wait for the order in the handicapped parking spot, the customer finally said no. This was not something they were comfortable doing, and they had no problem saying that to the employee. Why should the customer risk getting a ticket because their order wasn't ready in time? And who is the employee to decide who can park in an accessible parking spot?

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  • Reserved parking sign for handicapped spot.
    via Steve DiMatteo

    Reserved parking sign for handicapped spot.

  • AITAH for not parking in the handicap spot?

    So I placed a mobile order for Dunkin this morning. It was for a sausage egg and cheese bagel, a coffee, and hash browns. I waited in the drive thru line for about 10
    via Alarmist12
  • minutes as it was busy. When I got to the window my order still wasn't ready. The guy there asked me to park in the handicap spot, and they would bring it out. I am not handicap. Normally I wouldn't
    via Alarmist12
  • mind parking and waiting a couple of minutes, fine, but not in the handicap spot. For context, this Dunkin has very limited parking, and that was the only spot available. It looked like there
    via Alarmist12
  • were two other spots occupied by people waiting for their orders. I ended up telling the guy "Sorry I would if there were another spot
    via Alarmist12
  • open, but I'm not comfortable sitting in the handicap spot. I can wait here for it." He seemed pretty annoyed by that response, but I did get my food in about 2 minutes. It's especially annoying
    via Alarmist12
  • since I pre-ordered it through mobile order. AITAH for refusing to park in the handicap spot?
    via Alarmist12
  • Image representing a man in a car receiving coffee in a drive-thru fast food
    via Kanpisut

    Image representing a man in a car receiving coffee in a drive-thru fast food

  • Cognac Musings You did the right thing
    via CognacMusings
  • SJ3Starz NTA As a handicap placard holder, I appreciate you not breaking the law. So many people have placards that it's hard to find spots as it is. Having people be there who don't belong makes it even more infuriating.
    via SJ3Starz
  • Evening Double4010 As someone who needs the handicap spot, THANK YOU!
    via EveningDouble4010
  • Human-Bid5167 Nope. Would he pay your fine?
    via Human-Bid5167
  • CatsMom4Ever NTA. The guy at the window was so wrong for even thinking that was a reasonable request. Good for you for refusing.
    via CatsMom4Ever
  • 1 Rainbow Unicorn NTA. Report this to the store manager. They are asking you to illegally park in a handicap spot which will get you a ticket and a fine!
    via 1RainbowUnicorn
  • Own_Mention9372 I didn't even have read your post. You're never an AH for not parking in the handicap spot.
    via Own_Mention9372
  • Tryongirl NTA The cop won't give the ticket to the cashier, he'll give it to you
    via Tryongirl

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customer service parking space employee handicapped work customers drive thru food fast food dunkin donuts parking
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