Maryland Handicap Parking Permits: What You Need to KnowIf you have a disability in Maryland, you may be eligible to receive a handicap placard in Maryland from the MD Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to make parking more accessible. Here's what you need to know:
The different types of handicap permits available in MD include:
License plates for permanent disabilities (valid for two years)
Temporary pass for short-term disabilities (valid for up to six months)
Permanent pass for long-term disabilities (valid for four years)
The type of handicap permit you receive depends on the nature of your disability, which will be determined by a physician.
It's important to follow the laws regarding handicap parking in MD to avoid fines. Some key laws to keep in mind include:
Displaying the placard or license plate: Anyone with a handicap parking placard in MD must display it from their rearview mirror or dashboard with the expiration date clearly shown. The placard must also be removed when the vehicle is in motion.
Keeping medical certification: People with a handicap placard in MD must always keep their medical certification with them. Law enforcement officers have the right to ask for the certification to verify your eligibility for a handicap parking pass at any time.
Reporting abuse: Anyone who witnesses handicap parking abuse is encouraged to contact local authorities immediately to report the vehicle. Handicap parking abuse is a serious offense in MD , and violators are subject to significant fines.
If you meet any of the following requirements, you may be eligible to apply for a handicap parking pass in MD :
Inability to walk without assistance from a wheelchair, cane, brace or other device
Loss or loss of use of in arms hands, feet or legs
Inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
Permanent disability severely impacting your ambulatory ability
Having a severe lung disease
Permanent impairment to both eyes
Having a Class III or Class IV cardiovascular disease
Mobility impairment for at least three weeks
How to Apply for Handicap Parking Pass in MD
Fill out the Application for MD Parking Passes /License Plates for Individuals with a Disability (Form VR-210).
Have a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, chiropractor, podiatrist, or optometrist fill out the certification on the form.
Submit the appropriate payment (license plates are $20; passes are free).
You can send in your application form by mail, fax, or in person at a local MVA office.
Keep in mind that even with a handicap permit, you may still have to pay meter fees at some parking locations. Additionally, if your temporary handicap expires but you still need to use it, you will have to fill out a new handicap parking application with a new medical certification. For permanent handicap pass renewals, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration will mail a renewal notice prior to the expiration with instructions on how to renew. License plate renewals are completed at the time of paying your vehicle registration renewal fees.
If you believe you have a qualifying disability to receive a handicap license plate or pass in Maryland, contact the MVA to get started. They have a licensed physician in every state to help determine your qualifications.
One of the benefits of having a handicap parking pass in MD is the ability to park in designated accessible parking spots without having to pay parking fees at certain locations. However, it's important to note that not all parking meters in MD are exempt from fees for handicap permit holders.
According to the MD Motor Vehicle Administration, individuals with a handicap permit can avoid paying fees at some parking locations. However, it's important to always read signs to determine if the parking meter is exempt from fees for individuals with a handicap permit. In some cases, there may be ADA compliant parking meters installed throughout MD , and even people with a handicap permit may still be required to pay the meter fees.
It's also important to keep in mind that misuse of handicap parking permits is a serious offense in MD . Any abuse or misuse of a handicap parking permit can result in significant fines and penalties. Therefore, it's essential that individuals with a handicap permit follow all parking regulations and requirements to avoid any legal issues.
In summary, while some parking meters in MD may be exempt from fees for individuals with a handicap permit, it's important to always read signs and comply with all parking regulations to avoid any fines or penalties.
If you have a qualifying disability, you may be eligible to receive a handicap license plate or placard from the MD Motor Vehicle Administration. Having a handicap parking permit can allow you to park in designated accessible parking spots and avoid parking fees at certain locations.
Determine your eligibility: In MD , to be eligible for a handicap parking permit, you must have a qualifying disability that severely impacts your ambulatory ability. Examples of qualifying disabilities may include being unable to walk without assistance from a wheelchair, cane, brace or other device, loss or loss of use of arms, hands, feet, or legs, and having a Class III or Class IV cardiovascular disease, among others.
Get certified by a licensed healthcare professional: You will need to have a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, chiropractor, podiatrist, or optometrist complete the certification section of the Application for MD Parking passes/License Plates for Individuals with a Disability (Form VR-210). The certification must be dated within the past 12 months and include information about your disability and its impact on your ambulatory ability.
Submit the application and payment: Once you have completed the application form and obtained the necessary certification from a licensed healthcare professional, you can submit the application by mail, fax, or in-person at a local MD Motor Vehicle Administration office. License plates cost $20, and passes are free.
Wait for your permit: After your application is approved and processed, you will receive your handicap parking permit. The different types of handicap permits in MD include license plates for permanent disabilities, temporary passes for short-term disabilities, and permanent placards for long-term disabilities.
It's important to note that if your temporary handicap permit expires, but you still need to use it, you will have to fill out a new handicap parking application with a new medical certification. For permanent handicap placard renewals, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration will mail a renewal notice prior to the expiration with instructions on how to renew.
In summary, to obtain a handicap parking permit in MD , you must determine your eligibility, get certified by a licensed healthcare professional, submit the application and payment, and wait for your permit to arrive.
Yes, permanent handicap placards do expire in Maryland. The validity of a permanent pass is four years from the date of issue. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will mail a renewal notice prior to the expiration with instructions on how to renew.
To renew a permanent handicap placard, you will need to complete the Application for MD Parking passes/License Plates for Individuals with a Disability (Form VR-210) and have a licensed healthcare professional complete the certification section. The certification must be dated within the past 12 months and include information about your disability and its impact on your ambulatory ability.
Once you have completed the application and obtained the necessary certification, you can submit the renewal application and payment by mail, fax, or in-person at a local MD Motor Vehicle Administration office. It's important to renew your permanent handicap pass before it expires to avoid any potential issues with parking in designated accessible parking spots.
In MD , the duration of parking in a handicap spot is the same as any other parking spot, unless there is a posted time limit specific to the spot. However, it's important to note that only individuals with a valid handicap parking placard or license plate are allowed to park in designated handicap parking spots.
Additionally, MD law requires that individuals with handicap parking passes or license plates must display the pass or plate and their medical certification on the rearview mirror or dashboard of the vehicle while parked in a designated accessible parking spot. Failure to display the pass or plate and medical certification, or parking in a designated accessible parking spot without a valid handicap parking permit, can result in a fine.
It's also important to note that handicap parking spots are reserved for individuals with disabilities who require them, and using them without a valid permit can prevent those who need them from accessing necessary services and facilities. If you witness handicap parking abuse in MD , you are encouraged to contact local authorities immediately to report the vehicle.
How many handicap placards can you have in Maryland?
In MD, an individual is allowed to have one handicap parking pass at a time. However, if the individual has multiple vehicles, they may transfer the placard between vehicles as long as the vehicle is being used to transport the individual with the disability.
It's important to note that the handicap parking pass is only valid when the individual it was issued to is either driving the vehicle or being transported as a passenger in the vehicle. Lending the pass to someone else, even if they are transporting the individual with the disability, is not allowed and can result in fines and penalties.
Additionally, it's important to only use the handicap parking pass when the individual with the disability is being transported or using the vehicle. Using the pass when the individual with the disability is not present is considered handicap parking abuse and can result in fines and penalties.
In Maryland, it is legal to drive with a handicap pass in your possession. However, it's important to note that the handicap parking pass is only valid when the individual it was issued to is either driving the vehicle or being transported as a passenger in the vehicle.
Using the handicap parking pass to park in designated handicap parking spots when the individual with the disability is not present is considered handicap parking abuse and can result in fines and penalties. Additionally, lending the pass to someone else, even if they are transporting the individual with the disability, is not allowed and can result in fines and penalties.
It's also important to display the handicap parking pass in Maryland properly when it is in use. MD law requires that individuals with handicap parking placards or license plates must display the pass or plate and their medical certification on the rearview mirror or dashboard of the vehicle while parked in a designated accessible parking spot. Failure to display the pass or plate and medical certification can result in fines and penalties.
.png)