Living with a disability can be challenging, but the state of Tennessee offers assistance to those who require special parking accommodations. If you have a disability, you may be eligible for one of several types of handicap parking permits in Tennessee. In this article, we will provide information on how to apply for a TN handicap placard and important laws that you should know.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue offers several types of handicap parking permits to individuals with disabilities. The available types include:
Permanent handicap pass
Temporary handicap pass
Handicap license plate
License plate handicap decal
If you have a handicap parking pass from another state, you can use it in TN as long as you follow the state's handicap parking laws.
If you have a TN handicap parking pass, you must display it clearly from your rearview mirror when parked in a handicap spot. Failure to do so could result in a citation. You must also remove the handicap passwhen your vehicle is in motion. Additionally, individuals with a handicap parking pass must be either the driver or a passenger in the vehicle when the pass is being used. Failure to comply with these laws could result in a fine or citation.
When completing your handicap parking permit application, you must state whether you meet any of the following requirements:
Disabled by paraplegia or amputation of one or more limbs
Confined to a wheelchair due to a severe disability
Unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
Require the use of a crutch, brace, or other assistive device
Suffering from pulmonary or cardiac illnesses
Having vision of 20/200 or less with corrective lenses
Seeking treatment for a disability solely through prayer in the practice of religion and certified by a Christian Science practitioner
To apply for a Tennessee handicap pass, you can submit a completed handicap parking permit application form either by mail or in person. The application process includes:
Completing the Application for Disabled Person parking License Plate, Placard and/or Decal (Form RV-F1310301)
Having the form certified by a medical professional for your disability, including:
A licensed medical doctor
A physician’s assistant
A nurse practitioner
A Christian Science practitioner listed in the Christian Science Journal
Paying the applicable fees (temporary placards are $10; permanent placards are $21.50; license plates are $21.50; a handicap decal is free)
You can also obtain online medical certification from a licensed physician in TN. Please visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue website for more information.
Temporary handicap passes are valid for up to six months and can only be renewed one time. To renew your temporary pass, you must fill out a new application form, provide a new medical certification, and pay a $10 renewal fee.
Permanent handicap passes are valid for up to two years. To renew your permanent pass, you must fill out a new application form and pay a $3 renewal fee. You do not need to provide a new medical certification.
Handicap license plates are valid for one year and are renewed when you renew your vehicle registration. The renewal fee is $21.50.
If you believe you may qualify for a handicap parking pass in TN, be sure to contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Licensed physicians are available in every state to evaluate your disability and determine your eligibility.
Yes, if you have a valid handicap parking pass from another state, you may use it in TN as long as you follow Tennessee's handicap parking laws. However, if you are a TN resident, you must apply for a TN handicap placard by completing an application form and having it certified by a medical professional for your disability. Depending on your disability, you may be eligible for a permanent or temporary handicap pass, a handicap license plate, or a license plate handicap decal. It is important to note that if you receive a handicap parking pass in TN, you must display it prominently from your rearview mirror when parked in a handicap spot and remove it when you put the vehicle in motion. Additionally, only the driver of the vehicle or a passenger with the eligible applicant may use the handicap pass, and failure to comply with these regulations may result in a fine or citation.
The Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) that governs handicap parking is Title 55, Chapter 21, Part 4, which is also known as the Tennessee Disabled Persons Parking Enforcement Act. This law outlines the requirements for the issuance of handicap parking permits, including who is eligible to receive a permit and how to obtain one. It also includes regulations for the use of handicap parking spaces, such as displaying the handicap pass prominently and removing it when the vehicle is in motion. Violations of these regulations may result in fines or citations.
In TN, a person can only have one handicap placard at a time. This is true whether the placard is a temporary or permanent one. If a person needs to renew their handicap pass, they must fill out a new application form and provide a new medical certification, along with paying the applicable fees. It is important to note that misuse of a handicap pass, including using an expired or counterfeit one, may result in fines or other penalties.
In TN, the fine for parking in a handicap spot without a valid handicap pass or license plate can vary depending on the jurisdiction. However, according to the Tennessee Disabled Persons Parking Enforcement Act, the fine for violating handicap parking regulations cannot be less than $50 or more than $200. In addition to the fine, the violator may also be required to attend a driver education course. It is important to note that the fines and penalties for misuse of a handicap pass, including using an expired or counterfeit one, may be even more severe.
In TN, the cost of a disability placard depends on the type of permit being requested. As of September 2021, the fees for handicap parking permits in TN are as follows:
Temporary pass: $10
Permanent pass: $21.50
License plate: $21.50
Handicap decal: Free
These fees are subject to change, so it is best to check with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for the most up-to-date information. It is important to note that there are no additional fees for obtaining the medical certification required to apply for a handicap parking permit in TN.
In TN, the duration of the validity of a handicap pass varies depending on the type of permit issued:
Temporary handicap placards are valid for up to six months and can only be renewed one time.
Permanent handicap placards are valid for up to two years.
Handicap license plates are valid for one year and are renewed when the vehicle registration is renewed.
It is important to note that if the person's disability has improved and the pass or license plate is no longer needed, it must be surrendered to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Additionally, if a person needs to renew their handicap pass or license plate, they must fill out a new application form, provide a new medical certification, and pay the applicable renewal fee.
To renew a handicap placard in Tennessee, you must fill out a new application form, provide a new medical certification for your disability, and pay the applicable renewal fee. The renewal process varies depending on the type of permit:
Temporary handicap passes can only be renewed once, and a new application form must be submitted along with the $10 renewal fee.
Permanent handicap passes must be renewed every two years, and a new application form must be submitted along with the $3 renewal fee. A new medical certification is not required for the renewal of a permanent pass.
Handicap license plates are renewed at the same time the vehicle registration is renewed. The renewal fee is $21.50.
It is important to note that you should begin the renewal process before your current handicap pass expires to ensure that you have a valid pass at all times. You can submit your application in person at your local county clerk's office, by mail, or online if eligible.
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