If you are a resident of Virginia with a disability, you may be eligible to apply for a Virginia handicap parking placard. Handicap placards can provide easier access to parking spaces and other benefits for those with disabilities. Here is what you need to know about Virginia handicap placards:
There are several types of VA handicap passes available, depending on the nature and duration of your disability:
Temporary pass (valid for up to six months)
Permanent pass (valid for up to five years)
Disability license plate (valid for the duration of your vehicle registration)
Disabled veteran license plate (valid for the duration of your vehicle registration)
Institutional pass (valid for up to five years)
Out-of-state visitors to VA can also use their home state's handicap parking pass, provided they comply with Virginia's handicap parking laws.
VA has strict laws and regulations governing handicap passes. The permit holder is the only person authorized to use the pass. Misusing, altering, or counterfeiting a handicap permit can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months of jail time. Violators may also have their future handicap parking privileges revoked.
When parked in a designated handicap spot, the permit must be displayed on the rearview mirror, and the pass must be removed before the vehicle is in motion. Failure to do so may result in a citation.
To qualify for a handicap parking permit in VA, an applicant must meet one or more of the following requirements:
Inability to walk 200 feet without resting
Requires the use of a brace, cane, crutch, wheelchair, prosthetic device, another person or other form of assistance
Limited mobility due to a neurological, orthopedic or arthritic condition
Requires the use of a portable oxygen tank
Has a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition according to the standards of the American Heart Association
Severely limited as a result of lung disease
Has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a similar form of dementia
Has been diagnosed with a developmental or mental amentia or delay impairing judgment, such as an autism spectrum disorder
Being legally deaf or blind
Applicants can apply for a Virginia handicap parking passby submitting an application via mail or at a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office. To apply, applicants must:
Complete the Disabled Parking Placard or License Plates Application (Form MED 10)
Have one of the following medical professionals complete the medical certification section:
Licensed physician
Chiropractor
Podiatrist
Nurse practitioner
Physician assistant
Pay the applicable fees (placards cost $5; license plates cost normal vehicle registration fees)
Institutions and organizations that regularly transport disabled people can apply for a free handicap placard. Disabled veterans can also apply for a handicap license plate with a medical certification and certification from the Veteran’s Administration stating that their disability was service-related.
Temporary handicap passes must be renewed with a new application and medical certification. Permanent passes can be renewed online, by mail, or in person, and do not require a new medical certification.
VA handicap passes can provide much-needed accessibility for those with disabilities. If you believe you qualify for a handicap parking permit in VA, contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles or a licensed physician for more information.
In VA, the law allows residents with disabilities to apply for a handicap parking permit through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The permit can take the form of a temporary or permanent pass, a disability license plate, a disabled veteran license plate, or an institutional placard. Visitors to VA can also use a handicap parking pass from their home state as long as they follow the specific handicap parking laws for VA. However, those who misuse, alter, or counterfeit a handicap permit may face fines and jail time, and all future handicap parking privileges may be revoked. To qualify for a handicap parking permit, applicants must meet certain requirements related to their ability to walk, their mobility limitations, and any medical conditions they may have. To apply for a handicap parking permit in VA, applicants must complete the Disabled Parking Placard or License Plates Application, have a medical professional complete the medical certification section, and pay the applicable fees. Permanent placard renewals can be done online, by mail, or in person without the need for a new medical certification.
If you have a valid handicap parking pass from another state, you can use it in VA as long as you follow the specific handicap parking laws for VA. Visitors to Virginia are allowed to use their out-of-state handicap parking pass for the duration of their stay in VA. However, it is important to note that Virginia has its own criteria and requirements for issuing handicap parking permits, so it is recommended that visitors with disabilities check with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
In VA, designated handicap parking spaces are typically located in convenient locations near building entrances, elevators, and ramps. While there is no cost to park in a handicap parking space, a valid handicap parking permit is required to use the space.
However, it is important to note that some parking facilities, such as private parking garages, may charge a fee for parking, including handicap parking spaces. In addition, if you park in a handicap parking space without a valid handicap parking permit, you may be subject to a fine. It is important to follow all rules and regulations related to handicap parking in VA to avoid any penalties or fees.
If you witness a handicap parking violation in VA, you can report it to local law enforcement or the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by following these steps:
Obtain the necessary information: Record the license plate number, make and model of the vehicle, and the location of the violation.
Contact local law enforcement: If you witness a handicap parking violation in progress, call the non-emergency number for your local police department to report the violation. Provide the information you have collected to the dispatcher.
Contact the Virginia DMV: If you discover a vehicle parked illegally in a handicap parking space or if you have witnessed a violation and the vehicle has left the scene, you can report it to the Virginia DMV. You can either fill out an online form on the DMV website or call the DMV at (804) 367-0538. Provide the information you have collected to the DMV representative.
It is important to note that reporting a handicap parking violation in VA does not guarantee that the violator will receive a citation or penalty. However, reporting violations can help local authorities and the DMV enforce handicap parking laws and ensure that handicap parking spaces are available for those who need them.
In VA, the fee for a disability placard is $5. However, there is no fee for a disability placard issued to an institution that regularly transports disabled persons.
In addition, if you are eligible for a disability license plate, the cost is the same as the regular vehicle registration fee.
It is important to note that fees for disability passes and license plates are subject to change, so it is recommended that you check the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website or contact the DMV directly for the most up-to-date fee information.
In VA, the validity period for a handicap pass depends on the type of pass you have:
Temporary Pass: Valid for up to 6 months.
Permanent Pass: Valid for up to 5 years.
Disability License Plate: Valid for the duration of your vehicle registration.
Disabled Veteran License Plate: Valid for the duration of your vehicle registration.
Institutional Pass: Valid for up to 5 years.
It is important to note that the expiration date of a handicap pass is indicated on the pass itself. If you need to renew your temporary handicap pass, you will need to submit a new application with a new medical certification. Permanent pass renewals can be renewed online, by mail, or in person and do not require a new medical certification.
The process for renewing a handicap parking pass in Virginia depends on whether you have a temporary or permanent placard.
Temporary Pass: To renew a temporary pass, you will need to submit a new application with a new medical certification.
Permanent Pass: Permanent pass renewals can be renewed online, by mail, or in person and do not require a new medical certification. You will need to complete the Disabled Parking Placard or License Plates Application (Form MED 10) and submit it to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with the applicable fee ($5). You can renew your permanent pass up to 90 days prior to the expiration date.
It is important to note that the expiration date of your handicap pass is indicated on the pass itself. If you have any questions or concerns about renewing your handicap placard in VA, you can contact the Virginia DMV for more information.
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