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Check Some Info on Getting an Emergency Disabled Parking Permit?
Can I Get an Emergency Disabled Parking Permit?: Not all disabilities are permanent. However, a serious injury or handicap may dramatically impact your ability to gain access to certain buildings via their parking lot. Just running a routine errand can feel like an insurmountable task in such a situation. Even though you know will get better soon, that is little consolation when you have no idea how you will get from your car to the front entrance of the building. Thankfully, there is a way for you to accomplish what you need to do and save your body the wear and tear that will only extend your recovery time. You may qualify for an emergency handicapped parking permit that is issued on a temporary basis. This could be the solution to the problem you are currently facing. The process for getting one of these emergency placards may differ somewhat from that of getting a regular handicapped parking permit. Because of that, you will want to continue reading to learn more about what you need to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Step 1: See if Your Condition Qualifies You For an Emergency Disabled Parking Permit
It is important to note that you need to have the proper permit displayed on your vehicle before you can park in a space designated for disabled individuals. If your mobility is severely limited in some way, you will likely qualify for such a permit, even if only on an emergency basis. Some of the injuries or conditions that often qualify people for an emergency disabled parking permit include having a broken bone or another type of medical condition that is not believed to be permanent. Some of the most commonly cited conditions that qualify for such a permit include:
Going through an at-risk pregnancy
Having a leg injury that limits your ability to walk
Currently recovering from neck or back surgery
Going through chemotherapy or radiation cancer treatments
A medical condition that requires you to temporarily make use of a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or a walker
If any of these conditions were to be deemed permanent, then you would want to apply for a different type of disabled parking placard. However, if the injury or condition is not permanent then you may be a good candidate for an emergency disabled parking permit.
Step 2: Fill Out a Temporary Placard Application
If you have determined that you are a candidate for a temporary disabled parking placard, your next step should be to fill out the application form required by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. You can either visit a local office or look on their website to find an application form that you can download. Most websites will also have detailed instructions regarding how specifically to fill out the form and what documentation you need to submit with the application. The form will also detail where to send the application once you have completed it.
Most temporary disabled parking placards will be valid for three to six months. The total time period will depend on the state where you live. If your permit happens to expire and you are still recovering from your injury or medical condition, it is quite likely that you apply for an extension. Keep in mind that most states will have a limit on many times an emergency disabled parking placard can be renewed. You should also note that most state DMV offices will charge a small fee for the temporary permit, but this will usually be $10 or less.
Step 3: Get a Medical Certification
No matter what state you happen to live in, you will need to obtain certification from a physician before you can apply for an emergency disabled parking placard. Specifically, your doctor will need to confirm that you meet at least one of the criteria to being granted such a parking permit, usually involving a temporary injury or medical condition. You might be wondering what you can do if you are not currently being seen by a doctor. Alternatively, your doctor may be located too far away to make it easy for you to get to their office. You may not need to attend an in-person appointment. There is the option of using a service like that offered by HandicapMD. This is an online service that can help put you in contact with a medical professional in your location that can assist you in getting the certificate that you need to submit with your application. This will be a telemedicine appointment that will take place entirely online. In most cases, this is a less expensive option than visiting the doctor's office in the first place.
Step 4: Be Prepared to Wait
Sadly, there is no way to make the process go quicker than it already does in most states. You will just need to be patient and wait. You can speed up things by making sure that you complete the application correctly the first time and that you submit the proper documentation with your application. One way to make sure you get your application received and responded to in a timely manner is to call the DMV or submit it in person. You can also ask an employee to fast-track the application or to tell you their recommendation to get the decal as quickly as possible. Feel free to talk about your medical condition and explain why you are in urgent need of this emergency disabled parking permit. If it appears that you are just going to have to wait until the application is approved, you will need to work on some alternatives in the meantime. You will want to think about how are going to logistically drive and park while you wait for your permit. You might need to ask some family members or friends to help drive you around in the interim. An alternative is a ride-sharing service or a private taxi.
If you find yourself suddenly injured and unable to walk long distances, having an emergency disabled parking permit can really be a lifesaver. You will just want to follow the steps detailed in this article in order to ensure the application is filled out correctly the first time. Of course, the hope is that you recover fully as soon as possible and that you will not need the permit for very long. This is the info on Can I Get an Emergency Disabled Parking Permit?
