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Check Out This Comprehensive Guide on Where to Park For Handicap Parking Permit Holders
Guide on Where to Park For Handicap Parking Permit Holders: Can you park at any location when having a handicap placard? It’s a question most individuals applying for the permit for the first time or new to the disabled parking program usually ask.
This article explores the variations of the handicap parking regulations and rules by state. Read through to understand the right place this permit or placard will entitle you to park your vehicle.
Is Handicap Parking Program a Federal Law?
The disabled parking program is a federal law. This law works under the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act outline the main handicap parking program details that all states should adhere to.
Handicap Parking Regulations Vary By State
Despite the law requiring that all the states’ handicap parking programs adhere to the ADA rules, these states and jurisdictions within the states usually have their disabled parking programs. These different program details usually vary. Thus, it’ll be essential to research and understand the different disabled parking rules in your local state or the region you plan to visit.
Does the Program Restrict Disabled Parking Permit Holders From Parking in Some Spaces?
Can you park anywhere when having a handicapped parking permit? The program doesn’t allow you to park anywhere, even having a permit. Adhering to the state’s local parking laws is essential regardless of acquiring the permit.
The handicap parking permits don’t entitle you to disobey the local or state parking laws nor exempt you from paying parking fees.
When having the permit, the program prohibits you from parking in the following areas:
● In a space where the ordinance or law prohibits parking, standing, or stopping of all vehicles
● In spaces that ordinance or law reserves for special vehicles, like commercial or passenger loading vehicles.
● In spaces, the ordinance or law reserves for parking vehicles individual use for street vending businesses.
● In the unloading and loading spaces of a disabled space, authorities mark this area with a blue crosshatch striping.
Furthermore, some jurisdictions or states like California operates a color-coded curb system. For instance, in California, this system prohibits disabled permit holders from parking in the following areas:
● Parking lots with crosshatched pattern marking next to a space having the International Symbol of Access or wheelchair. The state reserves these spaces for wheelchair lift access or wheelchair users.
● Next to red curbs indicating nos parking, standing, or stopping
● Next to yellow curbs, the authorities reserve for loading and unloading freight or passengers from commercial vehicles.
● Next to white curbs, the authorities reserve for depositing mail in adjacent mailboxes or unloading and loading passengers.
Which Parking Spaces Can You Use when Having a Handicap Placard?
In most United States jurisdictions and states, the authorities allow the disability permit holder to park in any accessible parking space for unlimited time and for free. Most authorities signpost these spaces with an International Symbol of Access. However, some jurisdictions entitle their handicapped permit holders to park for free in on-street spaces for a particular time.
Can Disability Placard Holders Park at a Meter For Free?
Most states, including Washington and Texas, allow disabled placard or permit holders to park in time-restricted, metered, and on-street spaces for unlimited time and for free. Nevertheless, some states like Virginia restrict permit holders to parking up to four hours in time-restricted on-street or metered spaces for free.
Furthermore, some states like Illinois have different permits or placards for meter-exempt individuals and disabled people who aren’t meter-exempt. New York authorities allow you to park for free on most city street curbsides when having the NYC Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (PPPD). The authorities provide these permits to residents or visitors with permanent disabilities in the state.
Residential Handicap Parking Spaces
All states allow residents to request the installation of disabled parking spaces near their homes.
In some states like Pennsylvania, it's the responsibility of the local municipality to install requested residential handicap spaces or lots in front of homes.
However, in other jurisdictions, like the Chicago metropolitan, the state has an official program you can use to apply for residential handicap spaces.
Research the Handicap Parking Rules in Your State
The different jurisdictions or states have varying disabled parking rules. Thus, it’s vital to ensure that you are under the rules in your local state or jurisdiction.
The Process of Getting Your Handicap Parking Permit
HandicapMD online clinic offers a straightforward process of getting a handicap parking permit. At this online clinic, you get a telemedicine consultation from a qualified and state-approved medical physician who verifies your program eligibility and completes the DMV application to the state for where to park for disabled parking permit holders.
