Handicap Parking Permit Guide for People With Disabilities

Parking accessibility is crucial since twenty-six percent of the adult population in America are living with temporary or permanent disabilities. More than half of these adults, a full fourteen percent, have mobility-related limitations that can interfere with daily tasks such as using stairs or walking. Fortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and states laws offer relief for most disabled adults by requiring a minimum number of parking spaces for private businesses and public agencies.

Medical content reviewed by Dr Eric Jackson-Scott MD, Chief Medical Officer

Saving time and energy through this simple solution is within reach. Accessible parking spaces are set up to offer easy access to ramps and doors and allow space for those with wheelchairs and other assistive devices to maneuver. If you have a medically documented mobility issue, you most likely qualify for a parking permit to utilize these spaces.

What Qualifies as a Disability

The Americans with Disabilities Act details the qualifications for disability. Under this act, you are considered disabled when you have a mental or physical impairment that significantly impacts and limits major life activities. The ADA does not typically apply to those with minor impairments.

If your condition is on the list below, it is covered by the ADA, and you qualify for accommodations.

Substantially impaired mobility such as the need for a wheelchair
Loss of both hands
Loss of one or both legs
Limited use of hands or legs
Diseases that limit your ability to use your legs or walk
Heart disease
Lung disease
Vision problems including issues such as partial sightedness

Additional conditions that are commonly covered by states laws include the use of portable oxygen and elderly status. Temporary permits may be issued to pregnant women with complications and those who have had a recent major surgery.

Regrettably, not all states offer parking permits to people whose conditions fall outside the federal guidelines. For example, those with skin conditions exacerbated by sunlight or other conditions not mentioned above that might require easier access to entryways are only sometimes qualified. Always check your state eligibility guidelines. Laws change, and some areas have a broader definition of disabilities than the federal minimum requirements for accessibility access.

How to Get a Handicap Parking Permit/Placard

Getting your handicapped permit or placard can be a life-changing event that offers accessibility to those who have struggled or even been unable to do certain activities. However, it is important to note that this is not instantaneous. While the steps may vary slightly from state to state, the general process is outlined below.

Determine whether your disability is covered by the ADA or state laws in your area. Generally, you can find this out by contacting the DMV or your primary care physician.
Get the application paperwork.
Fill out the applicant portion of the paperwork, or have a representative do so on your behalf if your disability limits your hand mobility.
Obtain the necessary physicians' certification to qualify. This often involves getting a physical and almost always requires a doctor, optometrist, or other relevant, state-certified medical practitioner to sign their portion of the paperwork. In some cases, they may provide additional documentation to include, but this isn't always necessary. Ensure that you bring the necessary application paperwork with you to your medical visit or follow the steps given by your local DMV. In some cases, this step may be waived when the disability is visually obvious, as would be the case for missing limbs or elderly persons in states where that condition is a qualifier. However, you must inquire about this in advance. Never assume you will qualify based on looks alone.
Submit your application and pay any fees. Usually, a permit will cost somewhere between nothing, as is often the case for military veterans, up to roughly twenty dollars. However, the fees are subject to change.

Your state may issue a permit that hangs on the mirror, a sticker for your license plate, or another form of permit. These are equally valid, and it is up to the state to decide which one(s) they recognize and issue. Similarly, some states have online portals for processing this type of permit request, while others require physical copies mailed in or returned to the DMV.

Renew Your Permits On Time

Handicapped parking permits are not permanent. It is essential to note when yours is up for renewal. An expired permit is not valid and does not grant you any special permissions for parking. Your vehicle can be towed like any other, so it's important to maintain a current permit. Rates for a handicap parking permit renewal also vary by state, though they are often comparable to the initial fee for obtaining a new permit.

Types of Handicap Permits, Placards, Decals, and License Plates

There are two general categories for handicapped permits, placards decals and license plates. The first category is temporary. These are red and often expire after six months. Your eligibility for renewal depends on the condition, but some states may extend a temporary permit if the condition continues to limit mobility.

The second type is for permanent conditions. These are blue. Although the disability is something the permit owner will deal with for the remainder of their life, it is still necessary to renew these permits from time to time. Usually, they are valid for a year or longer and don't necessitate frequent trips to the doctor.

Can I Park Anywhere With a Handicap Placard

You are not required to use a designated accessible parking spot if you have a permit. However, only those who have them may legally park in those spots. Additionally, a permit does not grant you special access to any other parking spot, nor does it allow you to park in loading zones, emergency lanes, or other non-handicapped parking areas.

As adata.com (https://adata.org/factsheet/parking) points out, there are exceptions to the laws that require accessible parking areas. Facilities intended exclusively for law enforcement, vehicular impound, buses, trucks, or delivery vehicles do not have to have special parking. However, when these facilities are available to the public, they must have an accessible passenger loading zone.

Both residential facilities and those with parking areas that offer four or fewer spaces do not have to provide signage. The parking in these facilities is not exclusive, but they still must have at least one space that otherwise permits reasonable accessibility.

Additionally, permit holders do not have special access to any parking spot or zone in a public parking lot that is set aside for a specific non-public or non-parking use. These include but are not limited to food trucks and loading zones. Moreover, you cannot block the accessibility of another vehicle in a designated handicapped parking space. These areas are marked with crosshatched paint and indicate the space is reserved for activities like van unloading and wheelchair users.

What Do I Do About a Handicap Permit When I Travel

Handicapped parking permits are often reciprocal, meaning nearby states will recognize them. However, it is not a guarantee. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to inquire ahead if they plan to cross state borders and use a parking permit. Failure to do so can result in an unrecognized permit, which is the same as not having one at all.

You can easily get the information you need by calling a DMV for any state where you plan to travel. Some states require additional permits for out-of-state permission. If your permit is not valid where you plan to travel, you can apply for a permit in that state. Make sure you do so well in advance of any travel plans as it can often take several weeks to arrive in the mail. In rare instances, you may need a registered doctor to practice in the state where you are traveling to sign off on the additional permit.

Regardless of the location, your accessibility placard should include the International Symbol of Access which is the image of a person in a wheelchair. The symbol should be white on a blue background unless it is a temporary permit, and it must be at least three inches in height. Placards also have an identification number, expiration date, and seal.

What Do I Do If My Handicap Placard Is Lost or Stolen

Always keep your receipts for a disability placard. Sadly, thieves often target these hanging parking permits, and having your receipt will prove that the placard in question is yours. Plus, it will make it easier to replace.

If your vehicle is missing the handicap placard, do not park in a designated spot. Doing so runs the risk of getting a ticket or even having your vehicle towed. You can end up paying a hefty fine for parking in a spot while you don't have permission. If possible, ask a friend or family member to drive and have them drop you off near the doors of businesses while you resolve the issue. Follow the steps below to replace your placard.

Steps to Replace an Accessibility Placard

Report the theft. While this isn't strictly required in every state, it may help local law enforcement to return your placard or at least crackdown on theft in the area. Additionally, some states may waive a replacement fee if you can show you reported it stolen.
Obtain an Application for Disabled Person Placard. This is usually the same form, whether it's new or a replacement, so you will likely already know where to get yours. If not, ask your DMV or doctor where to go in your area.
Copy your validated receipt for the original placard.
If you don't have the receipt, or your state requires it, have your doctor fill out the Physician's Statement for Disabled Person's Placard. Unlike medical records, permit forms are not something most doctors copy and keep in your permanent file, so you may need to bring it in, fax, or email the document.
Submit or return the form to the DMV and pay any associated fees. Most states don't require a fee, or it is nominal for a replacement. Likewise, you will often find you don't need to make a special trip to the doctor, especially if they already signed the original form.

Just as it is for the original form, you may be able to do all these steps online in some states. However, it will take days or even weeks to receive your new placard in the mail. You can inquire about expedited service, though not every DMV offers this option.

What Do I Do If I Can't Find a Handicap Spot

Your options are limited if all the accessible parking is occupied. If the problem is ongoing, you can try rescheduling your visits to certain locations. For example, if the grocery store is always packed on Saturday, it may be easier to shop on a Tuesday. This isn't practical for all circumstances, but it can help.

Your second option is to check and see if every vehicle using the accessible parking has appropriate tags. Reporting violators will help you and everyone else who genuinely needs parking access. Sadly, this won't always yield immediate results.

You can park further out and wait for a spot to open up in some cases. Finally, you may have no choice but to park in the nearest available spot that is not otherwise taken. This is always a sub-optimal option, and it's not going to work at all for some. That is why the Americans with Disabilities Act exists. However, businesses are only required to offer a certain amount of accessible parking based on their lot size. They do not have any control over the drivers who park there.

How Do I Report Cars Parked Illegally in a Handicap Spot

Before you report a car for parking illegally, make certain it is actually there wrongfully. Check for the relevant markings such as decals or plates. Keep in mind that not all disabilities are easy to spot simply by watching someone exit a car. People with less obvious disabilities have the same rights as someone with easy to spot issues. Often called 'hidden illnesses,' there are numerous conditions you cannot see that nonetheless warrant easy access to buildings.

Avoid personal confrontations. They only put you in danger. However, public businesses, that is, those that are open to the public, have public parking lots. You may want to use a cell phone camera to document the illegal parkers' license plates tactfully. Particularly if the same car is parking in an illegal spot repeatedly, this can be useful evidence. Police aren't always available right away, and the burden of proof lies with the accuser.

Alternately, some cities have special hotlines you can use to report illegal parking. Since this is a common scenario and up to one in every four accessible parking spots can have illegal vehicles, it's a great way for police departments to keep officers busy on slow days. Parking fines help finance improvements to the city after all.

You can dial 911 or the non-emergency line for your local police department. If you're not comfortable doing this, there are still ways to report the issue. HandicappedFraud.org is a website that allows citizens to report the location, date, time, and license plate number of violators. They turn this information in for law enforcement to follow up on later.

The DMV also has a system for reporting. Typically this involves filling out forms either in person or online. In most states, the DMV has a department responsible for investigating misuse of disabled parking permits, and they may also look into fraudulent parkers.

Finally, there's an app for that. A nonprofit organization called Parking Mobility has a downloadable app that allows drivers to report illegal occupation of handicapped spaces. The downside to this method is that it's only available in cities that are signed up for the service.

Is There Handicap Parking Etiquette

Handicap parking etiquette is relatively simple. There are three different types of accessible parking spaces, and using the correct one when it's an option is considered polite. The standard space is marked by a sign or painted image of the international symbol, a person in a wheelchair. Other accessible spots are made for one or two-sided handicapped vans. These will have striped markings on one or both sides to allow room for loading and unloading. Use the spot that best fits your needs and leave other spots available whenever possible. Below are the other etiquette standards.

Most importantly, always display your permit clearly.
Don't use a space without a permit.
Don't park in the striped or cross-hatched aisles that are meant for van unloading.
Never lend your permit to another person unless they are driving you.

How Can My City Improve Handicap Parking

There are some easy steps any city can take to make accessible parking available to everyone who needs it. Ensuring that all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act are met is the most important. New buildings and public parking areas should have the required number and type of spaces.

Holding violators accountable and enforcing penalties and fines is a superb way to improve access. Your city can also implement technological advances like Parking Access Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) and sign up for services like the Parking Mobility app.