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Check Out the Handicap Placard Rules in California
Persons with disabilities who live in the state, whether temporarily or permanently disabled, are eligible for a license or holder plate. This holder plate will allow the individuals to park their cars in the disabled designated spots. If you have a disability and live in CA , you can easily take advantage of this benefit. Read on to find more information about Handicap Parking Placard Rules California.
How Much Does a Disabled Parking Permit Cost?
In the Golden State, the Department of Motor Vehicles issues two different disabled person parking permits. These include temporary parking permits and permanent parking holder.
Temporary Permits
The states give out temporary DP holder to persons with a temporary disability. That means that their disability is just short-term. A good example is an individual who just broke their leg, a pregnant woman, or someone recovering from an operation.
Such a person is not expected to stay with that disability for a long time. You can get a temporary parking permit if you are in such a condition. You will pay $6 as a fee, but a replacement holder will cost you around $21.
Permanent Permits
These holder and license plates are meant for persons with long-term disabilities. If you are eligible for this program and live in the Golden State , you might obtain a replacement and new disabled person holder for free. You will receive the card for all your vehicles.
Eligibility for a Disabled Person Parking Permit
To qualify for the disabled person license plates or the disabled holder , you must have impaired mobility that came as a result of the reasons listed below:
• You lost both or one leg or arm.
• You cannot use one or both arms or legs.
• You have a technical disease that is affecting your mobility – you cannot move or use your hands or feet because of the condition.
• You need assistance to move. That could be via devices such as a zimmer frame, wheelchair, or crutches.
• You possess documented visual problems like partial-sightedness or lower-vision
According to the state, there is a wide range of conditions that can affect your mobility in the Golden State. These may include conditions such as:
• Severe cardiac conditions make you use a wheelchair more often
• Rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis
• Respiratory diseases – such that you need to carry a portable oxygen tank
• Chronic illnesses such as emphysema, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and COPD
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Sight issues
• Prosthetic limb (legs, hands, or arms)
• Acute sunlight sensitivity
• A health condition that requires you to use an assistive device
• Illnesses like obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus
However, it would help if you understood that a medical professional would have the final say whether you are eligible to receive a disabled parking license plate or not.
Invisible Disability and DP Parking Permit
As for the people living with an invisible disability, you could talk to your physician to let them know your intentions. Ask them whether you are eligible for the parking sign for the disabled. They will assess your situation and let you know whether you can benefit from that program or not. Some common conditions that may qualify you for the disabled permit include:
• Seizure disorders
• Chronic pain
• Muscular disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Bone disorders
• Organ transplant
Placards Vs. License Plates
The parking signs for disabled people in the Golden State come in two formats. These include license plates. These two signs have no significant distinctions, but placement in the car is the main difference. The holder is placed where anyone can easily see it even though it is not permanently fixed to the vehicle.
Technically the essence here is to use it in different vehicles. You can remove the card and fix it in on a different car you wish to travel with on a future date. A license plate remains permanently on the attached vehicle that was issued. You cannot switch this plate and fix it in another car.
Parking Privileges
Both license plates offer similar parking privileges to disabled persons. With these cards, you can park in any of the following spaces:
• Where a merchant or residence sign is required
• Parking spots that have a wheelchair symbol
• Adjacent a green curb indicating limited time parking
• Adjacent a blue curb that is set aside for people with disabilities
The Vehicle Code allows persons with disabilities to park in on-street metered parking spots and should not pay any parking fees. CADMV also dictates that a disabled individual that bears the license plate can park at a disabled parking spot whether the spot is reserved or not.
Additional Privileges
The disabled parking sign also come with additional privileges. If you own a license plate, all service stations are supposed to refuel your car at self-service rates unless only one employee is available at the station.
Eligibility Criteria
Understand qualifying medical conditions are equal for the license plates and DP license. However, if your disability is not permanent, you will only receive a temporary one. The license plates are never issued temporarily.
Types of Disabled Person Cards
According to the CA DMV, there are three distinct parking holder . They include temporary, permanent, and travel licenses. All three have different roles to play in the life of a disabled individual.
Permanent
The permanent license are to be used by drivers who bear permanent disabilities. The holder validity may differ in different states, but it is valid for about two years in the Golden State. The holder expire at the end of June in all the odd-numbered years. The Golden State laws state that an individual will only have one permanent holder with them.
Temporary
These signs are meant for any individual that has a temporary disability. The disability must be certified by a medical practitioner. This one will be effective for around six months or could go up to the date indicated on the medical certificate. The authorities choose the shorter time frame of the two. One can renew this holder up to six times.
Travel
According to the CA DMV, these travel docs are for permanently disabled individuals who wish to travel to other states. That means anyone if you are permanently disabled and want to travel out of CA, you can be issued with a travel holder . It may be issued to residents of Ca as they visit other states or other states residents visiting Cali.
Travel for Non-residents
Only non-residents are allowed to use this document. They must have a permanent disability and a license plate or disability holder . This document is only valid for about 90 days. It expires 90 days after it was issued to the disabled individual.
Travel for Residents
Typically, it is a holder for the CA residents that already have a permanent parking holder , disabled veteran license plate, or DP license plates. This travel docs for the CA residents is valid for 30 days only since the disabled driver received it.
Applying for a DP placard or DP license plate
Before applying for the disabled license plate, you need to consult with a medical practitioner. They are responsible for verifying if you need disabled parking. You may decide to consult with the medical team via teleconsultation or in person with a professional in your disability.
The professional could be a licensed physician assistant, surgeon, physician, chiropractor, nurse practitioner, or optometrist. If this professional sees it fit for you to acquire a license plate, they will fill out the CA DMV form for license plates. They have to state your disability and write down the eligible card you require.
Exemptions From Medical Certification
There are exceptional cases where disabled individuals do not need to secure medical certification before applying for a license plate. These instances do not require examination as everyone can see the disability in question. A good example is a disabled person with no legs or one leg. Here all you do is visit the DMV offices and fill out the disability holder form, but you should be present in person.
People with a permanent or disabled veteran license plate can secure a disabled license plate without seeking medical certification.
Additional requirements
Any individual applying for the disabled sign for parking must prove that the vehicle they are registering is theirs. They must show that they own that car by providing all the relevant documentation for the vehicle. You must also give the existing license plates to Cali DMV before you are given the disabled person plates. The state cannot give out the license plates to individuals that do not own the cars they want to plates for.
Completing the application process
You must duly fill out the application form and submit it to CAli DMV. There are two different ways to submit your application. You can do it via mail or in-person if convenient for you.
Applying in person
If this is what you wish for, make sure you call the DMV offices first to book an appointment. You can call the number (800) 777-0133 and schedule an appointment.
Applying by mail
Any disabled person that wishes to apply for the license plate for disabled persons can do so via mail. All you need to do is download the disabled persons' application form and then head over to a medical practitioner. Have them assess you and sign the form, after which you will post it together with the payment. You can send the mail to:
DMV
PO BOX 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232-3450
You will wait for around four weeks to receive your disability parking .
Parking Rules for Limitations of DP Cards and Plates
License plates and DP holder offer disabled persons the benefit of parking in designated spots for disabled individuals. There may be limitations to parking your car, even if you have a license . Parking in the following spots or places is an offense even with the parking cards.:
• Adjacent to yellow curbs intended for commercial cars loading and unloading of passengers.
• Adjacent to red curbs that indicate no parking, standing, or stopping.
• Adjacent to white curbs for unloading and loading passengers or depositing mail.
• Places that bear a crosshatched pattern next to an area that has the wheelchair symbol.
• Private spots marked with a license plate number or name of an individual.
Using another person's holder
Disabled persons must ensure that they are the only ones using the license issued by the DMV for parking and even when being assisted at service stations. It is not acceptable to:
• Lend the to a family member or a friend
• Use another disabled person
• Display counterfeit license plates
• Give false information to receive a license plate
• Change your identification card or DP holder in any way
California DP Parking Rules for Replacements
If the license plate is stolen, gets lost, or is damaged, the individual will have to replace it. You will have to apply once more by completing and signing the application form for a replacement plate. You can apply in person by scheduling an appointment or sending the application form via mail.
If replacing a temporary one, you will have to pay a fee. Travel and permanent ones are free of charge.
Renewing an expired DP card
Permanent disabled holder parking signs are only valid for two years in Cali. Individuals do not need to renew the holder once it expires. DMV will send you a mail with the new holder and identification card.
However, that will only happen with the first two renewals. Individuals will have to apply again for the third time but will not need a medical certificate. As for the temporary parking holder , it is valid for six months or the specified date by the practitioner, whichever is shorter. Once it expires, you have to apply again and sign the medical practitioner's application form. Get your handicap parking placard online today.
Address changes
If you move from the place you currently live, it is prudent to notify CA DMV via mail. Inform them of your changes in address and give them the right address.
Handicap Parking Placard Rules California
When you have a handicap parking placard in California, there are rules and regulations that you must follow. Here are some of the most important ones:
- It must be displayed on the rearview mirror or dashboard of the vehicle when parked in a handicap space.
- It can only be used by the person to whom it was issued. It cannot be used by family members or friends, even if they are driving the vehicle.
- You cannot lend your it to anyone or use it in a vehicle that does not have the person to whom it was issued present.
- You cannot use it to park in a handicap space if you are not the driver or a passenger in the vehicle.
- You cannot use it if it has expired or if it has been reported lost or stolen.
- You cannot use it if it has been issued to someone who has passed away.
How to Apply for a Handicap Parking Placard in California
To apply for disabled parking in California, you must complete an application form, which is available from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website or your local DMV office. You will need to provide your personal information, including your name, address, and driver's license number, as well as your doctor's certification of your disability.
There are two types of handicap parking cards available in California: permanent and temporary. Permanent ones are valid for up to two years and can be renewed if your disability still qualifies. Temporary ones are valid for up to six months and can be renewed for a maximum of three times.
Conclusion
Disability parking cards are an important resource for people with disabilities in California. By following the rules and regulations surrounding disability parking card, you can ensure that you use them appropriately and avoid fines or penalties. Remember to always keep your handicap parking placard up-to-date and use it only when you are the driver or passenger in the vehicle.
We hope this article has provided you with the information you need to understand the Handicap Parking Placard Rules California. If you have any further questions, please consult your local DMV office.
