What To Do If You Lose Your Disabled Parking Placard

What To Do If You Lose Your Disabled Parking Placard
 

What To Do If You Lose Your Disabled Parking Placard - If you are disabled, a handicapped parking permit provides you with a much needed lifeline that makes driving so much easier and more convenient. It provides you with a sense of freedom that comes with knowing you are able to park in an accessible spot as you go through your daily routine. While the application process for such a placard is different from one state to another, the general premise remains the same. As long you qualify, you will be able to park in a handicapped accessible parking spot, thereby making it much more manageable to get in and out of buildings. Thankfully, the process to get a placard is usually quite painless and not very expensive no matter what state you are in. The question becomes what to do if you happen to lose the very placard that has made your life behind the wheel so much more manageable. Continue reading to learn what you should do in the event that you do lose your disabled parking placard, or it is stolen.

To begin, it is helpful to know what qualifies someone to be issued a disabled parking decal. While these qualifications may be slightly different depending on the state that you live in, the following conditions will usually allow you to be issued such a placard:

• People who are unable to walk more than 200 feet without needing to take a break
• People who have a lung disease that restricts their ability to breathe, or who have a low level of oxygen
• People who have limited mobility due to arthritis, neurological problems, or a type of orthopedic medical issue
• People who need to have a portable oxygen tank with them at all times
• People who cannot walk unless they have a cane, brace, or a second person to assist them
• People who the American Heart Association has classified as having a Class 3 or Class 4 cardiac condition
• People who have been issued a disabled parking placard in another state already
• People who are officially registered as being a 100% disabled veteran

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of qualifications. There are also so-called hidden illnesses that may qualify you for a disabled parking placard. If you are in doubt, you will want to consult with your family doctor.

Once you have been issued your handicapped parking decal, make sure it is clearly visible whenever you park. If you fail to do so, a fine may be issued even if you have a qualifying disability.

How Do I Replace a Lost Handicap Placard?

The most important thing to remember is that you must stop parking in handicapped designated parking spaces if you lost your disabled parking placard. You will first need to get a new one before you can resume your parking privileges. Failing to do this can result in hefty fines being levied against you. While you wait to get a replacement, you may need to seek out alternative options for accessing the buildings that you frequently visit.

Thankfully, it is usually quite easy to replace a disabled parking placard that has been lost, misplaced, or stolen. The easiest way to do this is to pay a visit to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office for your state. This is referred to as the DMV. Once you get to the office, you will need to get some version of your state's replacement form designed specifically for disabled parking permits. With the rapid advancement of technology, many state DMV offices will have this form located online. You can either print it out to fill out at home prior to your trip in order to save time or mail it in. In some cases, you may be able to submit the form online as well, but keep in mind that this will delay the amount of time it takes to get the new placard. If you are at the office, many agents will be able to give you your replacement disabled parking placard while you wait.

What To Do If You Lose Your Disabled Parking Placard

You may find it easier to get a replacement disabled parking decal if you still have the original proof of your original permit. This might be a receipt that you have retained. If you have that, make sure that you take it with you and submit it with the application that you fill out for a replacement. However, do not fret if you cannot find any of the original documentation or receipts for your permit. You can still get a replacement.

You can begin by taking the renewal application to the same physician who completed the original form. Just let the office know that you lost your parking placard and are needing to get a new one. Your state's DMV website should have a form online that physicians can fill out for this purpose. Look for it there and then have them fill it out.

When the application has been completed, you can mail it directly to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Alternatively, you can submit it in person at your local office. In fact, this will likely speed up the process of getting a replacement.

How much your replacement disabled parking placard will cost you depends on the state that you were in. Some states issue a permanent parking permit. If this is the case for you, then there should not be a few. Only placards that are issued on a temporary basis should incur a fee. You can check the fee structure for your state online at the local DMV website. You can also call them on the phone or just ask them when you stop by the office.

What Happens If I Lost my Handicap Placard?

When you lose your disabled parking placard, you are forced to temporarily adapt to a whole new set of parking regulations. You will not be able to park in any handicapped designated spaces until you get your replacement. As a result, you will need to make alternate plans in the short term.

Depending on where you live, getting a replacement placard issued to you can take up to a month. However, many states will provide you the option of getting a temporary decal that will allow you to park in handicapped designated spaces until your permanent permit arrives. The best place to ask about this option is either your local AAA center or the DMV office nearest to you.

At first, it might seem that replacing your lost disabled parking placard is a major ordeal. However, it is not as difficult as it may first seem. It is possible to receive a replacement with minimum hassle. You just need to provide the proper documentation. Remember that a medical certificate from your physician will go a long way toward speeding up the process and will enable you to get your disabled parking permit much more quickly. What To Do If You Lose Your Disabled Parking Placard