How To Apply For a Handicap Parking Permit in Minnesota

Dr Handicap - Minneapolis

Minnesota is located next to the Canadian border in the scenic upper mid-west of the United States. The state boasts myriad sights of spectacular natural beauty. Its nickname “The Land of 10,000 Lakes” is testament to its wealth of luscious watery wonders. Residents of Minnesota are never far from an area of breathtaking beauty.

Unsurprisingly, the state has lots of great drives. The most famous of these is the North Shore Scenic Drive that traces the north shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Thunder Bay, Ontario. There are also plenty of state parks to explore.

Minnesota also has some iconic American cities, chief among them the twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. These cities are home to a diverse variety of attractions, ranging from the elegant Cathedral of St Paul and the Minneapolis Institute of Art to the world-class mecca of materialism that is the Mall of America, one of the largest malls in the United States.

Minnesota caters very well to its disabled drivers. All of the great sights and attractions within the state are amply supplied with handicap parking facilities.

If you are a disabled resident of Minnesota but have not yet gotten your disabled parking permit, you are missing out on availing of this invaluable program. Now is the perfect time to make your application. It is a simple and hassle-free process, and once you have your placard, driving around Minnesota will be easier than ever before.

Here is how to apply for a handicap parking permit in Minnesota.

Dr Handicap - Minnesota

Consult with a Medical Professional

The type of medical professional that is qualified to verify a person’s disability varies state by state. In Minnesota, the types of medical professional that can verify your disability are licensed physicians, physician’s assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and chiropractors.

The first step in getting your Minnesota handicap parking permit is to have a consultation with one of these medical professionals. This can be done in-person or using a telemedicine consultation.

The medical professional will need to verify that you have a disability that qualifies you to use disabled parking in Minnesota.

Qualifying Disabilities in Minnesota

Having any of the following disabilities qualifies you to use a Minnesota handicap parking permit:

  • You have a heart condition classified as Class III or Class IV by the American Heart Association.
  • You use a portable oxygen tank.
  • You have an arterial oxygen tension of less than 60 mm/Hg on room air at rest.
  • You are restricted by a respiratory disease to the extent that your forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter.
  • You have lost an arm or leg and do not have or cannot use an artificial limb.
  • Due to disability, you use a wheelchair or cannot walk without the aid of another person; a walker; a cane; crutches; a brace; a prosthetic device; or another assistive device.
  • You have a disability that would be aggravated by walking 200 feet to an extent that could be life-threatening.
  • Due to disability you cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
  • You cannot walk without a significant risk of falling.

In the case of the final four disabilities on the list, the specific medical condition that results in this disability must be stated by the verifying medical professional.

Types of Minnesota Handicap Parking Permit

There are several different types of disabled parking permit available in Minnesota: temporary (1–6 months), short-term (7–12 months), long-term (1–5 years), and six-year certificates.

Temporary and short-term placards cost $5. Long-term and six-year certificates are free.

Disabled license plates and specialty license plates are also available for permanently disabled people, and Disabled Veterans plates are available for people whose disability is mostly due to a military service-related injury or illness.

Dr Handicap - St Paul

Out-of-State Disabled Drivers

Disabled drivers from other American states may use their home state’s permit for disabled parking in Minnesota.

Minnesota Handicap Parking Rights

Disabled placards and license plates allow you to park in any designated handicap parking spaces in Minnesota, as well as metered parking spaces for free, and all spaces with curtailed time limits for an extended period time.

Minnesota Handicap Parking Permit Application Process

In order to apply for a disabled parking permit in Minnesota, you must complete an Application for Disability Parking Certificate form. Both the applicant and the verifying medical professional will need to fill in sections of the application form.

The completed form should then be submitted either in person or by mail to the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services. The address is:

Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services,
445 Minnesota Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-5164

Minnesota Handicap Parking Permit Renewal Requirements

To renew any type of Minnesota handicap parking permit, a new application form must be submitted along with updated medical certification.