A Guide To Disabled Parking In North Dakota
There are so many reasons you should sign up for a disabled parking permit in North Dakota. With access to handicap parking places, you can get to all of the locations you frequent in a much more convenient way. This convenience means you can save your energy for more important tasks rather than losing stamina hiking across a parking lot. The process is a pretty simple one, so keep reading to learn how to get a disabled parking permit in North Dakota.
Determine if you have a qualifying condition
In order to be eligible for a handicap permit, you’ll need to have a disability that’s considered a qualifying condition. In North Dakota, this can be (but is not limited to):
- Requiring the use of portable oxygen
- Having an orthopedic, neurological, or other medical condition that makes it impossible to walk 200 feet without assistance or rest
- Being restricted by a cardiac, pulmonary, or vascular disease from walking 200 feet without rest
- Having a forced expiratory volume of less than one liter for one second or an arterial oxygen tension of less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air while at rest
- Being classified III or IV by standards set by the American Heart Association
If you have a condition like one of these that significantly impacts your mobility, you can apply for a North Dakota disabled parking permit.
See a medical professional for certification
To verify that you have a qualifying condition, you’ll need to consult with a medical professional who can vouch for your condition. This can be done by your doctor, a chiropractor, a physician’s assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse. They’ll need to fill out the second page of the application with information about their practice, as well as making sure to check what type of permit you need and what your medical condition is. They’ll also be required to sign the form to authenticate it. The types of permits available are:
- Permanent non-reversible condition = a blue placard that does not require you to contact a physician to renew the permit and expires every three years
- Permanent reversible condition = a blue placard that does require you to contact a physician to renew every three years
- Temporary condition = a red placard that is issued for a period of three months at a time
If you don’t have a medical professional who can help you complete the application, you can head to Dr. Handicap for assistance. We can connect you virtually to a licensed physician who can evaluate your medical history and see if you’d be a good fit for a handicap placard. If you are, they can help with completing your application. The best part is that you don’t even have to leave your home to get your medical certification through them.
Image by Darko Stojanovic on Pixabay: Make an appointment with your doctor to get your medical certification for disabled parking in North Dakota.
Complete the rest of your application
You’ll need to finish the first page of the application on your own. You can download it from the Department of Transportation (DOT) website or by going to your nearest DOT office. You’ll need to fill out some personal information (name, address, driver’s license number, etc.), and then sign and date it. There is no fee for a handicap placard. You can then mail in your completed application to:
Motor Vehicle Division
ND Department of Transportation
608 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505-0780
Alternatively, you can submit it in person to your local DOT office. You can always contact DOT if you have any other questions about the application process.
Follow the rules of the road
There are a few rules you need to follow if you have a North Dakota handicap parking permit. Once you have your placard in hand, you can park in any designated wheelchair-accessible parking place. Then you must always make sure that your permit is prominently displayed on the rearview mirror of your vehicle whenever the car is occupying a space reserved for the mobility-impaired or is being used by a mobility-impaired individual. No part of your permit may be obscured. There is a fee of $5 that can be imposed if you violate this rule. You also need to remove the placard from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is in motion.
Image by Larisa-K on Pixabay: Make sure you remove your placard from the rearview mirror anytime you hit the road.
Most importantly, you may not lend out your placard to friends or family under any circumstances. If a law enforcement officer finds that your permit is being used improperly, they can report the violation. This might result in you losing the privilege of having a handicap placard altogether. There could also be a fine of up to $100.
If you’ve accidentally lost your placard or had it stolen, you will need to send in a written request identifying the number of the placard that is missing and a $3 replacement fee. You can get your replacement either by waiting for it to arrive in the mail or by getting one in person at any motor vehicle location. If you have questions about any regulations pertaining to disabled parking in North Dakota (such as the use of residential permits or street parking), contact your local law enforcement for more information.
Make parking more convenient for yourself by applying for a handicap parking permit today!