A Guide To Disabled Parking In South Carolina
There are so many fun places to go in the state of South Carolina. However, it can be challenging for folks who have disabilities to get around. That’s why if you have a medical condition that limits your mobility, you should consider applying for a South Carolina handicap parking permit. With this placard in hand, you can take advantage of more accessible and convenient disabled parking in Carolina. If you’re unsure how to get a disabled parking permit in South Carolina, read on for all the information you need!
Check to see if you have a qualifying condition.
Your first step to getting a South Carolina disabled parking permit is to determine if you have a medical condition that will help you qualify. In this state, these conditions are listed as:
- An inability to walk 100 feet nonstop without aggravating an existing medical condition (including the increase of pain)
- An inability to walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, another person, or other assistive devices
- A restriction by lung disease to the extent that your forced expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest
- Requires the use of portable oxygen
- A cardiac condition to the extent that your functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV (according to the standards by the American Heart Association) – if your status improves as a result of bypass surgery or transplantation, you no longer meet the necessary criteria
- A substantial limitation in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition (for example, coordination problems and muscle spasticity due to conditions that include Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis)
- Blindness
If you have any of these qualifying conditions, you could be eligible to receive a South Carolina handicap parking permit.
Image by 1778011 on Pixabay: It can be easier to get around big cities like Charleston with a South Carolina disabled parking permit in hand.
Get a medical certification.
In order to prove that you have one of the conditions listed above, you’ll need to be verified by a medical professional. This consultation can be done by a licensed physician, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or a Physician’s Assistant (PA). They’ll evaluate your medical history and current symptoms and check to see if you could benefit from a handicap permit. They’ll need to also determine whether your disability is temporary or permanent. Then you can have them complete and sign the Physician’s Statement section of the permit application.
If you don’t have a medical professional who can help you, Dr. Handicap can connect you to a licensed physician who can assist you in completing the medical certification part of the application. The whole process is done virtually, so you don’t even have to leave your home to get assistance.
Complete your application.
You can find the application online at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website. Then check on the form if you need a temporary permit (valid for up to four months) or a permanent permit (which needs to be renewed every four years). You’ll also need to fill out some personal info (date of birth, social security number, address, etc.) and sign it. There is a $1 charge for a placard, and a $36 charge if you’re applying for a disabled license plate. Applications can then be submitted with a check or money order payable to SCDMV to:
SC Department of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0019
Once your application has been processed, you’ll receive your placard in the mail.
Image by 12019 on Pixabay: Make sure to follow all of the rules of the road once you have your disabled parking permit in South Carolina.
Follow the rules of disabled parking in South Carolina.
After you’ve received your placard, you can park in any designated place for disabled parking in South Carolina. You can also park for free at metered street parking! There are a few things to keep in mind when using your placard. First, you should hang it from the rearview mirror of your car whenever your vehicle is parked and then remove it when your car is in motion. It should always be clearly displayed when you’re parked so that law or parking enforcement officers can easily see that you have the right to park in a handicap parking place.
Perhaps the most important rule to follow is that you should never lend your placard to anyone, even friends or family. The placard must only be used for your purposes (whether you’re driving or are just the passenger). If you’re not sure about any of the other regulations for a disabled parking permit in South Carolina, make sure to do some research ahead of time so that you’re following all the rules of the road.
There are many benefits to having closer and more convenient parking places. With a South Carolina handicap parking permit, you can skip long walks across parking lots and conserve your energy for other (more fun) activities. Start taking advantage of the permit’s privileges by applying today for disabled parking in South Carolina!