A Guide To Disabled Parking In Alabama
Alabama is a large, diverse, and fascinating state in the southeastern United States. The Yellowhammer state contains many areas of stunning natural beauty, such as the Gulf Coast with its beautiful sandy beaches, as well as numerous spectacular and protected state parks, including Cheaha State Park and Oak Mountain State Park.
As well as all of this luscious nature, Alabama is also home to several great southern cities, including Mobile, Birmingham (and the iconic 16th Street Baptist Church), and Montgomerie, the state capital and home to the Rosa Parks Museum.
The Alabama disabled parking program caters to all disabled drivers using the state’s roads. It helps people with disabilities to gain access to the state’s villages, towns, and cities, all important amenities, as well as its areas of scenic beauty.
Here is the complete guide to disabled parking in Alabama.
Qualifying Conditions For Disabled Parking Placards in Alabama
In order to obtain a disability placard in Alabama, a person needs to be disabled in one or more of the following ways:
- The applicant cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest, or cannot walk without the use of a walking assistance device such as a wheelchair, cane, brace, zimmer frame, wheelchair, or another person
- They suffer from a cardiac condition that is classified in severity as Class III or Class IV by the American Heart Association
- They are limited in their mobility by an orthopedic, arthritic, or neurological condition
- They suffer from a lung disease to the extent that their forced respiratory 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
- They need to use a portable oxygen tank
Who Can Verify a Disability in Alabama?
Unlike in many other American states, where several different types of medical professional can validate a person’s disability, in Alabama the only person who can verify a disability is a Licensed Physician.
The examining Licensed Physician will be required to fill in a large section on the Application For Disability Access Parking Privileges form.
Types of Disability Placard in Alabama
In Alabama, there are three types of disabled parking permit available: long-term plates and placards, and temporary placards.
Long-term placards and plates are for people with permanent disabilities. Temporary placards are valid for up to six months.
Permanently disabled individuals can choose between using a disability placard or license plate. Organizations that transport people with disabilities are not entitled to use a placard and so must apply for a disability license plate.
Are Out-of-State Disabled Parking Permits Valid in Alabama?
Disabled drivers form all other American states may use their home state’s disability placard in Alabama. This allows them to avail of all of the same parking rights as Alabama disabled parking placard holders.
Rights of Disabled Parking Permit Holders in Alabama
Holders of all types of disability placard in Alabama are entitled to park in any designated disabled parking space in the state. These spaces are labeled with the International Symbol of Access.
Disabled Placard Application Process in Alabama
To obtain a disabled parking permit in Alabama, an applicant must first download an application form. The form needs to be completed by a Licensed Physician as well as the applicant.
The completed application form then must be submitted to a local County Licensing Office. These offices are numerous and located all across the state.
Disability license plates cost $23.00 and disabled placards, both long-term and temporary, are free of charge.
Disabled Veterans Plates in Alabama
It is also possible to obtain Disabled Veterans plates in Alabama. These are available to disabled veterans in Alabama whose disabilities are service-related as verified by the Veteran’s Administration.
How To Renew an Expired Disabled Parking Permit in Alabama
Temporary disabled placards expire after six months. Long-term placards, license plates, and Disabled Veterans plates all expire after five years.
All types of permit can be renewed by submitting an application form to the local County Licensing Office.
How To Replace a Stolen, Damaged, or Lost Disability Placard in Alabama
The same application form that a person uses to get their primary disabled parking permit must be used if a person needs to replace stolen, damaged, or lost disability placard or license plate. There is a section at the bottom of the application form that must be filled in. The completed form must then be submitted to a local County Licensing Office. A replacement permit will be provided, usually within 14 days.