A Guide To Disabled Parking In Kansas
There are a lot of great things about living in Kansas (affordable homes, beautiful scenery, barbeque!), but one of the best parts is the ability to get a Kansas disabled parking permit. The process to apply for one is relatively easy, and once you have your placard in hand, you’ll have immediate access to more convenient parking places anywhere you go in the state. If you’re wondering how to get a disabled parking permit in Kansas, read on for a list of simple steps to take to get your placard.
Step 1: Determine if you have a qualifying condition.
In order to be eligible for a Kansas handicap parking permit, you must have a legitimate medical condition that impacts your ability to get around. These can include, but are not limited to:
- Having a severe visual impairment
- Not being able to walk more than 100 feet without stopping to rest
- Being unable to walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device
- Being restricted by lung disease (to such an 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)
- Requiring the use of portable oxygen
- Having a cardiac condition (to the extent that your functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV, according to standards set by the American Heart Association)
- Being severely limited in your ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
In order to verify that your health does indeed limit you, you must have a licensed medical professional complete part of your application (The Healing Arts Licensed Professional’s Statement). They’ll need to certify that you do have a qualifying condition and then sign the application. The accepted medical professionals for the application are a licensed Dr. of Medicine (MD), Dr. of Osteopathy (DO), Dr. of Chiropractic (DC), Dr. of Podiatric (DPM), Licensed Optometrist (OD), licensed physician assistant (PA), advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), or Christian Science practitioner. These professionals may come from any state as long as they have a valid license. If you don’t have a medical professional you can turn to for a medical certification, you can always use the services of Dr. Handicap. They can connect you virtually to a professional that can help you complete your application without you even having to leave the house.
Step 2: Complete your application.
Your first step in completing your application is to determine which type of Kansas handicap parking permit you need. You have two options:
- One disabled license plate and/or one placard
- Two placards and no disabled license plate
You can also choose from a temporary permit that’s valid for up to six months, or a permanent placard, which needs to be renewed every three years. When renewing your permit, you are required to show proof of disability from your licensed medical professional each time you renew. The best part of the application process is that the only cost you’ll be required to pay is if you want a reflective disabled license plate (which only costs you 50 cents!). Every other placard option is completely free of charge.
From there, you can pick up your application at your closest County Treasurer’s Local Motor Vehicle Office, or you can print the document online. After completing the application (including filling out relevant personal information such as address, phone number, and signature), you can return the application to the county office nearest you.
Step 3: Follow the rules for disabled parking in Kansas.
Once you have your disabled parking permit in Kansas, there are a few regulations you need to follow. First, your placard should be suspended from the rearview mirror of your vehicle whenever you’re parked. You do have the ability to transfer your placard to another vehicle, as long as you’re the driver or passenger in it. You must always remove the placard when the car is in motion. It’s also important to have the disabled identification card that’s issued along with your placard with you at all times. If you don’t have your placard and ID card to offer on demand, you are not entitled to use disabled parking in Kansas. This also means that you are not authorized to lend your placard out to family or friends – you can only use it if you’re in the vehicle. Anyone who falsely uses any parking privilege can face a misdemeanor charge with fines up to $500. There are also some local ordinances that can require you to pay additional penalties. If you see someone you suspect might be abusing a handicap placard or do not think they’re legally parking in a handicap space, you do have the option of reporting offenses to local law enforcement (who can then investigate your claims).
You do have some extra benefits as a placard holder as well. Not only can you park in marked accessible parking places, but you can also park at parking meters for up to 24 hours without having to pay any parking fees. For additional information or questions about your application or about using your permit, you can visit the Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles website or call (785) 296-3852.
There are plenty of opportunities for you to make your life easier if you obtain a Kansas disabled parking permit. Just think of how much better it will be for you to get around once you have improved accessibility. So make sure to take advantage of disabled parking in Kansas by applying for a permit today!