A Guide To Disabled Parking In Minnesota
If you are a disabled person in Minnesota, getting a Minnesota disabled parking permit will greatly improve your quality of life. Disabled parking in Minnesota is an excellent, modern, and efficiently run program that caters very well to those using the state’s roads and amenities.
The Gopher State is one of the most naturally picturesque states in the country. Parks and forests abound, and the western shores of Lake Superior are breathtaking all year round. The state also has some of the nation’s most iconic towns and cities, chief amongst them the “twin cities” of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
With all these exciting places to see and experience, it’s lucky the program for disabled parking in Minnesota is so good. If you would benefit from accessing disabled parking and are yet to get a Minnesota handicap parking permit, now is a good time to start the ball rolling. Here is how to get a disabled parking permit in Minnesota.
What Types of Permits are Available for Disabled Parking in Minnesota?
There are four different types of Minnesota disabled parking permit available: temporary, short-term, long-term, and permanent. Temporary permits are valid for one to six months. Short-term permits are valid for seven to 12 months. Long-term permits are valid for 13 to 17 months. Permanent permits are valid for six years.
Disabled license plates and Disabled Veterans plates are also available to people with a permanent disability.
Image by arembowski on Pixabay: Disabled parking in Minnesota is easily accessible with the proper permit.
What are the Qualifying Conditions for Disabled Parking in Minnesota?
A person must have one or more of the following conditions to qualify for a Minnesota handicap parking permit:
- They have a heart condition classified as Class III or Class IV by the American Heart Association
- They need to use a portable oxygen tank/they have an arterial oxygen tension of less than 60 mm/Hg on room air at rest
- They are restricted by a respiratory disease to such an extent that their forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter
- They have lost an arm or leg and do not have or cannot use an artificial limb
- They use a wheelchair or cannot walk without the aid of another person, or a prosthetic device such as a walker, cane, crutch, or brace
- They have a disability that would be aggravated by walking 200 feet under normal environmental conditions to an extent that would be life-threatening
- They cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
- They cannot walk without a significant risk of falling.
What Medical Professionals Can Recommend a Minnesota Disabled Parking Permit?
In Minnesota, a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, chiropractor, or physical therapist can recommend a person for disabled parking. The easiest and best way to consult with a medical professional is by an online consultation using Dr. Handicap.
How do You Apply For a Disabled Parking Permit in Minnesota?
The process of applying for disabled parking in Minnesota is straightforward. Firstly, you need to consult with a medical professional. This is best done online. The consulting medical professional will fill in the relevant section of the disabled parking application form. This form, once completed by the applicant and medical professional, should be submitted, along with a form of ID and any necessary fee (temporary and short-term placards cost $5; all other placards are free), to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services.
Image by Nicole Geri on Unsplash: Getting around Minneapolis and other cities is made easier with a Minnesota disabled parking permit.
Do You Need to Renew a Minnesota Disabled Parking Permit?
Yes, your Minnesota handicap parking permit must be renewed when it expires. This can be done by submitting an application for renewal form to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services.
How Do You Use Your Minnesota Handicap Parking Permit?
Your Minnesota handicap parking placard needs to be clearly displayed hanging from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked. When the vehicle is moving, the placard must be safely stowed.
Minnesota disabled parking permit holders can park in any designated disabled parking space in the state, as well as in many on-street metered spaces for free and for an extended period. You should always contact your local authorities, as exact rules regarding on-street parking can vary by municipality.
Can Out-of-State Drivers Use Disabled Parking in Minnesota?
Holders of disabled parking permits from any other American state can use their home permit in Minnesota. This entitles them to avail of all of the same rights as a Minnesota disabled parking permit holder.
So whether you are running errands in Saint Paul, or visiting the grandiose and glorious Lake Superior, being in possession of your own disabled parking permit in Minnesota will make getting where you need to go in the Gopher State as easy and hassle-free as possible.
Featured image by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash