Do You Qualify For A Handicap Parking Licence?

When you’re living with conditions that limit mobility, it’s important to gain all the adaptations necessary to make your life as manageable as possible. It may seem intimidating but if you qualify for a handicap parking permit, it’s definitely advisable to get one so that you can live the best life possible while managing your condition.

Requirement vary from state to state, but usually in order to get the disabled parking spot, you’ll have to have a condition that limits your mobility in some form. A lot of people who are enquiring about disabled parking permits may worry that they won’t be eligible, but the truth is that there are many conditions that qualify. Even if you are unable to drive, you can qualify for a disabled parking permit as a disabled passenger with an able-bodied driver. However, they won’t be able to use the permit unless you are in the car. Your permit may be rescinded of they do so and you could be subject to fines and legal action.

Dr Handicap - parking-lot

If you're asking yourself whether you qualify for a handicap parking licence, why not just check with a doctor online?

Physical disability is a category that is usually granted a disabled driving permit. If you are impaired in your mobility, you will almost certainly qualify for a handicap spot. This can include many types of disability, including but not limited to a missing limb, some form of paralysis or an illness or condition that affects mobility of the legs, such as multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease. While your condition may also affect your ability to drive, you will be able to use it with an accompanying driver. Another option may be to use a specially modified vehicle, depending on your disability. If you are mobile with an aid such as a wheelchair, leg brace or cane, you could also qualify.

Dr Handicap - couple-in-wheelchairs

A handicap parking permit can help make patients' lives easier outside the house.

Another condition that may qualify you for a handicap parking permit is impaired vision or legal blindness. Like physical disability, visual impairment may legally limit your ability to drive, but you will be able to use the disabled parking permit with an accompanying driver. Depending on the state that you live in, you may be eligible for a parking spot if you have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with glasses or a visual acuity of 20/200 but with a limited field of vision in which the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle of 20 degrees or less. This will usually have to be qualified with supporting documentation from an optician or optometrist.

Physical ailments that aren’t defined by obvious and visible disability are often covered and those who suffer with these ailments are often the least likely to seek a disabled parking pass. The stigma surrounding non-obvious or invisible disability means that those who aren’t visibly or obviously disabled can feel very self-conscious in seeking a parking permit that could make their life a lot easier. Many members of the public are not aware that cardiac conditions are often eligible for parking permits as are certain kinds of lung disease, including anyone who requires portable oxygen at all times. The cardiac conditions that are usually eligible for a permit are types III and IV as defined by the American Heart Association.

Many people are unaware that temporary disabled parking permits can be issued to people who may be suffering from a non-permanent disability. Patients who have undergone major surgery or suffered a mobility limiting injury can be issued permits that will expire and not be renewed. This could be anything from a broken limb to something more serious, but don’t forget that you can still use a permit even if you’re unable to drive, as an accompanying driver can use your permit.

In any case, the best thing that you can do is have a discussion with a medical professional who can advise you on if they feel you may be eligible for a handicapped parking permit. They will also be familiar with the particular laws of your state so will be able to give you tailored advice which useful given that most guidelines are quite general. They may also be able to provide you with supporting documentation to make your case stronger.

Disabled parking permits usually expire after a year but if your condition is lifelong, it is easy to renew on an annual basis. These measures exist to make the lives of disabled individuals easier and the DMV will want to assist you in any way that they can, as long as this is a measure for which you are eligible. Be confident and assure yourself that this is something that you are entitled to; you will be able to live your life with much more ease and with less stress on your body with a parking permit.