How Do I Renew My Handicap Placard In Colorado?

Colorado has a well-run and efficient handicap parking program. There is copious handicap parking infrastructure across the Centennial State. Colorado’s rural parts, areas of natural beauty, and major cities are all well serviced by handicap parking spaces.

Disabled Parking In Colorado

A Colorado disabled parking permit entitles its holder to avail of handicap parking infrastructure across the Centennial State and beyond. Getting a disabled parking permit in Colorado is a simple procedure. The application process is quick and easy.

People tend to have many questions about disabled parking in Colorado, such as… What are the qualifying conditions for handicap parking in Colorado? What kinds of Colorado disabled parking permits are available? How do you apply for a disabled permit in the Centennial State? And how do you renew a handicap permit in Colorado?

Today we will answer all of these important questions and more.

person in wheelchair on road
Image by Jon Tyson on Unsplash: You qualify for a disabled parking permit in Colorado if you use a wheelchair.

Who Qualifies For A Disabled Parking Permit In Colorado?

To qualify for a Colorado disabled parking permit a person must have one of the following disabilities:

  • They cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest.
  • They cannot walk without the use of a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or another assistive device.
  • They are restricted by lung disease to such an 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 sixty mm/hg on room air or at rest.
  • They use portable oxygen.
  • They have a cardiac condition that is classified in severity as class III or IV by the American Heart Association.
  • They are severely limited in their ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

What Kinds Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available In Colorado?

The following types of disabled parking permit are available in Colorado:

  • Three-Year Placards or Plates – for people with permanent, extended, or temporary disabilities.
  • Temporary Placard – for people with short-term disabilities.
  • Disabled Veterans Plates
  • A Remuneration-Exempt Disability Placard – for people who have lost fine motor control in both hands, or are unable to reach a height of 48 inches from the ground due to lack of finger, hand, or upper extremity strength or mobility, or are unable to reach a parking meter due to the use of a wheelchair or other ambulatory device.

How Do I Get A Handicap Placard In Colorado?

To get a Colorado handicap parking permit, you can go to the Dr. Handicap online clinic and have a telemedicine consultation with a Colorado medical professional.

The following medical professionals can verify an applicant for disable parking in Colorado:

  • Licensed physician
  • Commissioned Medical Officer of the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Public Health Service, and/or the U.S. Veterans Administration
  • Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Physician Assistant
  • Podiatrist
  • Chiropractor (short-term permit only)
  • Physical Therapist (short-term permit only)

Once your disability has been verified, you and the medical professional will complete the relevant sections of an application form and submit it to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles. The application form can be submitted by post, in person, or through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website.

Do Permanent Handicap Placards Expire?

Colorado does not have a permanent handicap permit. The handicap permit available to people with a permanent disability is the three-year permit, which, as the name suggests, must be renewed every three years. However, it is only necessary to get a medical professional’s signature for renewal every third time (so every nine years).

When Does A Disabled Parking Placard Need To Be Renewed In Colorado?

A Colorado three-year permit must be renewed every three years. A Colorado short-term placard must be renewed after 90 days and can be renewed only once.

How Do I Renew My Handicap Placard In Colorado?

Can I renew my handicap placard online in Colorado? Yes, you can renew your Colorado handicap parking permit online at the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website.

To renew your permit, just complete an application form. There is no fee to renew placards, but fees may apply when renewing a license plate. New medical professional verification is required when renewing if you have an extended, temporary, or short-term disability. As mentioned above, permanently disabled people need verification every third renewal.

person using laptop to renew disabled parking permit online
Image by Thomas Lefebvre on Unsplash: Online placard renewal in Colorado is a quick and easy process.

Can I Replace A Lost, Stolen, Or Damaged Permit In Colorado?

If your Colorado disabled parking permit gets lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement. A replacement permit can be obtained by applying through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website.

Are Colorado Disabled Parking Permits Valid Outside The State?

Colorado handicap permits are valid in all other US states. They are also valid in the following foreign countries:

  • UK
  • EU
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Featured image by Cassie Gallegos on Unsplash

Can I Get A Disabled Space Outside My House In Tennessee?

Tennessee has a well-functioning, user-friendly disabled parking program. The Volunteer State provides a generous number of official disabled parking spaces for its disabled residents and visitors, and most municipalities in Tennessee also allow free parking for disabled permit-holders in metered, on-street parking spaces.

However, many Tennessee residents live in homes that are not as near as they would like to a disabled parking space. For residents who live an inconvenient distance from the nearest disabled parking space, is it possible to request a disabled space be installed outside their house?

Getting a disabled parking space outside your house can greatly increase your quality of life. Permit holders deserve a disabled parking infrastructure that is well-suited to their needs, and having a residential disabled space in Tennessee can be a real gamechanger.

So, can you get a disabled space outside your house in Tennessee? Who qualifies for a disabled space outside their house in Tennessee, and how do you apply? And who can park in residential handicap parking spaces in Tennessee? Let’s answer these crucial questions now.

road in tennessee
Image by 12019 on Pixabay: Can I get a disabled space outside my house in Tennessee?

Can I Get A Disabled Space Outside My House In Tennessee?

It is possible to get a disabled parking space outside your house in Tennessee. There is no fee to have a disabled space installed outside your house, and applications are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Who Qualifies For A Disabled Space Outside Their House In Tennessee?

Disabled parking permit holders qualify for a disabled space outside their house in Tennessee if it is judged to be necessary. Some of the factors that are taken into consideration when a person applies for a disabled space outside their house are:

  • The availability of off-street parking at the residence (garage, driveway, parking lot)
  • The location of the nearest on-street disabled spaces
  • Whether the person has a permanent disabled parking placard or license plates
  • Whether the home where the space is requested contains an accessibility ramp
  • Whether the applicant is eligible for paratransit services offered by the metro government

How Do I Get A Disabled Parking Spot Outside My House In Tennessee?

So, how do I get a disabled bay outside my home in Tennessee? To apply for a residential disabled parking permit in Tennessee, you need to contact your local department of public works. The local department of public works evaluates applications on a case-by-case basis.

Who Can Park In Residential On-Street Handicap Parking Spaces?

Tennessee handicap parking laws do not allow for disabled spaces to be reserved. Therefore, a residential disabled parking space in Tennessee is not reserved only for the person who applied to have it installed. Any disabled parking permit holder is entitled to park in a residential space once it has been installed.

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available In Tennessee?

The following types of disabled parking permit are available in Tennessee:

  • Permanent disabled driver or passenger license plates or placards
  • Agency disabled placard – for organizations that transport disabled people
  • Temporary disabled placards – valid for up to six months
  • Disabled Veterans license plates

How To Get A Handicap Placard In Tennessee

To get a Tennessee disabled parking permit, go to the Dr. Handicap online clinic and set up a telemedicine consultation with a licensed doctor. The doctor will verify your disability and then complete the relevant sections of an application form. Once the form is completed, submit it to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

street in nashville tennessee
Image by paulbr75 on Pixabay: How do you get a disabled parking permit in Tennessee?

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit In Tennessee?

To qualify for a Tennessee disabled parking permit, a person must:

  • Be unable to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest
  • Have had a foot, arm, leg, or hand amputated
  • Have a disability that is certified by a licensed physician
  • Be unable to walk without the aid of a wheelchair, crutches, brace, or some other assistive device
  • Have vision worse than 20/200

Are Out-Of-State Disabled Permits Valid In Tennessee?

Disabled parking permits issued by all other US states are valid in Tennessee. Disabled permits from the following nations are also valid:

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • All EU states
  • United Kingdom
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Japan

Featured image by Paul Trienekens on Unsplash

Can I Use An Out-Of-State Handicap Placard In NYC?

New York City is the most highly populated city in the United States. The iconic metropolis is also one of the most visited vacation destinations in the world. The Big Apple boasts innumerable tourist attractions and is home to some of the best restaurants, nightlife, and theater venues in the world.

New York City also has excellent disabled parking infrastructure, providing for disabled drivers by supplying lots of designated disabled parking spaces in parking lots throughout the city. Disabled drivers can park in metered, on-street spaces in NYC for free if they have a New York City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (NYC PPPD).

So, given that New York City is such a popular tourist destination: can out-of-state handicap placard holders use their permit in NYC? Can you use a California handicap placard in New York? Can you use an out-of-state handicap permit in NYC? What are the rules for out-of-state handicap parking in NYC? And how do I get a handicap parking permit in NY?

Read on for the answers to all these questions and more.

new york city view over river
Image by mpewny on Pixabay: Can you use an out-of-state handicap permit in NYC?

Can I Use An Out-Of-State Handicap Placard In NYC?

Out-of-state handicap placards are valid in New York City. They entitle their holder to park in designated disabled parking spaces in New York City. However, to be entitled to park in on-street, metered spaces for free in the Big Apple, a person needs to apply for a NYC PPPD.

What Are The Rules For Out-Of-State Handicap Parking In NYC?

Out-of-state disabled parking permit holders can use their permit to park in any designated disabled parking space in the state of New York. All designated disabled spaces in NYC are in parking lots. To park in metered, on-street spaces in the city of New York for free, a visitor needs to apply for a NYC PPPD to use while they are in New York City.

Can I Use My California Handicap Placard In New York?

The most commonly issued disabled parking permit in the United States is a California disabled parking permit. California permit-holders travel to the Big Apple in large numbers every year, all throughout the year, both on business and on vacation.

California disabled parking permits are valid in New York and allow their holder to park in any designated handicap space. However, all handicap spaces in NYC are off-street, in parking lots. To be allowed to park in metered, on-street spaces in New York City, a California permit holder will need to apply for a NYC PPPD.

Which International Handicap Parking Permits Are Valid In New York?

Holders of handicap permits from the following countries can use their permit in New York:

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • EU
  • UK
  • Australia
  • Japan
  • New Zealand

New York State Handicap Parking Permit

A New York State handicap permit is valid in all other US states as well as in Canada, Mexico, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. However, a New York State permit does not entitle its holder to park in metered, on-street spaces in New York City for free.

How Do I Get A Handicap Parking Permit In NY?

The best way to get a handicap parking permit in New York is to arrange a telemedicine consultation with a licensed doctor on the Dr Handicap online clinic. The doctor will verify your suitability for a disabled parking permit and then fill in the appropriate sections of a New York disabled parking permit application form.

new york city street
Image by Emily Xie on Unsplash: What are the rules for out-of-state permit holders in New York?

Qualifying Conditions For A New York Disabled Parking Permit

To qualify for a New York State disabled parking permit, a person must:

  • Have limited or no use of one or both legs
  • Have a neuromuscular dysfunction which severely limits mobility
  • Have another physical or mental disability which makes the use of public transportation difficult
  • Be legally blind

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permit Are Available In New York City?

The following types of disabled parking permit are available in New York City:

  • New York State Permanent disabled parking permit
  • New York State Temporary disabled parking permit
  • New York State Organization disabled parking permit
  • Disabled Veterans license plate
  • New York City Parking Permits for People with Disabilities (NYC PPPD)

Featured image by Michael Discenza on Unsplash

Can You Park Free At A Meter With A Handicap Placard In Texas?

Handicap parking in Texas comes with a lot of rules and regulations that everyone with a placard should be aware of. These rules are designed to help those with limited mobility get to where they need to go with ease. The parking regulations for people with handicap placards vary from place to place in Texas, but for the most part, disabled parking is accessible and free. So can you park for free at a meter with a handicap placard in Texas? And if so, where? Let’s find out.

What are the requirements for handicap parking in Texas?

To be able to park in Texas with a handicap placard, there are some criteria that you must first meet. Any of the following will qualify you for a disabled parking permit:

  • Inability to walk for 200 feet without resting
  • Inability to walk without an assistance device
  • Requires a wheelchair
  • Restricted from walking because of a lung disease
  • Uses portable oxygen
  • Has a cardiac condition that causes limitations
  • Limited mobility due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic conditions
  • Foot disorders that limits the ability to walk
  • Other health disorders deemed suitable by licensed health care professionals

You are also required to provide the signature of a medical provider on one of the approved forms that proves you require a handicap placard. The physician that signs off can be located in Texas or adjoining states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, or Oklahoma. 

parking meter on street
Image by Saketh Garuda on Unsplash: Can you park for free at a meter with a handicap placard?

What are the rules for handicap parking spaces in Texas?

There are several rules that people must abide by when it comes to handicap parking in Texas. One specific law centers around placard expiration. If a person has parked in a spot and their placard is expired, they will have a 20 working day grace period where the person will be able to have the citation dismissed during that time.

People with up-to-date placards are allowed to park in a handicap spot for an unlimited amount of time, provided the vehicle is being used as a mode of transportation for a person with a disability. This law does not protect people against any fees or penalties that may be given by government or by a governmental unit for parking meters, in a parking lot or garage, or at a municipal airport. Those with handicap placards are still required to pay those parking fees.

There are certain exceptions to parking fees, though. For example, disabled veterans, or those who have received a Congressional Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Legion of Valor, or Legion of Merit license plates, are exempt from parking fees. Prisoners of war and Pearl Harbor survivors are also exempt from those parking fees.

Who can park in handicap parking in Texas?

Everyone with a valid handicap placard is able to park in the handicap parking areas in Texas. There are two types of handicap placards available: a blue placard and a red placard. The blue disabled parking placard is given out to those who have a disability that is permanent in nature. They are valid for use in handicap parking zones for a total of four years. After the four years has elapsed, the placard will need to be renewed. Upon renewal, evidence of eligibility will not be required.

The red placard is given out to people with disabilities that will heal or improve over time – for example, temporary injuries that limit a person’s mobility. Upon receiving a red placard, a person can use it for up to six months (or how long the disability lasts prior to the expiration of the permit) to park in any handicap parking spot. If the disability lasts less than six months, the placard is no longer valid. If six months has elapsed and the disability is still affecting a person’s mobility, they can renew the placard with a doctor’s letter or a prescription.

parking meter
Image by Hafidh Satyanto on Unsplash: Parking in a general metered parking spot is free for those with handicap placards in Texas.

Is handicap parking free in Austin?

Although parking in a handicap spot isn’t always free for everyone with a placard, in Austin, a person with a handicap placard or license plate is able to park in general metered spots without having to pay for parking fees. The only catch is that the person parking cannot exceed the time limit of the spot, or they may face penalties.

Featured image by Tomek Baginski on Unsplash

Are Police Allowed To Park In Handicap Spots?

One complaint that many users of disabled parking permits have is that sometimes people who aren’t entitled to use the spots use them anyway – even the police. Far too often, people assume that using a handicap parking spot because they’re in a hurry is OK, but what they don’t understand is how this impacts people who really need to using those spots.

So who can legally use handicap spots? What are the rules surrounding their use? Are police allowed to park in handicap spots? All of these questions and more are answered below – keep reading to learn all you need to know about handicap parking use and, in some cases, abuse.

Who Are Handicap Parking Spots For?

You see them almost everywhere: blue-and-white signs with the international symbol of access that denotes a parking space for someone with a handicap parking permit. Most people understand that these spaces are only for those people who possess the valid parking permit issued by the state in which they live. Still, it’s not uncommon to see someone taking the space even if they don’t possess the appropriate tag or license plate to do so.

Handicap parking spots are meant for drivers or passengers with conditions and disabilities that make it difficult to get around. These spaces help them to get more easily where they need to go and reduce stress.

If you do not possess a proper handicap license plate or a parking permit, it is illegal to park in a handicap space. Penalties for doing so will vary from place to place, but it almost certainly involves some form of a fine, which can get expensive fast.

police car in parking spot
Image by Kindel Media on Pexels: Can police park in disabled spots? Sometimes. Is it illegal to park in a disabled bay without a permit? Yes!

Are Police Allowed To Park In Handicap Spots?

Police are given a lot of latitudes when it comes to parking and driving in general, but the rules of handicap parking spots still apply to police cars. In an emergency, police are allowed to park in handicap spots and zones. However, police who are not responding to an emergency still must abide by the rules surrounding handicap parking spots, and are not allowed to park there when simply running errands or stopping for something not related to an emergency.

What Can You Do If Someone Is Parked In a Handicap Spot Illegally?

When you are disabled with a handicap parking permit or plate, not being able to find parking can be stressful. While you may not be able to make a space magically appear, you can ensure those who are parking in handicap spaces illegally are reprimanded.

To report a car that is parked illegally in a handicap spot, you should:

  • Gather information. Make sure the car doesn’t have a handicap plate or placard first. Not all disabilities are visible, and this is very important to keep in mind if you see someone exiting a car in a handicap spot who doesn’t look as if they have a disability. If you do determine the car is parked illegally, take down the license plate number and, in the case of someone abusing a parking placard, the number on the placard.
  • Call the non-emergency line. There is a non-emergency line for the police in your area, and that is the number you should use to report this incident.
  • Visit the police department. You can also physically go to a police department to make the report during normal business hours. You will provide a statement of the details and present any other evidence you have.
  • File a report online. In some places, you can file a report online to the local police or sheriff’s department. Check your local authorities’ website to see if that’s an option for you.

Hopefully, police will then take action to punish the person who is abusing the parking situation. In many places, fines of up to $1,000 can be incurred for these violations, and may even include being charged with a misdemeanor that can result in jail time.

Dr. Handicap - handicap parking lot view
Image by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash: Parking in a handicap spot without a permit is illegal – no matter who you are!

Etiquette for Handicap Parking

When you do use a handicap parking permit or plate, make sure you’re aware of the standards of etiquette expected when using them, such as:

  • Awareness of different handicap spots. There aren’t laws that specifically outline what type of handicap spot you should use, but be aware of the limitations of the accessibility of others, even if it doesn’t apply to you. For example, you shouldn’t park in a spot designated for a van if you aren’t driving an accessible van or require a ramp to exit your vehicle. Try to use the space that is most appropriate for your individual needs.
  • Display your permit correctly. In most states, you will be required to display a handicap parking permit clearly and visibly when parking. This may mean it is hung from the rearview mirror or placed face-up on the dashboard of the vehicle.
  • Access aisles should be open. Do not park in the cross-hatched access aisles beside disabled parking spots. They are there to give those in wheelchairs easier access to their vehicles.

Featured image by Matt Popovich on Unsplash