How Do You Renew Your Iowa Handicap Parking Placard Online?

The Iowa disabled parking program exists to improve the lives of disabled Iowa residents and visitors to the Hawkeye State. For the Iowa disabled parking program to run smoothly, it’s important that all disabled permit holders understand and abide by the program’s rules. Knowing when and how to renew your Iowa handicap permit once it expires is crucial.

The IA disabled parking permit renewal process is straightforward and user-friendly. However, permit holders still tend to have a few questions, including… How do I renew my disabled parking permit in Iowa? Can you renew a handicap placard online in Iowa? How do you renew your Iowa handicap parking placard online? And what do I do with an expired handicap placard in Iowa?

Let’s cover everything you need to know about how to renew your Iowa handicap parking placard online.

Can You Renew A Handicap Placard Online In Iowa?

Most of the process of renewing your Iowa disabled parking permit can be completed online. You can carry out a medical consultation and complete an application form online – all you need to do in person or via mail is submit the application form.

What Types Of Handicap Parking Permits Are Available In Iowa?

The following handicap parking permits are available in Iowa:

  • Permanent handicap parking placard
  • Temporary handicap parking placard
  • Permanent handicap parking license plates and stickers
  • Provider of Transportation Services placard (for organizations that transport disabled people)
  • Disabled Veterans license plates (for people whose disabilities are military service–related)
iowa bridge
Image by RJA1988 on Pixabay: How do I renew my disabled parking permit in Iowa?

Do All Types Of Iowa Handicap Parking Permits Need To Be Renewed?

Permanent disabled parking permits do not need to be renewed in Iowa – they have no expiration date. However, temporary permits expire after six months and must be renewed, and disabled license plates must be registered annually.

Who Can Certify An Application To Renew A Handicap Parking Permit Online In Iowa?

Applications to renew an Iowa disabled permit must be certified by a medical professional. The following medical professionals can certify an application for disabled parking in Iowa:

  • Physician
  • Physician’s assistant
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Chiropractor

The medical professional must be licensed to practice in Iowa or a contiguous state. Qualifying contiguous states are:

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • South Dakota

How Do You Renew Your Iowa Handicap Parking Placard Online?

How do I renew my disabled parking permit in Iowa? The process is simple. Just follow these steps:

  1. Have a consultation with a medical professional at the Dr. Handicap online clinic. The medical professional will write a medical statement for you and email it to you within 24 hours.
  2. Complete an application form for disabled parking in Iowa.
  3. Submit the application form and medical statement in person to your local Driver License Examining station, or by mail to:
    Office of Vehicle Services
    P.O. Box 9278
    Des Moines
    IA 50306-9278

How Much Does It Cost To Renew My Handicap Parking Permit In Iowa?

  • Handicap parking placards are free in Iowa.
  • Handicap parking license plates cost the standard vehicle registration fee depending on the type of vehicle being registered.
iowa city at night
Image by 2564368 on Pixabay: How do you renew your Iowa handicap parking placard online?

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For An Iowa Handicap Parking Permit?

To renew your Iowa handicap parking placard online, you will need to be certified as disabled in one or more of the following ways:

  • You cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest.
  • You cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device.
  • You are 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 sixty mm/hg on room air at rest.
  • You use portable oxygen.
  • You have 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.
  • You are severely limited in your ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

What Do I Do With An Expired Handicap Placard In Iowa?

When your Iowa disabled parking placard expires you should return it to a Driver License Examining station, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Office of Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 9278, Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9278), or any law enforcement office within 10 days of its expiration date.

When disabled license plates expire, they should be surrendered to the county treasurer’s office where the vehicle is registered.

Featured image by Austin Goode on Unsplash

Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Placard In Iowa

A disabled parking permit can be a game-changer for disabled drivers in Iowa. If you live in the Hawkeye State and suffer from a medical condition or disability that affects the way you drive, you may be eligible for a disabled parking permit. Today’s post will give you some in-depth info on the qualifying conditions for a disabled parking placard in Iowa, while also shedding some light on the application process in general. Let’s get started!

What are the qualifying conditions for a disabled parking placard in Iowa?

As with most US states, Iowa offers disabled parking permits for numerous long-term, serious medical conditions that affect drivers, as well as some short-term ailments (check out this blog post on Iowa disabled parking eligibility). If you suffer from one of the below medical conditions, you should seek the advice of your local Iowa licensed physician, as you will need their signature for your application form:

  • Your mobility is restricted, to the extent that you cannot walk more than 200ft without needing to take a break or risking falling
  • You have a severe lung or heart condition (Class 3 or 4)
  • Your mobility is impacted by a serious neurological, arthritic or orthopaedic condition
  • You require use of an oxygen tank, or an assistive physical support such as a brace, cane or wheelchair

There are numerous specific conditions within these broader categories that would allow for you to receive an Iowa state disabled parking permit.

online application
Image by athree23 on Pixabay: We’re here to help with your Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit for Iowa Residents!

Those with lifelong disabilities will be able to avail of a permanent parking placard, which has no expiry date. Temporary placards (valid for six months) are available to those who have a relevant short-term medical condition. There are also certain placards available to organizations or groups that specialise in transporting disabled people. It’s always a good idea to discuss your medical condition with a licensed state physician if you think you meet the qualifying criteria, as they can advise on the best option for you.

Please note that having one of the above conditions does not automatically qualify you for disabled parking – you still need to obtain a permit to use specifically reserved disabled parking spaces. To avoid breaking disabled parking laws, it’s important to fully complete the application process and receive your parking placard before you occupy any disabled parking places.

How do I apply for a disabled parking permit in Iowa?

So, you’ve been to see an Iowa medical professional or had an online consultation to have your disability verified, and your physician is satisfied with approving your application. Next they will need to write you a signed statement to prove your eligibility for a permit. Finally, you will have to complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit for Iowa Residents form. This can be found online, or you can collect it in person at your closest Office of Vehicle Services.

These two documents (and typically some form of official identification) must then be submitted in person to your local Department of Transportation Office, or by mail to the Office of Vehicle Services if you feel more comfortable with this option.

person in wheelchair with cane
Image by klimkin on Pixabay: Disability parking permit Iowa: do you know the qualifying conditions?

It’s important to ensure you have all the necessary documents submitted and accurately completed to ensure your application goes as smoothly as possible. There is no fee associated with the application process for a disabled parking permit in Iowa (aside from the cost of your medical consultation, which Dr Handicap can help you organize via telemedicine!).

So, the final important question: how long does it take to get a disabled placard in Iowa? The good news is that if there is no problem with your application, you should receive your permit within 30 days.

How do I apply for a disabled parking permit in Iowa?

Hopefully by now you’re feeling more familiar with the application process for a disabled parking placard in Iowa, and the answer to the above question is much clearer! If you’re still unsure of how the process works, we have plenty of information available on our website to help you navigate it. Alternatively, please reach out to us directly, and we can help you to get started with your application right away.

Featured image by 2564368 on Pixabay

A Guide To Disabled Parking In Iowa