Can I Use My Handicap Placard In Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is a tropical island located in the Caribbean. It is a popular tourist destination for Americans thanks to its warm, sunny weather, sandy beaches, and stunning mountains, waterfalls, and rainforests.

Puerto Rico is a US territory, which means it is under the jurisdiction of the United States government. But are Puerto Rico’s disabled parking rules and regulations different from those in other parts of the US?

Disabled drivers who are visiting Puerto Rico tend to have several questions… Is there disabled parking in Puerto Rico? Can I use my handicap placard in Puerto Rico? How do I use a disabled parking permit in Puerto Rico? Are disabled placards good in all states? Today, we will answer these important questions.

Disabled Parking In Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a disabled parking program and handicap parking infrastructure. These are overseen by the Puerto Rico Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). All jurisdictions on the island, including all urban and rural neighborhoods and areas of natural beauty, are stocked with designated disabled parking spots.

street with puerto rico flag
Image by Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash: Can I use my handicap placard in Puerto Rico?

Can I Use My Handicap Placard In Puerto Rico?

So, can I use my disabled parking permit in Puerto Rico? Happily, the answer to this question is yes! If you are visiting Puerto Rico from any other US state, you can use your handicap placard to avail of Puerto Rico’s disabled parking infrastructure.

Using A Disabled Parking Permit In Puerto Rico

Using a disabled parking permit in Puerto Rico is similar to in any other state. The Puerto Rico disabled parking program is overseen and implemented by the local DMV and the Puerto Rico Police Department.

Can I Use My Handicap Permit In All US Territories?

You can use your handicap parking in all US overseas territories. The five permanently inhabited US overseas territories are:

  • American Samoa
  • Guam
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • US Virgin Islands

Are Disabled Placards Good In All States?

Disabled parking permits issued by any US state are also valid in all other US states and overseas territories. But, as we mentioned earlier, each state has its own unique disabled parking program, so remember to research the specific details of the program in any state you plan to visit.

Can I Use My Disabled Parking Permit In A Foreign Country?

You can use your US disabled parking permit in the following countries:

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

What Rights Does A Handicap Permit Afford Its Holder?

A disabled parking permit entitles its holder to park in any designated disabled parking space in the US. These spaces are indicated by signs that are posted five feet above ground level and are marked with the International Symbol of Access.

In most jurisdictions, as well as being able to park in disabled spots, permit holders are also entitled to park in metered, on-street spaces for free. This is not the case everywhere, though, so always check before you travel.

What Laws Deal With Disabled Parking?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the federal law that deals with disabled parking. All US states must adhere to ADA regulations. As a US foreign territory, Puerto Rico also adheres to ADA regulations.

How Do I Apply For A Handicap Parking Permit?

To apply for a disabled parking permit in your state, visit the Dr. Handicap online clinic. At the Dr. Handicap clinic, you will have a video consultation with a licensed medical professional in your state, who will verify your suitability for disabled parking.

Once your suitability has been verified, the medical professional will fill out the relevant sections of your state’s handicap parking application form and email it to you. You can then complete the rest of the application form and submit it to your local DMV.

san juan puerto rico
Image by Wei Zeng on Unsplash: Can I use my disabled parking permit in Puerto Rico?

What Types Of Handicap Parking Permits Are Available?

Most states offer the following types of disabled parking permits:

  • Temporary placard
  • Permanent placard or license plate
  • Disabled Veteran’s license plate
  • Organizational placard

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit?

The qualifying conditions for a disabled parking permit include:

  • An inability to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest
  • An inability to walk without the aid of an assistive device or another person
  • Lung disease
  • Portable oxygen tank usage
  • Heart condition
  • Legal blindness
  • Substantially restricted mobility due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition

Featured image by Zixi Zhou 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