Can A Caregiver Use A Handicap Parking Permit?

Many disabled parking permit holders have caregivers. These may be family members, friends, or professional caregivers. Caregivers provide invaluable assistance to millions of disabled Americans.

Often, caregivers assist disabled permit holders to get from A to B, accompanying them on outings and assisting with transport. So can a caregiver use a handicap parking permit? And if so, under what circumstances?

Can A Caregiver Use A Handicap Parking Permit?

The caregiver of a disabled person does not qualify to get a disabled parking permit for themselves unless they also have a qualifying disability. A caregiver can use a handicap parking permit, however – but only under specific circumstances.

person in wheelchair with caregiver — *Image by Judita Tamošiūnaitė on Pexels: Can a caregiver use a handicap parking permit?*

Under What Circumstances Can Disability Carers Use Handicap Placards?

The caregiver of a disabled person can use a handicap placard if:

The person they are transporting is a handicap parking permit holder
They are currently accompanying the permit holder
The permit holder is in possession of their permit

Basically, because a caregiver does not qualify for a permit unless they themselves have a qualifying disability, they can only use the permit that is held by the person they are caring for, and only when they are transporting that person.

Who Can Use A Disabled Placard?

Only the official holder of a disabled parking permit can use that permit. The caregiver of a permit holder can use the permit holder’s permit on their own vehicle when they are transporting the disabled person.

Who Is Allowed The Special Privileges Of A Disabled Plate Or Placard?

A disabled parking permit gives its holder special privileges. This is to make the life of the permit holder easier by making public buildings, and amenities more accessible. These privileges include the use of the handicap parking infrastructure and the use of merited parking spaces for free. These privileges are only for disabled permit holders.

What Privileges Do Disabled Permits Allow Their Holders?

Disabled parking permits entitle their holders to the following privileges:

Permit holders are entitled to park in designated disabled parking spaces (spaces marked with the International Symbol of Access)
In most jurisdictions, permit holders are entitled to park in metered, on-street spaces for free and for an extended or unlimited amount of time
Permit holders are often entitled to have a disabled space installed in front of their home

Is There A Disabled Parking Permit For Caregivers?

There is no such thing as a disabled parking permit for caregivers. However, most states have an “Organization” or “Institution” disabled parking permit. These are for organizations or institutions that regularly transport disabled people.

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available?

Each state issues its own disabled parking permits. All states issue versions of the following types of disabled parking permits:

Permanent disabled parking permit
Temporary disabled parking permit
Permanent disabled parking license plate
Disabled Veterans license plate
Organization or institution disabled parking permit

Who Issues Disabled Parking Permits?

Disabled parking permits are issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in each state.

two people traveling in car — *Image by Darwin Vegher on Unsplash: Is there a disabled parking permit for caregivers?* *No, but there are circumstances under which they can use disabled parking.*

How Do You Apply For A Handicap Parking Permit?

You can apply for a handicap parking permit by submitting an application form to your local handicap parking authorities, usually the local DMV. The form should be signed by a state-licensed medical professional. You can have a consultation with a professional at the Dr. Handicap online clinic.

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit?

The qualifying conditions for a disabled parking permit vary slightly by state. In most states, the following list of qualifying conditions apply:

An inability to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest
An inability to walk without the use of or assistance from an assistance device
Lung disease
A cardiac condition
An arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition that severely impairs mobility
The use of portable oxygen
Legal blindness

Who Can Verify An Application For A Handicap Parking Permit?

In most states, the following state-licensed medical professionals can verify an application for a disabled parking permit:

Physician
Physician’s assistant
Advanced practice nurse
Chiropractor
Optometrist
Surgeon

Where Are Handicap Parking Permits Valid?

Handicap parking permits from all states are valid in the following jurisdictions:

All US states
All US overseas territories
Canada
Mexico
EU
UK
Australia
New Zealand
Japan

Featured image by Stefano Intintoli on Unsplash

Can An Ambulance Park In A Handicap Spot?

Who can park in disabled parking spaces? We know that disabled parking permit holders are entitled to park in handicap spaces, but are there any exceptions to the rules for disabled parking?

Disabled parking space rules and regulations are enshrined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Disabled parking spots exist in every US state and are located as close as possible to the buildings and amenities they serve. These spaces usually offer the quickest access to public areas.

Handicap spaces exist to improve the lives of people with various disabilities and mobility issues. In every US state, handicap spaces are available to be used by a disabled permit holder from any US state, as well as holders of several overseas disabled parking permits.

But what are the exceptions for parking in a handicap spot? Can an ambulance park in a handicap spot under certain circumstances? Is it a criminal offense to park in a disabled bay if you do not have a disabled permit in your vehicle, and how can you report illegal handicap parking? Below, we’ll answer all of these important questions and more.

Can An Ambulance Park In A Handicap Spot?

The laws about ambulance parking vary state by state. In most states, an ambulance can park in a handicap spot under certain specific circumstances. If an ambulance is transporting a disabled person, it can park in a handicap spot for up to 15 minutes. If it is on an emergency call, it can park in a handicap spot for a limited time. In most other circumstances, an ambulance cannot park in a disabled parking space.

ambulances parked outside hospital — *Image by* *ArtisticOperations* on *Pixabay: Can an ambulance park in a handicap spot?*

Exceptions For Parking In A Handicap Spot

So, what are the rules for what drivers and vehicles can legally park in disabled parking spots? The only vehicles that can legally park in handicap parking spaces are:

A vehicle that is currently being used by a disabled parking permit holder, while the permit is in the vehicle
A vehicle that has a permit because it transports disabled people, while it is on official business and transporting disabled people
Ambulances when they are transporting disabled people, for up to 15 minutes
Emergency vehicles when they are on “hot calls”.

Is It A Criminal Offence To Park In A Disabled Bay?

Yes, it is a criminal offense to park in a disabled bay if you do not hold a disabled parking permit.

How To Report Illegal Handicap Parking

If you see illegal parking in a handicap parking bay, you can report it by taking the vehicle’s registration and:

Flagging down a parking attendant or police in the area
Calling your local police non-emergency line
Calling your local parking enforcement team
Submitting photos to the Parking Mobility app.

Rules For Disabled Parking

The rules for disabled parking are:

Only permit holders may park in disabled parking spots.
It is illegal to use a handicap permit that is not your own.
There must be a legally required number of disabled parking spaces in every area and parking lot.
Disabled parking spaces must be clearly signposted.
Disabled parking spaces must be of the correct size and dimensions and located as close as possible to an accessible entrance to the building or amenity they serve.

parking spaces — *Image by Binyamin Mellish on Pexels: What are the rules for disabled parking?*

How Can You Get A Disabled Parking Permit?

If you do not yet have a disabled parking permit, the best way to get one is to visit the Dr. Handicap online clinic. You will have a consultation with a medical professional in your state who will verify your disability and complete an application form for disabled parking. You can then submit the application to your local disabled parking authorities. (Disabled parking authorities are different in each state, but it is usually the local DMV.)

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available?

You can get the following types of disabled parking permits in most states:

Permanent disabled parking placard
Permanent disabled parking license plate
Temporary disabled parking placard
Disabled Veterans license plate
Organizational disabled parking permit

Where Are Handicap Parking Permits Valid?

Handicap parking permits are valid in all US states, as well as in all US overseas territories and several foreign countries including Canada, Mexico, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Featured image by Obi Onyeador 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