What Is A Disabled Driver Decal?

Disabled drivers in America benefit hugely from owning a disabled parking permit. A disabled parking permit is a legal document that entitles its holder to use disabled parking spaces in whatever jurisdiction they are in. Disabled parking spaces are located in every part of the US. Being able to avail of disabled parking helps to even the playing field for people with disabilities.

Disabled parking infrastructure must adhere to the Americans With Disabilities (ADA) guidelines. ADA guidelines stipulate how many disabled spaces need to exist in a given area, where these spaces need to be located, and who can use these spaces. The ADA regulations are designed to benefit the lives of disabled drivers and to help them to live independently and to get around freely.

As a disabled driver, it is helpful to know as much as possible about the disabled parking system. Knowing the details of the rules and regulations of the disabled parking program makes life easier for disabled permit holders.

There are several different types of disabled parking permit available. What type of disabled parking permit is best suited to a person’s needs will depend on several factors, such as what vehicle they drive, whether they regularly travel in more than one vehicle, what type of a disability they have, and how long their disability will last.

Dr. Handicap - Blue Handicap Parking Space
Image by paulbr on Pixabay: A disabled driver decal can be affixed to a license plate.

Are Disabled Parking Rules The Same In Every State?

The general gist of the disabled parking rules is similar in every state. This is because all states must adhere to ADA regulations. However, each jurisdiction implements their own independent disabled parking program, and some differences exist in the specific details of each state’s program.

What Types Of Disabled Parking Permit Are Available?

The most common types of disabled parking permit, which are available in the majority of states, are:

  • Permanent disabled parking permit (in the form of a placard, license plate, or decal)
  • Temporary disabled parking placard
  • Disabled Veterans license plate or decal
  • Organizational disabled parking placard

What Is A Disabled Driver Decal?

A disabled driver decal is a type of sticker that is durable and can withstand the elements. It is a version of a disabled parking permit that can be affixed to a license plate or to a vehicle that cannot hold a disabled parking placard, such as a motorcycle or boat.

Who Can Get A Disabled Driver Decal?

A disabled driver decal can be obtained by any person who qualifies for a permanent disabled parking permit. This includes people who qualify for a Disabled Veteran’s disabled license plate.

How Many Handicap Stickers Can You Get?

In most states, you can get several disabled parking decals if you need to. You can get a handicap sticker for each of the vehicles that you own.

How Does A Disabled Driver Decal Differ From Other Forms Of Disabled Parking Permit?

A disabled driver decal is a type of disabled parking permit, so it entitles its holder to all of the same benefits as any other type of disabled permit. The benefit of a decal is that it can be affixed to a license plate or to a vehicle that does not have a license plate, such as an off-road vehicle or boat. It can also be affixed to a vehicle that is not suited to displaying a disabled placard, such as a motorcycle.

Is A Handicap Sticker Valid In Every State?

A handicap sticker from any US state is also valid in every other US state. US disabled driver decals are also valid in several foreign countries, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, the EU, and Great Britain.

How Do You Get A Handicap Sticker?

You can get a handicap sticker from your local disabled parking authorities. In most jurisdictions, this will be the local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Dr Handicap - disabled parking permit
Image by gregroose on Pixabay: A disabled driver decal entitles its holder to park in any disabled parking space in America.

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled License Plate Decal?

The qualifying conditions for a disabled driver decal differ slightly state by state. But the main qualifying conditions are:

  • An inability to walk 200 ft without needing to stop to rest
  • An inability to walk without the aid of an assistive device or another person
  • A heart condition
  • Lung disease
  • Any condition that necessitates the use of portable oxygen
  • Legal blindness
  • An orthopedic, arthritic, or neurological condition that curtails mobility

How Do You Apply For A Disabled Driver Decal?

The easiest way to apply for a disabled driver decal is online through the Dr. Handicap online clinic. Dr. Handicap will set up a consultation with a licensed physician in your state, who will examine you to verify your condition and fill in the relevant sections of your state’s disabled permit application forms.

Featured image by Shutterbug75 on Pixabay

How Do I Get A Handicap Sign In Front Of My House?

A lot of disabled drivers write to us asking things like, “How do I get a handicap parking space in front of my house?”. This is a very understandable question, because having a handicap sign designating a disabled space near your house can make life a lot easier.

All public parking lots and streets in the United States are required by law to contain a certain number of disabled parking spaces. This is stipulated in the Americans With Disabilities Act. But even still, as most disabled drivers can attest, it is sometimes difficult to find an available handicap space.

If you live in a built-up urban area, it can be even tougher to find a disabled parking space near your house. Even in an area with a large number of disabled spaces, during busy periods it can often be the case that all disabled spaces are in use. This poses a big problem for disabled drivers whose homes are in such areas.

Getting home after a long day at the office to find that the disabled spaces near your home are all occupied is stressful and (to say the least) inconvenient. So, to avoid such events, a lot of disabled drivers want to know… How do I get a handicap sign in front of my house?

Dr Handicap - disabled parking spots
Image by Norexy art on Pexels: Residential handicap parking spaces are available in many municipalities.

Can I Get A Disabled Parking Space Outside My House?

Whether or not you can get a disabled parking space outside your house depends on where you live. In most states, and municipalities within states, it is possible to get a disabled parking space in close proximity to your house if it is essential.

Many areas, such as the Chicago metropolitan area, have an official Residential Disabled Parking program. To find out the specific situation in your area you should contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

What Are Residential Handicap Parking Signs?

Residential handicap parking signs are signs that designate a parking space as “disabled” and only useable by the person who holds the relevant residential handicap parking permit. These spaces only exist in some municipalities.

Can Any Disabled Parking Permit Holder Park In A Residential Handicap Parking Space?

If a disabled parking space is designated specifically as a residential handicap parking space, the only people who can park in it are people who hold a disabled parking permit and a residential handicap parking permit.

The sign above a residential handicap parking space will usually have a permit number on it that will match the number on the residential handicap parking permit of the person who can use it.

Not all states have this system in place. In some states, a disabled parking space will be installed near a disabled permit holder’s home, but it will be available for any disabled parking permit holder to use.

Does Your Residence Have A Private Residents’ Parking Lot?

If your residence has a private residents’ parking lot, it will be required by law to have a certain number of disabled parking spaces. If this is the case it may be more difficult to get a handicap parking space on the street outside your residence.

How Do I Get A Handicap Sign In Front Of My House?

Many areas have an official program that deals with applications for Residential Disabled Parking. In these areas, you will need to apply through this official program. Each area’s application process is different, so you should contact your local DMV for further details.

In areas that don’t have an official Residential Disabled Parking program, you can still make a request to your local DMV. These requests are usually honored, and new disabled spaces will be installed as near as possible to your address. However, in areas with no official Residential Disabled Parking program, the new spaces will usually be available for use by all disabled permit holders, and not just residents.

What Do I Need To Show To Get A Handicap Sign In Front Of My House?

To get a handicap space in front of your residence you will need to show:

  • Your disabled parking permit
  • Proof that you live at your address
  • Proof that you do not have a viable alternative parking arrangement
Dr Handicap - residential street
Image by Aung Myint on Unsplash: It is usually possible to get a disabled parking space outside your house.

Do I Need To Pay To Get A Handicap Sign In Front Of My House?

Depending on where you live, there can be various costs involved in getting a handicap space in front of your home. These can include:

  • An initial application fee (usually between $20 and $100)
  • An annual maintenance fee (approximately $25 annually)
  • Installation costs (in places where no official Residential Disabled Parking program exists)

How Long Does It Take To Get A Handicap Sign?

Once your application for a handicap sign in front of your house has been accepted, it usually only takes a few weeks to a month to have the sign installed.

How Do I Get A Disabled Parking Permit?

The quickest way to get a disabled parking permit is to have an online consultation with a licensed medical professional. This can be done through the Dr. Handicap online clinic.

Dr. Handicap will put you in contact with a licensed medical professional who will verify your disability and certify the forms that you need to submit to your local DMV in order to acquire a disabled parking permit. It is a simple, quick, and easy process!

Featured image by gregroose on Pixabay

7 Mistakes and Misuses of Disabled Parking Permits To Avoid

Qualifying for you parking permit and obtaining it is a relief for a lot of people. Getting more convenient access to the places you travel to can be a lifesaver. But just because you have that coveted placard in your hand doesn’t mean you won’t still have rules to follow, both as a driver and as a passenger. To make sure you’re always on the right side of the law when displaying your handicap placard, here’s a list of some mistakes that disabled parking permit owners should watch out for.

1. Obtaining a fraudulent placard

The most important thing to avoid is purchasing a fraudulent placard that hasn’t been issued by the state you live in. So what happens if you obtain or if you fraudulently use a disabled parking permit? Well… nothing good!

Any nonofficial placards are considered illegal, and if you’re caught using one, you’ll most likely be issued a ticket and a fine for misuse of disabled parking permits. In some states, this type of placard abuse could even come with probation or jail time. So if you’re getting a placard, make sure to only obtain it through the legitimate Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in your state.

2. Driving with your parking permit up

Some disabled drivers may be in the habit of leaving their parking placard hanging from their rearview mirror when the car is in motion. However, this is in strict violation of safe driving laws, because the placard can obstruct your view while driving. So, whenever you start your vehicle, remember to take down your placard—you should only display your handicap placard when your car is parked.

3. Forgetting to display your permit when you’re parked

Because you can’t leave your placard up at all times (see previous point), it can be easy to forget to display your handicap placard when you’re at your destination. But if you want to avoid getting a ticket, it’s super important to remember to have your permit hanging from your rearview mirror or clearly displayed on the dashboard of your car when you’re parked.

If you have a placard but forget to hang it when you park in a handicap parking place, you can still be ticketed and fined, since law enforcement won’t know that you have a legitimate right to park there. So, no matter what, remember to display your permit whenever you’re parked in a disabled parking spot.

Dr Handicap - no parking sign
Image by Tim Busch on Unsplash: You must obey all parking laws, even if you have a disabled parking permit.

4. Thinking you can park wherever you want

Even though you have advantages of where you can park with a permit, there are still handicap parking rules that must be followed. Even with a placard, you are still not allowed to park in a number of places, including red curbs or fire lanes, No Parking zones, No Stopping zones, and some types of loading zones.

But what happens if you fraudulently use a disabled parking placard for this purpose? Can a car with a handicap placard be towed? Yes, it can! If you’re parked anywhere you shouldn’t be or anywhere that law enforcement might deem unsafe, your car can definitely still be towed (and you could get ticketed or fined as well).

To stay within the law, read all street signs and posted notices so that you’ll be aware of the places you’re permitted to park. If you can’t tell whether it’s legal to park somewhere, your best bet is simply not to park there, or to ask a building manager or law enforcement what the specific laws are for that spot. Never assume that you can park anywhere you want just because you have a disabled parking permit!

5. Lending your placard to someone else

A super important rule to remember is that it’s absolutely forbidden for you to lend your parking permit out to anyone (even family and friends). You must be present in the vehicle if your placard is going to be used.

So, what are the consequences of placard abuse? The severity differs from state to state (even within specific cities), but if you fraudulently use a disabled parking permit the consequences could be as serious as probation or jail time, or as minor as a fine—though keep in mind that tickets can be hundreds of dollars! To avoid any punishments for misuse of disabled parking permits, never let anyone borrow your placard for any reason.

6. Letting your permit expire

Just because you have a permit now doesn’t mean you don’t need to take steps to keep it valid. In fact, it’s vital that you keep your placard up to date. This means that you need to pay attention to when it expires. Expiry ranges from a few months if you have a temporary placard to several years if you have a permanent permit.

Your placard should have an expiration date listed on it, so you’ll be able to tell exactly when it needs to be renewed. Go to your specific state’s DMV website for more information on how to renew your placard when the time comes. Your permit must always be completely up to date in order for you to legally use it.

Dr Handicap - parking lot
Image by Lucas Hobbs on Unsplash: Pay attention to handicap parking rules in your area so that you’re always on the right side of the law.

7. Not researching parking laws in your area

You’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t look up local laws regarding handicap parking in your area. First, you should know what laws to follow in order to be safe, but more importantly, there could be parking benefits near you that you’re unaware of. For example, some states let handicap permit owners park for free at street metered parking, or have unlimited parking even when time limits are posted.

Without doing a bit of research, you could be missing out on some advantages near you. So take a little time to enquire with local law enforcement or check with your local city staff to find out everything you need to know about handicap parking where you live.

As long as you are not misusing disabled parking permits and are avoiding making these mistakes, you’ll be in good shape to take full advantage of your handicap parking permit!

Featured image by Arembowski on Pixabay

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