Can I Use My Disabled Parking Permit When Driving Someone Else’s Car?
People who are new to using disabled parking tend to have a lot of questions. Despite the fact that getting a disabled parking permit massively improves a person’s quality of life, it can be a little confusing. Learning how to properly use your state’s disabled parking program is a process that takes a little time and effort – but it’s time and effort well spent.
Can I use my disabled parking permit when driving someone else’s car? Can I use my disabled parking permit in different cars? Can I use my disabled parking permit in rental cars? These are some of the most common questions that new disabled parking permit holders have.
In this article, we will answer many important questions people commonly have about disabled parking, focusing in particular on which vehicles a person is permitted to use their disabled parking permit in.
Image by MabelAmber on Pixabay: What do the numbers on a disabled parking permit mean? It’s not hard to figure out with this guide!
What Is A Disabled Parking Permit?
A disabled parking permit is a state-issued permit that entitles its holder to avail of disabled parking facilities. The permit is issued by a person’s home state, but it also entitles the person to avail of the disabled parking facilities in any other state they visit.
A disabled parking permit comes in various forms depending on the applicant’s home state, their medical condition, and their preferences.
What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available?
The type of disabled parking permit available to a person depends on which state they live in. The types of permits available vary state by state, but the vast majority of states have some version of a temporary placard that usually lasts for between six and 12 months and a permanent placard that usually lasts three to five years.
For permanently disabled people, a disabled license plate or veteran’s plate is also usually available. Organizational permits are also available in most states.
How Do You Apply For A Disabled Parking Permit?
Telemedicine is making it easier than ever before to apply for a disabled parking permit. The first step is to have a consultation with a local medical professional. The easiest way to do this is to have an online consultation through Dr. Handicap. Once this is done, the doctor will fill in an application form that then needs to be submitted to local disabled parking authorities.
What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit?
The qualifying conditions for disabled parking vary state by state. But the main group of conditions that qualify a person in almost all states includes:
- not being able to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest;
- not being able to walk without the aid of a crutch, walking stick, wheelchair, cane, other person, or other assistant device;
- lung disease;
- heart disease classified as class IV or V by the American Heart Association;
- portable oxygen tank usage;
- arthritis;
- a neurological disease.
Image by SGENET on Pixabay: Wheelchair use is a qualifying condition for disabled parking.
How Do You Use A Disabled Parking Permit?
A disabled parking permit entitles a person to park in any disabled parking space. In many jurisdictions, it also entitles a person to park in metered, time-restricted on-street parking spaces for free and for an extended period of time.
A disabled parking placard should be hung from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked and safely stowed away when the vehicle is in motion.
There are now numerous great disabled parking apps that enable people to get the best out of an area’s disabled parking program.
Is Your Disabled Parking Permit Registered To Only Your Car?
If a person has a disabled parking placard it can be used on any car that they are traveling in, whether it is their own car or somebody else’s. In this sense, a placard is registered to a person and not to a vehicle.
License plates are different because they cannot be removed. This is why disabled licensed plates can only be put on a vehicle that is solely registered to a disabled parking permit holder.
Can You Use Your Disabled Parking Permit In Another Person’s Car?
You can use your disabled parking permit in another person’s car when you are traveling in that car. However, you are not allowed to lend your disabled parking permit to somebody to use in their car when you are not traveling with them.
Can You Use Your Disabled Parking Permit In A Rental Car?
You can use your disabled parking permit in a rental car anywhere in the country. This will entitle you to the same disabled parking privileges in the area you have rented the car that you would have back in your home state with your own vehicle.