There are many individuals in the United States who face tough challenges surrounding medical conditions they have. Some of these conditions require the person who has them to operate with certain special medical tools or methods for exercising functional mobility throughout their day. There are certain conditions that are recognized in the state of Alabama as being a prerequisite for needing a disability parking permit. If you meet any of these requirements you should apply for one to reap the benefits of this permit.

Qualifiers for a Disability Parking Permit

Alabama state has specific qualifiers for those looking to apply for a disability parking permit. There are certain conditions that will qualify an individual for a permanent disability parking permit. If you meet any of the requirements below, you can easily apply for a permit that will allow you to park in handicap spaces within the state of Alabama. Here are the qualifying conditions for this permit:

  • If you are an individual in need of a portable oxygen tank throughout the course of your day
    • You are paralyzed in one or both legs and are unable to use the disabled limbs to walk
    • For you to be able to walk, you must use an assistive device that allows you functional mobility such as crutches, braces, a wheelchair, prosthetic devices, or canes, etc.
    • You have a cardiac condition that is classified as Class III or IV by the American Heart Association
    • You are unable to walk or have limited mobility due to arthritis, a neurological disorder, or an orthopedic condition
    •  You can’t walk at least 200 feet with or without an assistive device without stopping.

If you meet any of these requirements or have a fundamentally similar condition that limits your ability to walk or other aspects of your mobility, you should apply for a disability parking permit in the state of Alabama. Individuals with this permit are eligible to park their vehicles closer to the entrance of public and private establishments legally, helping them to avoid any citations associated with parking in a disabled parking space.

What You Need To Know About Applying for a Disabled Parking Permit

Individuals interested in applying for their disability parking permit are required to fulfill certain steps to be eligible for a permanent disability parking permit. There are temporary parking permits that may be issued if the person who is applying does not have a permanent disability. If you do not meet the required steps for a disability parking permit, you will be denied your application so it is important that you be sure take all the necessary steps.

Receiving the Proper Certification from Your Doctor

If you find that you meet the criteria to qualify for this type of permit, it is important that you meet with your doctor prior to filing the paperwork as you will need a certification from your physician to apply. To file for a disabled parking permit, you will have to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles nearest to you in Alabama. The form needed for this type of permit is the Application for Disability Access Parking Privileges (Form MVR 32-6-230). Obtaining this form is simple, it can be found online or you can head to your local DMV to get a formal copy.

Before you file for your disability parking permit, you must meet with your doctor in the state of Alabama to obtain the proper certification for this permit. This particular document is the centerpiece for your application, and you cannot find for this permit without it. Once you’ve fulfilled this requirement, you can move forward with filing your application.

Filing Your Permit with the DMV

If you are ready to file your disability parking permit, then you should know the rules for filing it within the state of Alabama. The ways that you can file in Alabama are simpler than in other states, making it easy for individuals who are in need of this permit to acquire one. Individuals looking to apply for this permit can file with the DMV in person or via mail.

Where to Place Your Placard

Once you’ve acquired your disability parking permit, you must place the permit in a visible place within your vehicle to avoid receiving a ticket for parking in a disabled space without permission. The best place to hang your disability parking permit would be on your rearview mirror where it can be seen from your vehicle’s windows. If you would like to leave it on your dashboard in an area visible from your windshield, you may do this as well.

When to Renew Your Permit

If you’ve received your disability parking permit, you must ascertain whether it is a temporary parking pass or a permanent one. The length of validity between these two permits is drastically different, so you want to make sure that your permit is valid for the length of time that you are eligible for. A temporary disability parking permit is only valid for 6 months, but a permanent disability parking permit is valid for 5 years.

If your parking permit is soon to expire, it is important to visit your physician before the expiration date to receive recertification that you meet the requirements for your permit’s renewal. If you do not receive a new certification from your physician, you will be unable to reapply for your permit and will be stripped of your disability parking rights the day after your parking permit expires.

Replacing a Lost Permit

If you find that you’ve misplaced your disability parking permit, there is a way to have it replaced if you’ve received a five year permit. You will not have to reapply for the permit, you can simply fill out the application for a replacement permit. Although there is no cost associated with this application, you will have to wait anywhere from two to four weeks to receive your replacement permit and you will not be able to park in disabled parking spaces until you have received it.

Conclusion

If you are eligible for a disability parking permit, then you should apply for one. The process is very simple and filing the application is free. The benefits of being able to park in a handicap parking space will allow you easier access to apartment buildings and businesses, simplifying your commutes within the state of Alabama.