Due to the fact that the rules and regulations for parking permits vary by state, it may be difficult for those living in the United States to obtain a disabled parking permit. Sometimes the laws in a particular state may even differ from city to city. If you need a disabled parking permit and you reside in the state of Alaska, take the steps outlined in this simple guide to make the process easier.

Check If You Qualify

Since parking permit laws vary from state to state, Alaska has its own unique qualifications to determine who is legally allowed to receive a disabled parking permit. Before you fill out the application, ensure you are eligible based on whether you meet any of the following requirements. If any of the following apply to you, then you are eligible for a disabled parking permit in Alaska.

You are eligible for a permanent parking permit if:

  • A medical professional who examines you determines that your mobility is impaired or that you are suffering from a condition that impairs your mobility
  • You suffer from a lung disease
  • You have a heart condition
  • You must use a portable oxygen tank
  • You are an amputee
  • You must use a wheelchair, cane, crutches, Zimmer frame, or other walking aid
  • You suffer from an arthritic, orthopedic or neurological condition
  • You suffer from a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
  • You are unable to walk for 200 meters without requiring a pause and a rest

You may be eligible for a temporary parking permit if:

  • You have a temporary mobility issue or disability
  • You have a broken limb
  • You are recovering from surgery
  • You are pregnant

Get Certified by a Physician

The biggest hurdle for most people to overcome when trying to get a disabled parking permit is obtaining the necessary paperwork. Alaskans applying for a disabled parking permit must fill out Form 861: Application for Disabled Parking Identification (available in person at the DMV or to print out online) and bring it to a qualified medical professional, who must be a physician, a nurse practitioner, a physician’s assistant, a podiatrist, or a chiropractor. After the medical professional has examined you and determined that you do indeed qualify legally for the disabled parking permit, he or she ought to fill out Part II of the application form for you.

Mail the Documents

After obtaining a medical professional’s certification, fill out the rest of the form and mail it or bring it to submit it in person to the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles office in Anchorage. The address is as follows:

State of Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles

ATTN: Disability Permit

1300 W. Benson Blvd, Suite 200

Anchorage, AK 99503

If you would also like to apply for a disabled license plate, an application must be made in person (unless your home is too remote and far from the DMV. In this case, applications by mail will be accepted).

If you are a veteran and would like to apply for a disabled veterans license plate, include a certificate of disability from the VA in your application.

Disabled parking permit placards in Alaska are provided free of charge. Handicapped license plates being obtained for the first time also do not carry any fees.

Steps to Take After Receiving a Permit

The types of disabled parking permits available in Alaska include a temporary placard (valid for six months), a permanent license plate, a permanent placard, and a permanent disabled veterans license plate. Permanent permits are valid for a duration of five years. Permits are set to expire on the last day of the month listed on the permit.

 Ensure that you have received the correct kind of disabled parking permit. If you need a permanent parking permit and have been certified to receive such from your physician but you received a temporary placard, contact the DMV to inquire as to the reason why.

To use a placard, hang it on the rearview mirror (on the front windshield) of the car with which you are travelling after parking in a handicapped location. Do not keep the placard there while the car is in motion, as it can obscure your field of vision. If your car lacks a rear view mirror, place the placard clearly and visibly on your dashboard. License plates should be affixed securely to the front and the back of your vehicle and must remain there at all times.

With your disabled parking permit, you may park in any designated handicapped spot in Alaska. You may also park in the handicapped spots of most other states, although you should check beforehand with the authorities of the state to which you are travelling to ensure that your Alaska permit will be valid in that state. Conversely, Alaska recognizes the disabled parking permits of all other states.

Renewing or Replacing Your Permit

If you need to renew your permit due to its expiration or replace your permit because you misplaced it, you must repeat the application process entirely, as if you were applying for a new permit. This includes getting certified again by a medical professional. In this regard, Alaska differs from a number of other states (which do not require a new certification by a doctor).

This Alaskan requirement makes the renewal process stricter than that of most states, but it also ensures fairness so that no one can trick the system and get a life-long permit when they are actually immobile for only a short time.

Conclusion

This simple guide provides step-by-step instructions for receiving your disabled parking permit in Alaska. As you can see, the process in Alaska is simple, fair, well-designed, and relatively efficient. In order to use your disabled parking permit correctly, remember to display it visibly at all times when parked in a handicapped spot, and mark your calendar for the date of your permit expiration so you are reminded to visit the doctor to get certified again if you need to do so.