Although Alaska’s disabled parking permit rules are in many cases similar to many other states in the United States, there are a few particulars which are unique to Alaska, so they may require your attention if you live in or plan to travel to this beautiful state.

If you live in Alaska and have a legitimate need for a disabled parking permit so you can use the handicapped parking spaces, take advantage of the following simple guide—it will make the whole process relatively easy and painless for you.

Who Is Allowed to Get a Disabled Parking Permit?

If any of the points on the following lists apply to you, you likely qualify for a disabled parking permit.

You are eligible for a permanent disabled parking permit if:

  • A licensed physician declares your mobility to be impaired
  • You cannot walk without the assistance of a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, Zimmer frame, wheelchair, or other assistive device
  • You have a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
  • You have a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition
  • You are an amputee
  • You use portable oxygen
  • Your ability to walk is severely limited due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition
  • You cannot walk more than 200 feet without stopping to rest
  • You are restricted by lung disease with forced expiratory volume (FEV) in 1 second is less than 1 liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest

You may be eligible for a temporary disabled parking permit if:

  • You are temporarily disabled
  • You have a broken limb
  • You are recovering from surgery
  • You are pregnant

Different Permits Available in Alaska

There are a few different kinds of disabled parking permits available in Alaska. Each kind is either permanent or temporary.

  • Placard (permanent)
  • Placard (temporary)
  • License Plate (permanent)
  • Disabled Veterans License Plate (permanent)

A permanent permit is valid for five years, while a temporary permit is valid for six months. Permits expire on the final day of the month which is shown on the parking permit.

Step 1: Obtain the Application and Fill out Part 1

You have determined yourself that you qualify for the disabled parking permit. Now you need Form 861: Application for Disabled Parking. This is available online to be downloaded and printed out, or you can pick the form up in person from the DMV.

Fill out Part 1 of the application form.

Step 2: Visit Your Doctor to Get Certified

Visit a doctor or other medical professional who is licensed to practice in the state of Alaska. The medical professional will examine you. If it is his or her professional opinion that you meet the disability qualifications, the medical professional will complete Part 2 of your application form, thus granting you a certification.

Step 3: Submit the Application to the DMV

If you are applying for handicapped license plates, the DMV will only accept applications made in person. The exception to this is if you live in too remote of an area. Only in that case can you mail in your application form to the DMV.

If you are a disabled veteran and you wish to apply for disabled veteran license plates, then include with your application a certification of disability from Veterans’ Affairs.

You will pay no fees in Alaska for the application if you are applying for a placard or if it is your first time applying for license plates.

Bring your completed application to submit it in person to the Division of Motor Vehicles in Anchorage.

Or:

Mail your completed application to the address below:

State of Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles

ATTN: Disability Permit

1300 W. Benson Blvd, Suite 200

Anchorage, AK 99503

Step 4: Receive and Use Your Permit

Make sure that you received the correct kind of permit. If you applied for a permanent permit but were sent a temporary permit instead, contact the DMV immediately to see if there are any problems or confusion with your application.

For license plates:

Affix the license plates firmly to the front and back bumpers of your car with screws.

For placards:

When you drive, carry the placard with you In the vehicle. When you park in a handicapped space, display the placard by hanging it from the rearview mirror (or if you don’t have a rearview mirror, by placing it prominently on the dashboard).

Remove the placard before driving. This is to prevent an obstruction citation and the obscuring of your field of vision.

You can park in any handicapped space in Alaska.

Also, your disabled parking permit from Alaska is valid for a number of other states as well. Before you travel to another state, look up the regulations at that state’s DMV website to determine the validity of your Alaska handicapped permit.

Alaska recognizes the validity of the permits of all other states.

Step 5: Renew or Replace Your Alaskan Permit When Necessary

In order to renew an expired permit or to replace a lost or stolen permit, repeat Steps 1 through 4.

Other states might allow you to renew or replace your permit without a new application and medical certification, but not Alaska. Alaska requires you to submit an entirely new application complete with a new medical certification.

Conclusion

If you are using a placard permit, please do not forget to display the placard on your front windshield when you park in a handicapped parking space, and please do not forget to remove it and stow it away safely when you start driving again!

If the expiration date of your permit is drawing near, don’t forget to book an appointment with a licensed medical professional to get a new certification.

We hope you found this step-by-step guide fairly easy to follow. Happy parking!