Getting a disabled parking permit may seem like a headache-inducing process, but it doesn’t have to be. If you need a disabled parking permit and you live in the state of Arkansas, read the following simple guide, which includes step by step instructions on how to get your disabled parking permit.
Arkansas Disabled Parking Permit Types
Arkansas disabled parking permits come in the following forms:
- A temporary placard (valid for three months; up to two placards with the same expiration date can be obtained)
- A permanent placard (valid for four years; up to two placards can be obtained)
- A permanent disabled license plate (valid for four years; up to one license plate and up to two permanent placards may be obtained)
- A permanent Disabled Veteran Specialty Plate (valid for four years; up to one license plate and up to two permanent placards may be obtained; only veterans with a disability connected to their service are eligible)
Who Is Allowed to Get a Disabled Parking Permit?
Check the list below to see if you are allowed to obtain a disabled parking permit in Arkansas.
Conditions which make you eligible for a disabled parking permit in Arkansas include (but are not limited to) the following:
- You are unable to walk more than 100 feet without rest
- You are unable to walk without the use of a wheelchair, cane, crutches, Zimmer frame, or other walking aid
- You are dependent on a portable oxygen tank
- You suffer from chronic heart disease
- You are restricted by lung disease, specifically with a forced expiratory volume (FEV) for 1 second, when measured by spirometry, is less than 1 liter or your arterial oxygen tension is less than 60mm/hg at rest
- You suffer from a cardiac condition classified as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association
- You suffer from a spinal cord injury
- You suffer from a genetic ambulatory disorder
- You have undergone an amputation
- You suffer from spina bifida or multiple sclerosis that impairs mobile ability
- Other (must be specified by a licensed physician)
All qualifying conditions must be certified by a licensed physician.
Step 1: Obtain the Application Form
Get a copy of Form 10-336: Licensed Physician’s or Organization’s Certification for Issuance of a Special License Plate or Certificate for a Person with a Disability. This is the application form you will need.
The form is available at your local Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) revenue office. You can pick up Form 10-336 in person.
The form is also available online. You can download Form 10-336 and print it out.
Step 2: Visit a Licensed Physician to Receive Certification
With Form 10-336 in hand, visit a licensed physician to become certified. The certification process is simple: Your physician examines you. If the physician decides that you qualify for a disabled parking permit, he or she will fill out Form 10-336. A copy of Form 10-336 filled out and signed by a licensed physician serves as a certification of your disability.
Step 3: Submit Your Application and Documentation
For your disabled parking permit application to be complete, you will need the following:
- A completed and signed copy of Form 10-336
- A proof of your identity (this can be your Social Security Number (SSN), your AR driver’s license number, or your AR state ID card number)
- Any necessary payment for fees (applying for a placard is free of charge, but applying for a license plate comes with the normal registration fees)
- A Veterans’ Administration rating certification certifying that your disability resulted from your service (only if you are applying for a Disabled Veteran Specialty Plate)
Submit the above documents in person to a local Arkansas DFA revenue office or mail the above documents to the following address:
Department of Finance and Administration
Special License Unit
P.O. Box 1272
Little Rock, AR 72203
Step 4: Use Your Permit
If you have received a disabled license plate or a Disabled Veteran Specialty Plate, affix it securely to the back bumper of your car.
If you have received a placard, hang it from your rearview mirror so it is clearly visible through your front windshield while you are parked in a handicapped space. If you do not have a rearview mirror, place the placard clearly and visibly on your dashboard. Remove the placard before driving to prevent the obscuring of your field of vision and a hazardous driving environment.
You may use your disabled parking permit to park in any handicapped parking space in the state of Arkansas.
Step 5: Renew or Replace Your Permit
Once your disabled parking permit is about to expire, you may renew it by the following methods:
- ● Online through the STAR System
- By calling the toll-free number: 1-800-941-2580
- By mail to the following address:
Department of Finance and Administration
Office of Motor Vehicle
PO Box 3153
Little Rock, AR 72203-3153
You do not need to go to your physician to get recertified in order to renew your Arkansas permit.
Temporary placards are not able to be renewed; only permanent permits can be renewed. If you need another temporary permit, you must repeat Steps 1 through 4.
Handicapped Parking Fines
Vehicles parked in a handicapped parking space which do not display a valid permit will be fined and may be subject to impound. The following fines for handicapped parking violations apply:
For a first offense: $100-$500
For a repeated offense: $250-$1000
In other words, don’t forget to display your disabled parking permit when you are parked in a handicapped spot!
Conclusion
We hope this guide showed you how easy and relatively painless it can be to obtain a disabled parking permit in Arkansas. Remember to display the placard when you park in a handicapped spot, and don’t forget to remove the placard before driving. Happy Parking!