Obtaining a disabled parking permit, also known as a Persons with Disabilities parking permit or a handicap parking permit, is not always the smoothest process. Matters are oftentimes complicated by the fact that each state in the US has a slightly different set of laws governing the issuance of disabled parking permits.

If you live in Arkansas and you believe that you are in need of a disabled parking permit, read on to discover what you must do to obtain your Arkansas disabled parking permit.

Kinds of Disabled Parking Permits in Arkansas

In Arkansas, if you need a disabled parking permit, there are a few different kinds for which you may apply. Permits come in either placard form or license plate form and are considered either temporary or permanent in terms of their expiration date.

A temporary placard lasts for three months. You can get up to two temporary placards, each with the same expiration date.

Permanent permits are somewhat deceptively named, since they bear an expiration date and are not actually permanent. A permanent placard lasts for four years, and you can receive up to two permanent placards.

A disabled license plate is also a permanent permit, and it lasts for four years as well. If you are approved for a disabled license plate, you can get either a license plate by itself, a license plate and one permanent placard, or a license plate and two permanent placards.

Another form of disabled license plate is the Disabled Veteran Specialty Plate. This is a permanent permit which lasts for four years and is exclusively available to veterans who have suffered a service-related mobility impairment. 

Do You Qualify for a Permit?

In terms of determining who is qualified to receive a disabled parking permit, Arkansas conforms to general disability guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act and adds a few guidelines of its own to extend the field of those who might qualify. Please consult the list below to determine if you meet the qualifications for receiving a disabled parking permit. You may be eligible for the permit if any of the below items is applicable to you:

  • You cannot walk 100 feet without rest
  • You must use a wheelchair, cane, crutches, Zimmer frame, or other walking aid
  • You use a portable oxygen tank
  • You have a heart condition classified as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association
  • You have a spinal cord injury, genetic ambulatory disorder, amputation, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis that impairs mobile ability
  • You have 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
  • Other (must be specified by a licensed physician)

You may suffer from another ailment or condition not listed above which may qualify you for a disabled parking permit. In such a case, you simply need the determination of a licensed physician to certify that your condition impairs your mobility enough to qualify you for a permit.

Begin the Application Process

If one of the above prerequisites applies to you, you may begin to apply for a disabled parking permit by obtaining the application, 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. You can go online to download and print out this form, or you can visit an Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) revenue office to acquire a copy of this form.

Make an appointment with a licensed physician and be sure to bring the form with you. The physician will need to examine you to make a determination as to whether you meet any of the disability qualifications. If your physician decides that you qualify, then he or she will complete the form and sign it, thus certifying you as a person with a disability.

Submit Your Application

Your application will consist of a completed Form 10-336, a proof of identity (this can be your Social Security Number, your AR driver’s license number, or your AR state ID number), and payment (if necessary). If you are applying for a Disabled Veteran Plate, you must also include a certification from the VA that your disability is service-connected.

Placard permits may be obtained free of charge, while license plate permits carry the standard plate registration fee.

You can either submit your application in person at an Arkansas DFA revenue office or mail it to the address below:

Department of Finance and Administration

Special License Unit

P.O. Box 1272

Little Rock, AR 72203

What to Do with Your Permit

After obtaining your permit, you can use it to park in specially designated handicapped parking spots.

Placards must be hung on the rearview mirror of your vehicle or placed visibly on the dashboard if your car lacks a rearview mirror. Hang the placard once you have parked in a handicapped spot, and remove the placard before you begin driving again. If you fail to remove the placard, it may impede your vision while driving. License plates must be attached securely to the back bumper of your vehicle.

Permit Renewal or Replacement

Arkansas makes the following convenient methods of renewal available. You may make a renewal:

  • By calling the toll-free number: 1-800-941-2580
  • ●      Online through the STAR System
  • By mail to the address below:

Department of Finance and Administration

Office of Motor Vehicle

PO Box 3153

Little Rock, AR 72203-3153

In Arkansas, no medical recertification by a physician is necessary to renew your disabled parking permit.

Temporary parking permits may not be renewed; if you require another temporary permit, you must make an entirely new application.

Only permanent parking permits are eligible for renewal.

Handicapped Parking Violations

If you park in a handicapped space and fail to display your permit or someone who is not disabled parks in a handicapped space, the offending vehicle may be subject to impounding. For parking in a handicapped spot without a visible disabled parking permit, the fine is $100-$500 for a first offense and $250-$1000 for a second or subsequent offense.

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful in showing who qualifies for an Arkansas disabled parking permit and how to obtain said permit. Once you receive your permit, don’t forget to display it while parked and remove it while driving!