Disabled Parking Permit in Delaware: What you need to know

Like many of the other 50 states in the United States of America, Delaware has set aside convenient parking spots for individuals with disabilities and marked them accordingly. Residents may use these disabled parking spots if you obtain a disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware.

There is, however, a process that you must go through to prove to the state of Delaware that you qualify for a disabled parking permit. The guide below will provide you with everything you need to know in order to be issued a disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware.

Qualifications for Disability Placards in Delaware

Delaware requires those applying for a disability parking permit to have some type of condition, medical or otherwise, that affects your mobility in a severe manner. In most cases, this condition must be accompanied by a certification from a medical professional.

The following are some of the conditions that, when certified by a medical professional, will qualify you for a permit:

  • Inability to walk 200 feet without rest
  • Needing some type of assistive device for walking
    • For example: a brace, cane, wheelchair, prosthetic, or assistance from another person
  • Having severe restrictions in mobility due to lung disease
  • Requiring use of a portable oxygen tank
  • Having been diagnosed with a class 3 or 4 cardiac condition
  • If you are 85 or older

The Application Process

There are a few different methods by which you can apply for a disabled parking permit in the state of Delaware. Each of these methods will be listed and described below.

Online Application

If you have access to a computer and the internet this is the least time-consuming way to apply for a disabled parking permit. However, in the state of Delaware online applications can only be submitted by individuals who are 85 or older.

If you are not 85 or older, you must apply in person or by mail, in order to submit your accompanying documents that prove that you are qualified for the permit. The online process for those who can use it does require a few items to prove your identity.

When applying online you must have the following items readily available to enter in the necessary information:

  • A state of Delaware driver’s license or ID card
  • Your full name
  • Your address
  • Your e-mail address
  • Your phone number
  • Your date of birth
  • Your social security number

Once you have all of this information readily available, you can proceed to the Department of Motor Vehicles website for the state of Delaware and fill out an online application.

Application for a Disability Parking Permit by Mail

You can also apply for a disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware by mail. In order to do this you must first obtain an application, either from the Department of Motor Vehicles in person or by printing it out off of the Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Once you have obtained your application, you can fill out all of the required information. You will also have to include your medical certification with the application in the mail. More information on the medical certification process will be given below.

Applying for your Delaware Disability Parking Permit in Person

To obtain a disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware in person, you must bring all of your necessary documentation to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Upon arrival, you will be able to fill out an application and submit it to one of the state officials

At this point, the official will be able to process your information and application. This may the best approach for some, as you have direct access to an official during your application process who can answer any questions and address concerns.

Medical Certification

If you are applying for a disabled parking permit in the state of Delaware and you are not 85 or older, you will need to receive certification from a registered physician. Those who are 85 or older do not need to complete this step and can simply apply by verifying their identification.

Unlike some other states, the state of Delaware strictly requires that a medical certification be signed by a certified physician. This is necessary to prove that you have a condition that severely limits your mobility, qualifying you for the issuance of a disabled parking permit.

Types of Disability Parking Permits Issued in Delaware

Just as in many other states, the state of Delaware issues a temporary and a permanent version of a disability parking permit. Each of these permits has a different period of time in which they are valid.

A temporary parking permit is valid for 90 days before it has to be renewed by the State. The renewal process for each placard will be described below.

A permanent parking permit for the state of Delaware is valid for three years. After this time period, the placard of a license plate must be renewed. Further medical certification is not required at this time.

Fees for your parking permit

In many cases, the state of Delaware does not charge fees for a disabled parking permit. There are, however, circumstances in which costs may apply. It is best to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if there are any fees pertaining to your specific situation.

Renewal

Similar to the initial application process, renewal of a disabled parking permit in Delaware can be done online, by mail or in person. You must have all of your information readily available for each process.

Medical certification is not required for the renewal of a permanent disabled parking permit. Some states do require that you repeat the process; Delaware does not.

Conclusion

If you follow this guide you should have no problem obtaining your disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware. Just remember that you need to receive medical certification from a licensed physician if you are under the age of 85. Once you have that certification and all of your other information ready to submit, you will be able to utilized Delaware’s disabled parking system.

Do You Legally Qualify for a Disabled Parking Permit in Delaware

In order for you to access the great state of Delaware’s disabled parking system, there are some qualifications that you have to meet. The state of Delaware has many laws and regulations as well as legal definitions for a disabled driver that must be met to obtain and use your permit properly.

What kind of vehicle does your permit apply to?

If you are trying to obtain a disabled parking permit for your vehicle, there are parameters that you should be aware of what the state of Delaware considers a motor vehicle that qualifies. The types of vehicles are defined as:

  • Passenger cars
  • Station wagons
  • Pickup trucks
  • Motorcycles
  • Panel van trucks
  • Other motor vehicles used by disabled persons not exceeding 14,000 lbs

Do you qualify as a disabled person?

If you are an owner of a vehicle that can be described by one of the qualifications above, there are qualifications set by the state of Delaware of what constitutes as a disabled person. If you fall within these qualifications it is important to remember that you must have this condition medically certified.

All of these qualifications are described as conditions that severely limit your mobility and impair your ability to walk. You qualify if it can be medically certified that you cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.

If you cannot walk without some type of assistance from a device or another person, you can qualify as well. A restrictive lung disease that affects your mobility is also a condition that is recognized by Delaware.

The legal parameters of this type of lung disease are defined as a forced expiratory volume of 1 second less than 1 liter, measured by spirometry. Or, if you have an arterial oxygen tension less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air at rest.

If you are on portable oxygen per the advice of a physician you are within the legal qualifications. A cardiac condition within the classifications of the American Heart Association as class 3 or 4 qualifies as well.

If your ability to walk is severely limited by some type of orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic conditions you will qualify. All of these conditions are legally recognized by the state of Delaware as qualifications for a disabled parking permit.

Issuance by the state of Delaware of your permit

If you fall within the parameters above for a disabled person who owns a vehicle defined above, then the state of Delaware will qualify you to be issued a disabled parking permit. The medical qualifications above, however, must be certified by a physician.

Medical Certification

You must have the proper medical certification in order to be considered a qualified candidate for a disabled parking permit. You must be certified by a licensed medical professional, which includes the following:

  • A licensed physician
  • A physician assistant who is supervised by a licensed physician
  • An advanced practiced nurse who is employed by a licensed physician
  • An advanced practice nurse who has a collaborative agreement with a licensed physician

When any of these individuals provide a certification, they must note that this is a permanently debilitating condition. Although you will not need to recertify medically, a physician may need to sign off that your condition is persisting beyond the period of expiration of the permit.

How much is a disabled parking permit?

You should not necessarily expect to receive your disabled parking permit for free. However, the law for the issuance of the permit by the state of Delaware indicates that the Department of Motor Vehicles cannot charge more than a standard license plate fee for the issuance of this particular permit.

Basically, you should not expect to pay any more during your visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a disabled parking permit than you have paid for past services. It is important to note that if the Department charges you more, they should owe you an explanation of how they are operating outside of the parameters of the law for issuance of the permit.

Qualifications for renewal

That state of Delaware does not require recertification for a medical condition when renewing you permanent disabled parking permit. However, the state does require that your condition is documented by a permanent impairment to your mobility.

Some states do require you to recertify medically, however in Delaware, this is not a requirement. It is important to note that even though you are issued a permanently disabled parking permit you must renew that permit every three years. It is illegal to display and use an expired disabled parking permit in the state of Delaware.

Other Qualifications

You also do not need medical certification to receive a disabled parking permit in the state of Delaware if you are 85 years old or older. If you are within this qualification then you can simply apply without the certification of a licensed physician.

It is also important to note that if you have a disabled parking permit from another state that you can use it in Delaware. Delaware, unlike some other states, does not require that you obtain a traveling permit for a non=resident,

Delaware also has an allowance for 100%, disabled veterans, to obtain their disabled parking permit. If you are certified by the department of veteran affairs as a 100% disabled veteran you are eligible for the issuance of a permit from the state of Delaware without a permit.

Conclusion

When applying for a disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware it is important to make sure that you fall within all of the legal qualifications. It is important to understand the legal definitions of what type of vehicle can and cannot be registered and what the state of Delaware recognizes as the conditions of a disabled person who is qualified to apply.

Your knowledge of all of these parameters set bt the state of Delaware will make the application process and issuance of your disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware a breeze.

Using Your Delaware Disabled Parking Permit Properly

It is important with any permit or license issued to you by the state of Delaware, that you use it properly and according to the law. The misuse of permits and documents can result in their revocation or worse civil and criminal penalties.

The following guide will help you to better understand the proper use of your disabled parking permit issued to you by the state of Delaware. If you follow all of the laws and terms of use, you will have a useful tool in your permit allowing access to the disabled parking system in the state of Delaware, and within any other state that recognizes other permits.

Where you may not use your permit

If issued, you will have access to all indicated disabled parking spaces, as well as possible preferential access to non-designated spaces. However, you are not allowed to park in the following areas:

  • In a space or zone where the parking, standing or stopping of all vehicles is not allowed
  • In a space or zone that is designated for the use of other special types of vehicles
    • For example:
      • Ambulance parking
      • Police Parking
      • Delivery Vehicles
      • Transportation vehicles
  • In a space or zone that is assigned to personal use for residential or business purposes
  • Where parking is restricted due to heavy traffic flow during morning afternoon or evening rush hours
  • Where parking would clearly present a traffic hazard

Proper usage of your disabled parking permit requires that you do not park in any of these areas.

Who is authorized to use your permit

You must be present during any and all usage of your disabled parking permit. You do not have to be operating the vehicle in which your permit is disp[layed but you must then be a passenger in that vehicle.

Any usage of your permit by another person in a situation that you are not present is a violation of the law. If you knowingly consented to this type of use of your permit then you are subject to a penalty.

Falsifying your conditions

If you are not forthcoming about your condition of impairment during the medical certification process of obtaining a permit or if you presented false information to the physician to get the certification, you have illegally obtained your disabled parking permit. The state of Delaware considers this offense to be an unclassified misdemeanor, and you will be fined.

When to Return Your Placard to the Department of Motor Vehicles

There are several reasons given by the state of Delaware under which you should return your disabled parking placard to the Department of Motor Vehicles. These are:

  • When you are reapplying for a placard
  • When the placard expires
    • 3-year expiration for a permanent placard
    • 90-day expiration for a temporary placard
  • When you no longer need the placard due to:
    • No longer being disabled
    • No longer in the business of transporting disabled individuals
  • The person who the placard was registered to has died

Where you can use your disabled parking permit

There are many spaces and zones that your disabled parking permit issued to you by the state of Delaware can be used. Generally, spaces that are designated for your use will have the universal symbol for disabled parking.

The universal symbol is a blue and white sign with a picture of a wheelchair. This is usually indicated by a sign above the parking space or is painted directly on the parking space.

You may also have preferential access to non-designated spots. This could be the case during special events in which regular parking spaces are cordoned off for the used of disabled permit holders.

In some states, holders of a disabled parking permit are not subject to parking meter fees. It is well-advised that you look up this information before assuming the state your in has this policy. Otherwise, you may receive a parking fine.

There are many states throughout the country that recognize the validity of your Delaware disabled parking permit, just as Delaware recognizes a permit from any other state. Again this is a piece of information that you should research before assuming that your Delaware disabled parking permit is usable in a state that you have traveled to.

Follow all traffic laws

Although your disabled parking permit gives you access to designated parking spaces that other motorists cannot use, you are still subject to all other traffic laws. Outside of parking, there are no laws that your disabled parking permit exempts you from.

You are also subject to laws pertaining to the usage of your disabled parking permit. When parking in a designated space, your permit must be displayed at all times.

You are required to remove your permit when your vehicle is in motion. The placard acts as an obstruction to your view of the road. If you are operating a vehicle in which the placard is obstructing your view you made be held liable for any infractions or accidents that you are involved in as a result.

It is important to be aware of your surroundings when operating a motor vehicle. Preferential treatment when it comes to the parking of that vehicle should not affect your operation on the roadways.

Replacing your disabled parking placard

If your disabled parking placard issued to you by the state of Delaware is somehow lost, damage, or stolen, you need to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Department of Motor Vehicles will then instruct you in the process of replacing your placard.

There is usually a small replacement fee issue by the Department of Motor Vehicles. This fee may be waived depending on the circumstances in which the placard needs replaced.

Conclusion

It is always important under normal circumstances that you follow the law. A disabled parking permit issued to you by the state of Delaware is a great advantage to assist you with your limited mobility. However, it is important that you follow all of the laws pertaining to its usage.

What Is the Origin of Handicap Parking and What Must Be Done to Get a Permit in Delaware?

Known for its pristine beaches, its scenic vistas, its charming provincial towns, and its quaint colonial-era atmosphere, and its notable lack of a sales tax, Delaware is the second smallest state in the US (Rhode Island is the smallest state). Although Delaware is the sixth least populous state, because its size is so small, it is actually ranked sixth among the states in terms of its population density. Thus, in Delaware, people are used to living closer together and in a more crowded way than in most other states.

Delaware is not just a state teeming with people; it is a state steeped in history and cultural pride. The state of Delaware, which was one of the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Great Britain to become the United States of America, prides itself particularly on being “the First State,” due to its having been the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States on December 7, 1787.

If you have studied a bit of US history, you may know that Delaware is “the First State.” You may know this even if you haven’t studied American history, since the title is proudly displayed on every single one of the state’s license plates. But Delaware is also home to another quite significant (albeit lesser known) first: Delaware was the first state to pass a law regarding disability parking. The law, which designates a number of parking spaces to be made available only to those who are disabled, dates to 1955 and was the first of its kind.

Delaware has never been afraid to be first, and the handicapped parking legislation it pioneered is entirely in line with the state’s proud cultural history and character. Caring in this way for its disabled residents, who would otherwise have great difficulty finding a parking spot due to the state’s high population density, may not seem quite as momentous as being the first to ratify the Constitution and begin the American way of life as we know it, but it is certainly something else of which Delawareans can be proud.

The laws in Delaware governing handicap parking have certainly come a long way since 1955. If you require the use of designated handicapped parking and you live in Delaware, you must follow the procedures outlined below in order to receive a handicap parking permit, which will allow you to park in a handicapped space.

Prerequisites for Obtaining a Permit in Delaware

In order to receive a handicap parking permit in Delaware, you must have a disability or mobility impairment that prevents you from walking with ease. The following are conditions which make you eligible for a disabled parking permit:

  • Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
  • Cannot walk safely without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistive device.
  • Is restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the applicant’s or household member’s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume, one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty mm/hg. at room air or rest.
  • Uses portable oxygen.
  • Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the applicant’s or household member’s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association.
  • Is severely limited in his or her ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.

These are the conditions listed on the Delaware Application for Special License Plate or Special Parking ID Placard for Persons with Disabilities (Form MV474). This form must be filled out by you and by a registered physician. The physician will determine if any of the conditions apply to you, and if that is the case, he or she will certify you as a disabled person eligible to receive a handicap parking permit by completing the form.

In addition to the above conditions, there may be other conditions not listed which permanently or temporarily prevent you from being able to walk. In such a case, your physician will determine the validity of the condition and certify you accordingly.

For instance, your ability to walk may be impaired or substantially limited for five weeks or more by the fact that you just had a major surgery. In this case, the doctor acknowledges your need of a disabled parking permit but surely expects and hopes for your recovery, so he or she will certify you for a temporary placard and specify the number of days it is to remain valid (between 35 and 90 days).

Also, if you are 85 years of age or older, you are automatically eligible for a disabled parking permit in Delaware. You do not need a physician’s certification; you only need to prove your age.

Applying for a Permit

The form which has been properly filled out by your doctor and by you will need to be submitted to the Delaware DMV either in person or by mail to this address:

State of Delaware

Division of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 698

Dover, DE 19903

Attn: Correspondence

Applying for a placard is free, but applying for a license plate carries the usual DMV registration fee. Also, applying for a Disabled Veterans special license plate involves a $10 fee and necessitates a certification from the VA that you became disabled as a result of serving your country.

Those who are 85 and older can also apply for the permit online.

Renewing or Replacing a Permit

Temporary placards are valid for the days specified by your doctor (minimum 35, maximum 90) and cannot be renewed.

Long-term plates and placards are good for three years and can be renewed either online or by mail.

Replacing a placard or plate must be done online and may require a replacement fee of $1.00 depending on the circumstances necessitating the replacement.

Conclusion

If you are disabled, you can partake of a little slice of proud Delaware history by adhering to the above instructions and getting yourself a handicap parking permit to park in a Delaware handicapped space, the first of its kind.

All You Need to Know about Handicap Parking Permits in Delaware

Delaware is a state famed for being one of the original thirteen colonies which rebelled against Great Britain and made themselves into the United States of America. This small but proud state is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the state of New Jersey on the east, by Pennsylvania on the north, and by Maryland on the south and on the west.

The name of the state of Delaware is derived from the Delaware River, whose name in turn was derived from Thomas West, the 3rd Baron De La Warr. The Delaware River delineates much of the border between Delaware and the neighboring state of New Jersey.

Delaware is one of the smallest states in the nation. In fact, only Rhode Island can claim to be smaller. But just because it is small does not mean it is insignificant. In fact, Delaware was the first state to decide to ratify the Constitution of the United States on December 7, 1787, thus earning itself the fitting moniker of “the First State.”

Indeed, the title “The First State” is proudly displayed on each and every license plate issued in the State of Delaware, a fact quickly noticed by visitors to the state. But visitors might also take note that on a number of those license plates, a handicapped symbol stands emblazoned to the left of the license plate number, indicating that the license plate also serves as a handicap parking permit. For those who are disabled, Delaware has made provisions regarding handicapped parking spaces in the hopes of making the lives of disabled persons a little easier.

Delaware has a specific set of guidelines and procedures governing who is eligible to receive a disabled parking permit, and those guidelines have been crystallized into the following informational guide. Here is what you need to know about obtaining a handicap parking permit in the state of Delaware.

What Is Considered a Disability in Delaware?

The definition of disability that makes a person qualified for a handicap parking permit in the state of Delaware is wide ranging yet fair.

For instance, not being able to walk for more than 200 feet without needing to stop and rest, not being able to walk safely without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistive device, or using portable oxygen are all conditions which qualify you as disabled in Delaware.

Other conditions include being restricted by severe lung disease, suffering from a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition as defined by the American Heart Association, or being severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.

Other conditions which hinder one’s mobility severely enough may also be considered disabilities and may make a person eligible for a disabled parking permit in Delaware.

A special subgroup of people in Delaware who may or may not have a disability but who are also eligible to receive a disabled parking permit is those who are of age 85 years and older.

Who Is Qualified to Determine Disability?

In order to determine who is actually disabled, Delaware requires a certification of disability from those applying for a handicap parking permit. In Delaware, only a licensed physician may give such a certification.

The licensed physician must conduct a physical examination and give proof of the disability by completing and signing an application form, Form MV474 (obtainable online or in person at a Delaware DMV location). The person applying for the disabled parking permit must bring this form with them to the physical exam so that the licensed physician can fill out the relevant portions of the form.

What Kinds of Permits Are Available?

If you find yourself in need of a disabled parking permit, you will need to know the kind of permit that best suits your situation. Delaware provides handicap parking permits in the form of a long-term placard and a long-term license plate. It also provides a temporary placard to those who are immobile but whose immobilizing condition is temporary or has a hope of improvement.

Placards must be hung from the rearview mirror of your vehicle when you are parked in a handicapped space and removed when the car is in motion. License plates must of course be permanently and securely fixed to the back bumper of your vehicle.

Delaware also offers a special long-term disability license plate for disabled veterans which displays not only the handicapped symbol but also the letters “DAV,” which stand for “Disabled American Veterans.” Delaware recently streamlined this process for disabled veterans, allowing them to have a special plate designating not only their disability but also their service to their country.

Long-term placards and license plates expire after three years, and temporary placards are valid between 35 and 90 days (the exact number of days is to be determined by the licensed physician).

How Do You Apply for the Permit?

The application process is relatively straightforward: You must obtain the application form (Form MV474), fill out the relevant sections, and have your doctor fill out the rest to certify you as disabled and in need of a permit. Then you must either turn in your application in person at any Delaware DMV office or mail it to the following address:

State of Delaware

Division of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 698

Dover, DE 19903

Attn: Correspondence

Those who are aged 85 years and older can apply by mail but can also apply online, since no physician’s certification is needed (only proof of age is required).

In terms of application fees, obtaining a long-term or a temporary placard is free, but obtaining a license plate requires the standard DMV registration fee. Veterans applying for a DAV plate must pay a one-time fee of $10 and include with their application a certificate of eligibility from the Veterans’ Administration.

How Do You Renew or Replace Your Permit?

Temporary placards cannot be renewed in Delaware (a new application must be submitted to get another one), but permanent placards and license plates can be renewed online or by mail with Form MV2011.

Applying for a replacement for a lost, damaged, or stolen placard or license plate can be done online but may require a small $1.00 replacement fee.

Conclusion

That is all you need to know about getting a disabled parking permit in the proud state of Delaware!