How Do You Get Your Disabled Parking Permit in Minnesota?

If you are looking to get an official permit allowing you to park in a disabled spot, there are several steps you need to follow; and, as the specific steps and requirements tend to be different in every state, it can get frustrating quickly! However, if you prepare ahead, make sure that you read the instructions and collect the proper documentation, and follow-through, it’s very possible to receive everything you need without too much of a headache.

Gather Your Materials

As early as you can, start putting together the required documents for your application. This is typically the most work-intensive step of the process, so beginning early can help make sure that getting your disabled parking permit is as little of a headache as possible! The following materials are required for submission when you apply for a disability parking permit in MN:

Physician Certificate. To qualify for disability parking in Minnesota, you need to obtain a signed statement from a licensed doctor that describes and affirms your condition. The specific document which your doctor should fill out and sign is part of the Application for Disability Parking Certificate, which can be found on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.
The completed Application form. You should fill out the form yourself, as best you are able; however, if necessary due to your condition, someone else can help you. If you are unable to sign the form, whoever helps you will need to acquire Power of Attorney to sign for you.
- Helpful Information to Know: To fill out your form, you will need to provide your Minnesota Driver’s License or Identification number, your full name and address, and, if you are applying for a replacement, whether your original certificate was lost or stolen.
The appropriate fee. The fee required will depend on the duration required for your disabled parking permit. If you will require a permanent permit, there is no fee associated with your application in the state of Minnesota. A permanent permit will last for six years. However, if you only need the privileges temporarily (any amount of time less than one year), you will be asked to provide a service fee of $5.00.
If you are applying for a disability parking permit due to a medical condition pertaining to pregnancy, provide this information on the form, and request a Temporary permit which will last only through the expected completion of the pregnancy.

Submit the application

There are currently three ways to apply for a disability parking permit in MN.

Submit In Person. If you choose to submit in person, gather the materials detailed above and report to your nearest Motor Vehicle Registrar’s office.
Mail Your Application In. The back of your application has the address of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Fill an envelope containing all applicable materials and send it to that address, using appropriate postage.
Submit Online. If neither of these options sounds feasible to you, there is a simple and easy way to apply online. The whole process, from initial evaluation by a physician to submission of the completed form, can be taken care of from the comfort of your home via video chat and email, and all of your information will remain completely secure.

Properly Use Your Parking Permit

To fully enjoy the benefits of your official disabled parking permit, please remember to display the permit in the car whenever you plan on using a disabled parking space. Remember that in Minnesota, the permit is issued to you, not to a specific car — so you can take it with you, regardless of your specific ride.

The parking permit should be displayed on the rearview mirror of your car, and it very important that it is only displayed when the car is parked. Please remember to remove it when you are ready to leave your parking space, as having the permit dangling from the mirror while you are driving is both dangerous and against the law.

However, if the nature of your disability makes removing and replacing the permit unduly difficult, please place the permit on your dashboard instead of hanging it from your mirror for a more permanent option.

Know What You Can Do With Your Permit

A Minnesota Disability Parking permit enables a car that has the permit properly displayed to park in specifically designated parking places, usually marked with either a sign or with the wheelchair accessibility symbol painted on the ground. The car using the permit must be either used by the disabled person or used for the benefit of the disabled person.

As your disabled parking permit is intended to make your life a little easier, please don’t misuse it in any way to make other’s lives more difficult. Misuse of your permit may result in disciplinary action including revocation of your permit completely.

Renew Your Parking Permit

If you request a subsequent temporary, short-term, or long-term parking permit, please be aware that the disability you cited for application initially must be re-assessed by your physician. If approved, you will be issued another parking permit. Those applicants with permanent or six-year permits do not require the cooperation of a healthcare professional for renewal.

Parking Violations

Your parking permit only allows you to park in designated disabled parking spaces if you use it properly! Be aware that if you:

Do not display your parking permit properly
Use a permit that is not issued in your name
Block an access aisle (the area just next to a disabled parking space), or
Alter your parking permit in any way

You may be liable to disciplinary action, including the revocation of your parking permit.

A disability parking permit in MN can enable a person with a disability to navigate parking lots in a much more accessible way. The processes for obtaining, using, and renewing these permits in Minnesota are simple. Follow the above guide to ensure that you have everything that you need. Remember to use the permit once you have received it.

What Can You Do With a Disabled Parking Permit in Minnesota?

Obtaining a disabled parking permit in Minnesota can allow you to take care of errands and go about your everyday life with considerably more ease by using the specially designated parking areas set aside for your use. However, the specific privileges and responsibilities granted to you by your permit are only useful if you know about them!

Once you have properly applied for and received your permit from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, educate yourself about the following ways that you can properly exercise your rights and responsibilities so that you can maximize the potential of your certificate.

Know Your Type Of Permit

In Minnesota, there are four distinct types of disabled parking permits, differentiated by the length of time for which you expect to use them. The types of permits are as follows:

Temporary Certificate: Permits issued to those with disabilities expected to persist for one to six months
Short-Term Certificate: For disabilities persisting seven to twelve months
Long-Term Certificate: For disabilities persisting thirteen to seventy-one months
Permanent Certificate: For permanent disabilities. This certificate is valid for six years, after which time it can be renewed.

Chatting with your doctor, whether in-person or online, will help you to make an informed decision as to which permit is right for you. Make sure that you know which type of permit you have, and take the steps to renew it as necessary.

Display the Permit Properly

One important distinction that is very important to remember is that Minnesota Disabled Parking Permits are specific to the disabled person, and not to a designated car. Therefore, you should take your permit with you to display in whichever car you happen to be riding in.

As the permit hangs freely from the rear-view mirror in the front of your car, please remember that it is illegal and very dangerous for it to be dangling there while the vehicle is being operated. Remove it before you turn on your car, and replace it when the car is parked. Doing otherwise might put you in violation of Minnesota State Statute 169.71, so do your best to keep your windshield — and line of vision — clear.

Where You Can Park With a Disabled Parking Permit

If you have properly displayed your parking permit, you can park in the following places, under the following circumstances:

A disability parking space that is designated as such
In a metered parking space, as long as you do not obstruct another vehicle; your permit removes the obligation to pay the parking fee
For as long as you want, unless it is specifically otherwise posted.

Where You Cannot Park with a Disabled Parking Permit

While you can park in several otherwise restricted parking areas if you display a disabled parking permit, you cannot park just anywhere! Please be aware that the following parking spaces are still prohibited according to M.S. 169.345, regardless of your permit:

Parking spaces that are clearly labeled as designated no-parking areas
Parking spaces which have been set apart for a designated purpose
Parking spaces which fall under a local ordinance saving protected space for a Fire Lane
Areas that are indicated to remain clear during high-traffic hours to reduce congestion at peak times.

If you feel like there is a specific place which is unfairly set aside as inaccessible parking, please feel free to contact your jurisdiction regarding this prohibition. Please note that each of these scenarios is only open to you if you are using the vehicle displaying the permit either as the disabled person or to help a disabled person.

Your Parking Permit and Associated Responsibilities

It’s important to remember that your disabled parking permit is a privilege, and therefore it comes with certain responsibilities.

In some areas within Minnesota, there are established disabled parking spaces which are differentiated for cars of differing widths. If a larger space is marked Van Accessible and you are not driving a van, please consider parking elsewhere to allow larger vehicles to use that space.

The space immediately next to a disability parking space is called an access aisle — it’s usually marked on the ground with large diagonal lines across the area. If there are multiple disabled parking spaces next to each other, that access aisle is a shared space. Please be sure not to park in it, as you are inconveniencing others by doing so.

Replacing And Renewing Your Parking Permit

If you realize that you have lost or misplaced your parking permit, you will need to look into having it replaced before you can enjoy the privileges associated with that permit. Fortunately, in Minnesota, the process for replacing a permit is very simple: simply fill out the top section of the Application for Disability Parking Certificate (available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website).

For renewal applications in which you mislaid your parking permit, you may be asked to detail the methods you are implementing to ensure that you do not lose your permit again. The state of Minnesota asks this merely to help you ensure that you have to go through the process as few times as possible to enjoy the parking privileges you require.

Because of this, if you request four or more replacement parking permits within six years, the Minnesota Council on Disability will require more information regarding your maintenance of the parking permit.

If, however, your permit is missing because you were the victim of a theft, please obtain a police report documenting the theft from your local precinct and supply a copy along with your replacement application.

Having a disabled parking permit can make your life a lot easier. Even after you’ve obtained it, it’s very important that you follow the associated rules to make sure that you can keep it! Follow the guidelines listed above, and you can enjoy both the responsibilities and the privileges that come with your Minnesota disabled parking permit.

Who Qualifies for a Disabled Parking Permit in Minnesota?

To obtain a disabled parking permit in the state of Minnesota, you need to obtain the approval of a licensed physician. This is important so that the state can ensure that only persons who require the use of such a permit are benefitting from this opportunity. Fortunately, in Minnesota, the process for obtaining this approval can be a simple one.

One of the required submission materials in the application packet is the completed Application for Disability Parking Certificate — a form that is available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services website. The second part of this form has to be completed by a physician.

There are two ways to obtain physician approval — in-person, and online. Read on for specific instructions for each scenario to make sure that you’re covered no matter which method you choose.

Obtaining a Doctor’s Approval In-Person

If your disability allows you to go visit either your personal physician or a licensed doctor in your area, ensure that you have printed out the Application for Disability Parking Certificate and take it to your doctor’s office.

A medical professional will have to assess your disability to help you apply for your permit. The application form includes a section with a questionnaire to make it very clear what your medical professional will have to ask you.

Video Chatting with a Doctor Online

If your disability or circumstances make traveling difficult, there’s a simple alternative: Chat with a doctor online. New technology makes keeping your information private while obtaining a parking permit very quickly an easy process. If you’d rather avoid paper forms, trips, or physical mail, checking out the online option can make a frustrating experience an easy one.

Making Sure Your Documentation Makes Sense

Please note that when you are discussing your options with your doctor, there are three stipulations to keep in mind to ensure that your form can be easily processed:

Unfortunately, cognitive disabilities do not currently qualify an individual for a disabled parking permit in the state of Minnesota.
You and your doctor should be as specific as possible in documenting your condition. If the symptom is relatively vague (e.g., “Pain”), the issuing official may have to return your application to inquire for further detail.
If any information is left incomplete or blank, the issuing official will have to return the form as well. It’s therefore in your best interest to make sure that the form is filled out and as specific as possible to make sure that there are no delays in your issuing process.

Who Can Qualify for a Disabled Parking Permit?

To qualify for a disabled parking permit in the state of Minnesota, you will have to exhibit one of the following conditions as assessed by a medical professional:

A cardiac complication or condition which sufficiently limits the patient’s range of normal functionality. The American Heart Association defines this as a Class III or Class IV Heart Failure, characterized on their website as anything which results in a marked limitation of physical activity.
Any conditions which require you to use portable oxygen for your day to day health.
Any condition which results in your arterial oxygen tension being less than 60 mm/Hg at rest, on room air.
A respiratory disease which affects your respirations in such a way that your expiratory volume is less than one liter.
Any condition in which you have lost the use of any of your limbs if you are unable or choose not to use an artificial limb to compensate.
Any condition which requires to you use a device to assist your regular transport, including a wheelchair, the aid of a friend, a cane, a walker, crutches, braces, or any other prosthetic or assistive materials.
Any condition which might make walking two hundred feet difficult to a life-threatening degree under otherwise non-threatening conditions
Any condition which renders you incapable of walking two hundred feet without requiring a significant stop to catch your breath
Any condition which leaves you uncertain of whether you can walk two hundred feet without sustaining a major fall.

If you and your doctor are unable to answer these questions to a degree that satisfies the issuing department, you will either be contacted for clarifications or requested to provide a detailed medical history report.

When you are discussing your disability with your physician (whether in person before submitting your application or online with a qualified medical professional), they will help you determine which certificate — short-term, long-term, temporary, or permanent — will be right for you.

Your Parking Permit and Your Driver’s License

The application for your disabled parking permit requires you to specify whether you have a Minnesota Driver’s License or simply a government identification card. If you have a license, please note that in some circumstances the issuing official will examine your driving record.

If the nature of your disability brings the question of your driving safety and competence under question, you may be asked to re-test for your driver’s license as a part of your driving permit application process. The state of Minnesota does this only to ensure everyone’s safety.

Out of State Drivers

If you are visiting Minnesota on a long-term basis, you can apply for a Temporary permit utilizing the same procedures outlined above. This will enable you to use designated disability parking spaces in Minnesota for up to six months. If a longer time is required, please consider applying for a permit in your permanent state of residence.

After you have received your disabled parking permit from the state of Minnesota, you can park in many previously unavailable parking areas — but not all! Knowing what your parking permit enables you to do is just as important as obtaining the permit itself. Display your permit in your car whenever you plan to park in a protected area and follow all of the steps above to ensure that your permit is updated so that when you need it, it can work for you.

What are the Types of Disabled Parking in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, there are four types of disabled parking permits that can be issued, based on how long you will need disabled parking. If you have a condition, injury or medical condition that lasts more than three weeks, you may be eligible for disabled parking.

This decision is made by your Minnesota healthcare provider, not by the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles. If you feel you would benefit from a disabled parking permit, talk with your doctor or other healthcare providers about what is right for you.

Temporary Disabled Parking in MN

Disabled parking permits issued for a period between one and six months are classified as temporary by the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles. A temporary disabled parking permit placard may be issued to you if you experience an injury or illness which will last more than three weeks, but not more than six months. While there is no comprehensive list, here are some examples.

A broken or sprained leg, ankle or foot
An injury affecting the tendons or muscles of your legs, feet or ankles
A pregnancy that has been identified by an OBGYN as needing bed rest or limited activity
Pneumonia, bronchitis, or other severe but temporary respiratory illness

This temporary placard will cost you $5

Short Term Disabled Parking in MN

Disabled parking permits issued for a period between seven and twelve months are classified as short term by the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles. These short term disability placards are issued for injury, illness or conditions lasting more than seven months but not more than one year.

Many of the conditions listed in the temporary disabled parking section have the potential to take up to one year to heal. Every person is different, and healing times vary significantly. If your medical provider believes that you may need an excess of seven months to heal fully, you may be eligible for a short term disabled parking permit.

Ultimately, as every individual has different needs, your providers will work with you to determine what length of disabled parking coverage best suits your needs. Remember that this decision is not up to the Department of Motor Vehicles or the state of Minnesota. This is between you and your care team.

This short term placard will cost you $5

Long Term Disabled Parking in MN

Disabled parking permits issued for a period between one and six years are classified as long term disabled parking permits. Permits of this duration are less common than the other three. Most people experiencing a disability, injury or complication that affects their ability to walk more than 200 feet are either well again within a year, or permanently disabled.

Life, however, is full of grey areas and exceptions to every rule. If you are scheduled for a series of surgeries or have experienced a major broken bone such as a hip or spine injury, it is quite possible for you to make a full recovery, but be injured or limited in mobility for more than a year.

Once again, this choice is made by your medical providers, not by the state of Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles.

A long term disability placard is free, and a set of license plates may be purchased for $16.

Permanent Disabled Parking in MN

The most commonly issued form of disabled parking permits in the state of Minnesota is the permanent placard. As we age, our bodies naturally become less able to handle some activities of daily living. Many chronic conditions may grant you eligibility for a disabled parking permit in Minnesota.

While there is no complete list available, these are the guidelines used by your medical professionals to determine your needs.

Partial or total loss of limb or limb functionality
A serious cardiac condition (class III or IV) including heart attack or stroke
Inability to walk more than 200 feet without stopping or the risk of falling
Reliance on supplemental oxygen, or a severe breathing difficulty in motion or at rest
Reliance on or use of an ambulatory assistive device such as a cane, walker, brace or wheelchair
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and bronchitis

Be sure to talk openly and honestly with your medical providers to be sure of your eligibility. It is important that you seek a disabled parking permit if you are eligible, even if you feel you do not need it all the time. Icy or wet conditions, sudden changes in health, or even poorly paved parking lots can all affect your health and safety. This program was designed with your safety and comfort in mind, and your community was built to accommodate your needs. You deserve the comfort afforded by the disabled parking permit placard, and should not hesitate to seek one.

Permanent disability placards are free, and a set of license plates may be purchased for $16

Disabled Parking: What You Need to Know

If you feel you have difficulty walking safely and comfortably for more than 200 feet, you may be eligible for a Minnesota disabled parking permit. This permit allows you to park in the blue and white handicapped spaces available around your community. It also exempts you from parking meter payments at non-ADA compliant parking meters, and affords you additional time in parking spaces, up to a maximum of four hours.

Disabled parking permits are issued in person at the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles office or by U.S mail. Temporary and short term placards cost $5. Long term and permanent placards are free. A set of disabled parking permit license plates costs $16.

Your permit is valid in all 50 states and can be used in any vehicle you are traveling in, but may not be lent to any other person for any reason. when parking in a disabled parking space, you must display your disabled parking permit placard, or you may be subject to fines or have your disabled parking permit placard revoked.

How do You Get a Disabled Parking Permit in Minnesota?

Disabled parking permits are issued to disabled persons to grant them access to designated disabled parking spaces in their communities, as well as exempt them from parking meter payments at non-ADA compliant meters and to extend parking limits up to a maximum of four hours.

In the land of 10,000 lakes, disabled parking permit placards are issued on a temporary or permanent basis to individuals with a qualifying injury or disability. With a physician signed certificate stating the nature of your injury or disability, you must fill out the appropriate paperwork with the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles either in person or by mail.

Your disabled parking permit placard or license plate will then be sent to you, affording you free parking meter usage, extended parking times, and of course, the use of the familiar blue and white disabled parking spaces around town.

Navigating that process can be bewildering, so don’t go it alone. Here are the steps you need to take broken down into plain English, to get your disabled parking permit quickly and easily.

How do I Qualify for Disabled Parking in MN?

In Minnesota, disabled parking permits are issued on either a permanent or temporary basis. A permanent permit is issued for a chronic or lifelong condition affecting your movement. There is no master list of conditions that qualify, because every person is different, and has different needs. Your doctor is the one who can make that decision, not the Department of Motor Vehicles.

While there is no master list, there are some guidelines used by Minnesota care providers to determine eligibility. You will qualify if you suffer from one or more of the following.

Partial or total loss of limb or limb functionality
A serious cardiac condition (class III or IV) including heart attack or stroke
Inability to walk more than 200 feet without stopping or the risk of falling
Reliance on supplemental oxygen, or a severe breathing difficulty in motion or at rest
Reliance on or use of an ambulatory assistive device such as a cane, walker, brace or wheelchair
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and bronchitis

If one or more of these sound like you, you will almost definitely qualify for the use of a disabled parking permit. These permits ensure your safety and comfort as you navigate your community.

Of course, if you are injured or ill, you may benefit from a disabled parking permit on a temporary basis. Pneumonia, broken limbs, pregnancy and surgery are all common causes for a temporary disabled parking permit being approved. Talk to your doctor about your needs.

Temporary placards are issued for periods between one and six months
Short term placards are issued for periods between seven and twelve months
Long term placards are issued for periods between one and six years
If your disability is projected to affect you longer than six years, you are eligible for a permanent placard

How do I Get a Physician Signed Certificate

A signed certificate verifying your short term or chronic disability can be provided not only by your doctor but by most of your care team. Physician’s assistants and registered nurses may also sign the document. Next time you have a regularly scheduled visit to your primary care physician, ask about disabled parking permits and if a permit may be right for you.

Also, if you receive treatment from a specialist for your condition, that provider may sign the certificate. Podiatrists, optometrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and chiropractors are all able to verify your chronic or short term disabled parking permit eligibility.

If you are not seeing a provider at this time, or don’t want to make a special appointment, there are many qualified Minnesota providers available online who can verify your disabled parking permit eligibility from the comfort of your home.

How do I File the Paperwork?

Once you have obtained your physician signed certificate verifying your disabled parking permit eligibility, you are ready to file with the Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles. Form PS2005 is used for placard applications, and form PS2010 is for disabled parking permit license plates.

Temporary disabled parking permit placards and short term disabled parking permit placards are $5. Long term disabled parking permit placards and permanent disabled parking permit placards are free. Disabled parking permit license plates are $16 for two or $14.50 for one.

These forms can be completed in person at a local Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles office, or by U.S mail.

What do I Need to Know?

Minnesota disabled parking permits are issued for those with a disability or illness restricting their ability to walk more than 200 feet. Eligibility is decided by a Minnesota medical provider.

Depending on your needs, disabled parking permits may be issued for periods between one and six months (temporary), six and twelve months (short-term), one and six years (long term) or permanent.

Paperwork may be filed in person at any Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles office, or by U.S mail.

A disabled parking permit entitles the holder to park in designated handicapped spots. A disabled parking permit exempts the holder from parking meter fines (unless the parking meter is marked as ADA compliant) and extends the allotted parking time in parking spaces by two hours, to a maximum of four hours.

If you feel that you suffer from a condition or illness that is restricting your ability to walk safely and comfortably, talk to your medical provider about disabled parking permits. If you feel you need one, your doctor will most likely agree with you.

Remember that the disabled parking permit program was created with your comfort and safety in mind. Forcing yourself to walk farther, and to exit your vehicle without the extra space provided by the handicap space is dangerous for you if you suffer from walking difficulties.

Talk openly and honestly with your provider about what you feel and what you need, to ensure you are cared for in your community.