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Nebraska, like most states, issues red placards for temporary permits and blue placards for permanent permits. If you are eligible for a disabled parking permit placard because of a temporary injury or mobility hindrance, your red placard is good for six months, after which you will need a new physician’s signed certificate.

If you suffer from a chronic or permanent condition, the blue placard issued to you grants you lifelong disabled parking, though it must be renewed online every five years.

These disabled parking permit placards are for use in your vehicle or the vehicle you are traveling in, to allow you to park in the familiar blue and white handicapped parking spaces provided around town.

Once you obtain your physician signed certificate and complete your application online with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, your placard will come in the mail.

When Can I Use My Disabled Parking Permit?

A common misconception about the disabled parking permit program in Nebraska is that it only covers drivers. If you suffer from a disability or chronic condition affecting your balance, respiration, vision or ability to walk, you can use your disabled parking placard in any car you travel in, as a passenger. Even when you don’t drive, if you travel by car, your comfort and safety can be affected positively by access to handicap parking.

In wet or icy conditions, the disabled parking spots which allow you to park closer to the door can be a huge help. Think of all the places you go, the bank, grocery store, post office, mall, all of them have disabled parking permits for you to use. Even if you do not drive, you owe it to yourself to apply for a disabled parking permit placard to keep yourself safe when friends or family drive you places.

If you are carrying with you a wheelchair, walker, or other assistive device, that extra loading space provided by a disabled parking space is essential! Ambulatory assistive devices should be used from the moment you exit your seat. Even the short journey away from a traditional parking space could cause a fall.

Your NE disabled parking permit is also valid in other U.S states if you are traveling, but make sure to follow local laws regarding parking. It is never okay to block a fire lane or park along a yellow marked curb. Aside from those universal rules, all 50 U.S states have had handicapped parking programs since 1955. Wherever you go, you can reasonably expect to be accommodated.

What Are My Responsibilities When Using Disabled Parking?

Disabled parking permit placards, the tags that hang from the rearview mirror, are considered an obstruction of view by the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Department. Make sure you don’t hang your placard until you have parked, or you could receive a ticket for obstructing your view. Annoying as it may be, this law is for your safety. Consider leaving your placard on your dashboard, where it is still visible to parking enforcement, but will not obstruct your view.

You must have a placard visible any time you make use of a disabled parking space. Unless of course, you have a disabled parking permit license plate, in which case you are always covered. Even if you have a valid disabled parking permit issued to you, if it is not displayed when you park, you could be fined, or have your disabled parking permit revoked!

While the license plate is a great way to make sure you never forget to display your disabled parking permit placard, remember that when you travel in someone else’s car, you will need your placard to make use of those blue and white spaces. Remember to keep the placard with you in your purse or coat pocket.

If you witness a violation of these rules, you should report it immediately to your local law enforcement. Misuse of the disabled parking program is not just rude, it is dangerous to those who need those spots for their safety and comfort. If someone parks in a disabled parking space without displaying their disabled parking permit placard or license plate, call your local authorities with the time, location, and license plate number as soon as possible.

While you should never tolerate misuse or abuse of the disabled parking program, make sure you are not falsely accusing someone. If they are displaying a disabled parking placard, chances are, they are legitimately in need of it. Many people who make use of disabled parking permits do not look disabled, but may still need it for a condition or injury that you cannot see.

They could also be picking up a loved one or friend who is inside the building and needs access to the disabled parking space. For the most part, if you see a placard, do not accuse and do not assume. But if you do not see a placard, report it right away, because it is likely a violation. Violations cause harm to disabled persons when they take up the spots needed by those with disabilities.

Five Facts About Disabled Parking in Nebraska

Disabled Parking placards are for drivers or passengers
Temporary six-month placards are red and permanent placards are blue
NE parking placards are valid in all 50 states
Placards should not be hung while driving and must be displayed while parked
Failure to display a placard or misuse of a disabled parking space should be reported immediately to law enforcement

Make sure you are adhering to these rules when using your disabled parking permit placard. If you or a loved one suffers from a condition affecting their ability to walk more than 200 feet in safety and comfort, they may be eligible. Talk to your provider about obtaining a disabled parking permit to keep yourself safe and comfortable. Remember that the program was designed for you, and even if you don’t feel that you need “special treatment”, you owe it to yourself to be safe and cared for in your community.

If you have experienced a major medical event resulting in a permanent or temporary loss of mobility, you may be eligible for a disabled parking permit in the great state of Nebraska.

This could be a chronic condition affecting your balance, vision, respiration, or ability to walk. This could be a challenging pregnancy which is affecting your walking speeds, or where you have been ordered bed rest by your OBGYN. This could be pain from a surgery, procedure, or brought on by obesity.

If you suffer from any of those conditions or circumstances, you may be entitled to a disabled parking permit under Nebraska state law. Depending on the nature of the condition and how long it is expected to last, you could be issued either a temporary or a permanent disabled parking permit placard, which can be used any time you travel.

Because the program was designed with your comfort and safety in mind, you may use your placard when you drive or when you are a passenger, ensuring you can use handicap spots anywhere you go. Check with your Nebraska provider to see if a disabled parking permit could help keep you safe and comfortable in your daily life.

Does My Injury Entitle Me to NE Disabled Parking?

The rules laid down by the Department of Motor Vehicles in Nebraska regarding disabled parking are expansive and straightforward. If you have had an accident or are experiencing a temporary medical condition which hinders your mobility, you may be eligible for a temporary disabled parking permit placard. The guideline for issuing temporary disabled parking permits is that the patient will be injured for more than three weeks. If your projected healing time is more than three weeks, you should ask your provider about a temporary placard.

Common conditions resulting in a disabled parking permit being granted are as follows.

Broken bones, sprains or tendon problems
Pneumonia, bronchitis, or severe respiratory issues
Surgery or invasive procedures with a healing time of more than three weeks
Pregnancy or postpartum pain
Severe vision impairment including cataracts
Illness affecting balance

There is no master list of conditions or injuries that entitles you to a disabled parking permit. Talk to your provider about what you are experiencing and why you feel you need a permit.

If you are experiencing pain or difficulty when walking more than 200 feet relating to an injury or condition, you owe it to yourself to seek a disabled parking permit. The many handicap spaces in communities all over Nebraska are there for your comfort and your safety. Particularly in snowy weather, mobility issues, even slight ones, can be very dangerous for you.

Does Obesity Qualify as a Disability?

Like many states, the state of Nebraska often issues disabled parking permits for obesity. If your obesity inhibits your ability to walk or causes difficulty breathing, you may be eligible for a disabled parking permit placard. You must stay safe and comfortable in your community, and disabled parking spaces in and around town are there for you.

Obesity can be not only painful, but can make walking a challenge, and can affect balance and speed when crossing streets. In icy or wet conditions, parking lots can be very dangerous for those of you experiencing balance issues.

If you feel your mobility is limited by your obesity, be sure to ask your provider about a disabled parking permit placard, to ensure your comfort and safety.

Does My Chronic Condition Qualify for Nebraska Disabled Parking?

The Cornhusker state is intentionally open-ended about the guidelines for issuing disabled parking permits. This decision is up to your provider, not the Department of Motor Vehicles. That said, there are some major guidelines recognized by providers across the state of Nebraska. An impairment in any of the following categories is generally indicative of eligibility.

Ability to walk including speed, pain level, and gait
Vision impairment
Balance or the need for an ambulatory device such as a walker, cane or brace
Breathing difficulty brought on by exercise or the need for supplemental oxygen

If you feel that your comfort or safety is affected by your physical condition, or that you would benefit from a disabled parking permit, there is a good chance your provider will agree with you. The following are some common conditions that qualify for a disabled parking permit placard in the state of Nebraska.

Partial or total loss of a limb
Seizures, dizziness, loss of balance, muscle spasms or sudden loss of muscle tone
Blurry vision, partial or total blindness
Use of or reliance on ambulation devices such as a walker, wheelchair, brace or cane
Emphysema, Bronchitis, COPD, or reliance on a supplemental oxygen tank
Stroke, heart attack, pacemaker, or other major cardiac condition
Pain or difficulty when walking more than 200 feet

If one of these describes your physical condition, or you feel that you would benefit from a disabled parking permit, chances are, your provider will agree with you. Talk openly and honestly with your provider about what you are feeling, what your difficulties are, and what your needs may be. Disabled parking permits exist to ensure the safety, comfort, and happiness of Nebraska residents.

Handicap Parking in Nebraska

Nebraska state parking permit regulations are open-ended and all-inclusive. If you are experiencing temporary impairment or have a chronic condition, you may be eligible for a disabled parking permit placard in the state of Nebraska. Most medical providers, including your primary care team and specialists who treat you for chronic conditions, can provide the documentation you need.

The Nebraska Motor Vehicle Department accepts physician signed certificate online and sends your disabled parking permit placards and license plates through the U.S mail, right to your door. Temporary placards are valid for six months, after which you will need to have a new examination and apply again. Permanent placards are just that, permanent, but must be renewed online every five years. Placards are always free, but the license plates will cost you the same as any other license plate renewal.

Your placard is for use in your vehicle, or the vehicle of a loved one if you are driving or are a passenger at the time of use. Failure to display the placard while parking could result in a fine, and your placard being revoked.

If you experience difficulty walking for any reason, you should consider getting yourself a disabled parking permit. These permits are to safeguard you and keep you comfortable. Ask your Nebraska provider today.

In the state of Nebraska, all disabled parking permit placards and license plates are issued by mail from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

After obtaining a physician signed certificate verifying your eligibility, you must apply on the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicle website. Once your paperwork is accepted and all associated fees have been paid, your disabled parking permit placard or license plate will be sent to your home by U.S mail.

Before you start your paperwork online, make sure of your eligibility and obtain your physician signed paperwork.

Am I Qualified for Disabled Parking?

The Nebraska guidelines for issuance of disabled parking permits are intentionally left open-ended. There are lots of conditions, both temporary and chronic which can be considered when applying for a disabled parking permit.

If you are looking for a temporary permit, you may be eligible if you are suffering from an injury or illness which affects your ability to walk, breathe, see or balance. To be considered, your injury or illness must last more than three weeks. If granted, your disabled parking permit will last six months, after which you will need to have a new exam, should you still need your disabled parking permit.

Injuries to the feet and legs are often the cause, but there are many other reasons a temporary placard may be issued. Surgery, broken bones, vision changes, pneumonia, pregnancy, and other illness can call for a disabled parking permit. If your doctor has ordered bed rest or you are experiencing limited mobility, ask your doctor about a disabled parking permit placard.

If you suffer from a chronic or lifelong condition, you can be issued a permanent permit. The conditions that could qualify you for a permanent permit vary greatly. Anything from Parkinson’s disease to obesity could qualify you for a disabled parking permit placard. As a general rule, if you feel you need a disabled parking permit placard, you probably do. Speak openly and honestly with your medical provider about how you are feeling and what your needs are.

While there is no exhaustive list of conditions associated with disabled parking permit eligibility, here are some of the guidelines used by Nebraska providers.

Difficulty or pain when walking more than 200 feet
Conditions negatively affecting balance or vision
Muscle spasms, seizures or sudden and uncontrolled loss of muscle tone
Reliance on an ambulatory assistive device such as a wheelchair, walker, brace or cane
Respiratory conditions made worse by exercise, or reliance on supplemental oxygen
A class III or IV cardiac condition including but not limited to heart attack and stroke

Once again, this is not an exhaustive list by any means. There are lots of reasons one might qualify for a disabled parking permit in Nebraska. Make sure to talk with your provider about what you need to be safe and healthy in your community.

How to Get a Physician Signed Certificate

A physician signed certificate is a misleading term. Lots of kinds of medical providers can sign this form for you to verify your disability, including physicians assistants and registered nurses. If you see a primary care provider, you know their office operates as a team, and most of the members of your care team can sign these forms for you.

If you have received treatment for an accident or illness, the medical provider you saw should be able to sign your forms for a temporary placard, good for six months.

If you receive treatment from a specialist for a chronic or lifelong condition, they can also verify your disability and sign this certificate for you. This could be the optometrists you see for your cataracts or the surgeon who worked on your heart. Any specialist who sees you regarding a disabling condition should be able to verify that condition. A podiatrist, chiropractor or physical therapist who is familiar with you and your condition can sign the certificate for you.

If you are not seeing a specialist or primary care provider at this time, don’t worry. There are many qualified and excellent providers available in the state of Nebraska online. By partnering with a Nebraska online provider, you can verify your disability and receive your physician signed certificate from the comfort of your home.

What About Lost or Expired Permits?

If you lose your disabled parking permit placard, never fear. By filling out the lost or stolen form on the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles website, you can be re-issued your placard. Reissued placards are mailed free to your home, the first two times. The third time you need a re-issued disabled parking permit placard, you may have to pay a fee or start your application over.

Disabled Parking Permits: What You Need to Know

Navigating the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicle website can be confusing. Once you have successfully obtained your disabled parking permit placard, there are a few things to remember.

Never drive with your disabled parking permit placard hanging from your rearview mirror, because it is an obstruction of view according to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Always display your disabled parking permit placard while parked in a disabled parking space. Failure to do so may result in a fine, or your disabled parking permit being revoked.
Report misuse or abuse of disabled parking spaces to your local law enforcement. If you witness a car parked in a disabled space without a disabled parking permit placard, it is a violation and should be reported. Remember, you are not reporting this violation to get the driver in trouble, but to keep your community safe for the disabled persons who need that space.
Your disabled parking permit placard is valid in all 50 states. Remember that all parking and traffic laws still apply. Make sure to bring your disabled parking permit placard with you whenever you travel.
Your temporary placard is valid for six months, and your permanent placard must be renewed every five years.

Every state is a little different in its license regulations and requirements. In Nebraska, applying for and acquiring your disabled parking permit is a quick and easy three-step process.

Obtain a Physician Signed Certificate
Apply online through the Department of Motor Vehicles website
Show valid driver’s license, state identification or passport

Three easy steps, and your disabled parking permit placard or license plate is in the mail. This deceptively simple system lacks the essential human element of the in-person trip to the DMV that most of us are used to.

Before you start on the application found deep in the maze of a website offered by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, make sure you understand how to qualify and how to obtain your physician signed certificate.

Who is Qualified for Nebraska Disabled Parking?

There is no exhaustive list of conditions that entitle you to disabled parking permits in the Cornhusker State. Nebraska has left this process intentionally open-ended, trusting that Nebraska providers should be the ones to make this important decision on eligibility.

The basic guidelines for eligibility are below.

Loss of a limb, including the use of a prosthesis
Use of an ambulatory assistive device such as a walker, wheelchair, cane, or brace
Condition causing muscle spasms, seizures or sudden loss of muscle tone
Difficulty walking more than 200 feet without stopping
Vision impairment including partial blindness, cataracts or glaucoma
A chronic cardiac condition limiting ability to exercise
A Chronic respiratory disease such as COPD

These are the guidelines used by medical providers to decide if a patient needs or would benefit from the use of disabled parking. Disabled parking permit programs in Nebraska are expansive and inclusive. If you feel you need a disabled parking permit to safely and comfortably access buildings in your community, there is a good chance you qualify.

Common conditions that are disabled parking eligible in NE are as follows.

Heart attack, stroke, or other class III and IV cardiac disease
Obesity which limits mobility
Emphysema, bronchitis or walking pneumonia
Muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or other muscle and seizure conditions
Gout, club foot, and other conditions which limit mobility
Prosthetics, amputation, use of a brace or other assistive device

If you have been injured, and are having trouble walking quickly without pain, you could qualify for a temporary disabled parking permit. Back pain, surgery, pregnancy, leg injuries, and pneumonia are all common causes for a six-month temporary placard being issued by a provider.

As a general rule, if you think you need a disabled parking permit, you probably do. Talk to your doctor about your needs, including your pain level, energy level, vision challenges, difficulty walking or slow walking speed. Nebraska restrictions are surprisingly open-ended and ultimately designed with you in mind.

The program was designed to keep Nebraska residents safe and comfortable as they go about their daily lives. All over Nebraska, in every community, there are disabled parking spots set aside in shopping malls, banks, grocery stores, libraries, etc. Especially when conditions turn icy, those with difficulty walking safely need the wider space and closer parking spots afforded by disabled parking permits.

How Can I Get a Physician Signed Certificate?

In Nebraska, the certificate the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires can be signed by a variety of providers, not just your primary care doctor. Physician’s assistants and registered nurses can also sign to verify your disability.

Besides your regular care providers, specialists who treat specific injuries or disabilities can sign these documents. Optometrists, podiatrists, chiropractors, and physical therapists are all able to verify that the conditions you see them for are disabilities.

If you regularly see a specialist regarding any chronic condition, they are most likely able to provide you with a signed certificate. Talk to your provider about disabled parking permits.

Of course, you don’t have to make an in-person appointment for these papers. You can easily obtain a signed certificate from a virtual examination with one of the many qualified Nebraska providers available through online practices. This is the fastest and most convenient way to obtain your physicians signed certificate.

What Should I Know About Disabled Parking Permits in NE

Once you have established eligibility and sent in your paperwork on the DMV website, your placard or license plate will arrive in the mail. Temporary placards and permanent placards are always free, and the license plate comes with the standard license and registration fees associated with renewing your license plate.

Temporary placards are good for six months, after which you will be required to obtain another physician signed certificate to renew your disabled parking. Permanent placards are just that, permanent, but must be renewed every five years.

If your disabled parking placard is lost or stolen, it will be replaced for free up to two times without needing to obtain a new physician’s signed certificate. If you lose it a third time, however, there may be associated fees, and you will need to make another appointment with your provider.

Once you obtain your placard, it must be displayed in your rearview mirror or on your dashboard whenever you wish to park in a designated handicap spot. Failure to display a placard will result in a fine. Placards may not remain on the rearview mirror while driving, as they are an obstruction per Nebraska law.

Your disabled parking permit can be used as a passenger or as a driver. Your disabled parking permit was issued with your comfort and safety in mind. If you are traveling with a friend or loved one, either in their car or your own, you can use your disabled parking permit to ensure you are given the preferential treatment you are entitled to. You may not, under any circumstances, lend your placard to another person. It is for you and only you to use. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in both a fine and a loss of your disabled parking permit.

When you live every day with a disability, it’s nice to be able to get to amenities and buildings in your city safely and efficiently. If you live in Nebraska, you can apply for a disability placard or license plate that allows you to park in a handicap space. This keeps you from having to walk far to get to the front door and take advantage of other features that make it easier for you to get around in your city. If you live in Nebraska, here are some important things you need to know to obtain your handicap parking permit.

Qualifications and Fees

In Nebraska, you don’t have to pay a fee for your permit. Your disability must qualify in order to get a placard. If you have a cardiac condition that falls into the Class 3 or Class 4 category according to the American Heart Association, you can receive a disability placard. If you aren’t able to use one or more limbs or have lost one or more limbs, the state of Nebraska will issue you a handicap parking permit. You can also get a placard if you have severe breathing issues including but not limited to lung disease. If your vision is severely impaired or your are legally blind, you’re eligible for a disabled permit. It’s also a good idea to apply for a permit if you use a walker, cane or wheelchair, or if you’re not able to walk without someone assisting you.

How Are the Placards Used?

Nebraska residents can use handicapped parking permits when you visit facilities like schools, hospitals, retirement homes and other places of business that transport and accommodate disabled individuals. Permits can also be assigned to vehicles that are registered and titled to these facilities. The placards allow the employees of these establishments to transport individuals with disabilities.

How Many Permits Will You Receive?

Disabled Nebraska residents are entitled to two permits each. Handicapped persons can also receive disabled license plates for their vehicles. When you apply for your placards, be sure to indicate whether or not you also need license plates.

How to Use Your Handicap Parking Permit Correctly

Your parking permit is non-transferable and you can’t alter or copy the placard. You are the only one who is permitted to use the placard. If your friends or family use your permit, you must be in the vehicle in order to use a handicap parking space. The placard should only be used when a disabled person is entering or existing a car or truck when the vehicle is parked in a handicapped parking space.

The state will only issue one permit or plate per vehicle. You have to use the placard that is assigned to your vehicle. Remember to keep the receipt that you received with the permit so you can show proof of your permit’s validity.

Your handicap permit needs to be hooked to the rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked in a disabled parking area. Don’t forget to take the placard down then the vehicle is in motion. If you don’t have a rearview mirror, the permit should be on the dashboard of the vehicle.

Temporary and Permanent Handicap Permits

In Nebraska, permanent disability permits are blue and indicate that you have a long-standing medical condition. You’ll need to renew your permit every six years. Permanent permits expire on the last day of the permit holder’s birthday month.

Temporary handicap permits are red and are effective for three to six months. The time the placard is valid depends on the nature of the temporary condition. If the time period for having a placard has passed and you still need a permit, you can renew it once for an additional three or six months. If you still have the disability after the second renewal, you’ll be eligible to apply for a permanent disability permit.

Handicap License Plates

If you have a permanent condition that impairs your mobility, you can also apply for a disability license plate in Nebraska. If you have a prosthetic limb, suffer from severe respiratory conditions or have other visual and physical impairments that affect your ability to get around every day, you can apply through the state DMV for a license plate. You can also receive Nebraska handicap plates, you must be the vehicle owner. Or, you can apply on behalf of your child, parents or beneficiary of trust to get a license plate, especially if you’ll be transportation for your disabled loved one most of the time.

Submitting Your Plate and Permit Application

You can find the forms you need at the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles or download the form online. Once you have the document, you should fill out the necessary information. You’ll also have to take the form to your doctor to fill out the Medical Certification section. Your signature and your physician’s signature must be on the application. When your application is approved, the DMV will send a letter letting you know when you can pick up your license plate from the County Treasurer’s office. Be sure to bring the letter with you to the county official to receive your plates.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay all necessary taxes and fees when you receive your new license plates. Unless you’re a disabled veteran, you’ll have to pay a motor vehicle tax before receiving your tags.

If you need to get a permanent disability placard at the same time as your disabled license plates and you don’t have a current permit, you can get a placard by checking the box on the Application for Handicapped License Plates under your signature.

Handicap Parking Abuse

When people park in a handicap parking area without using a permit or placard, they may be subject to a fine in Nebraska. You can avoid this by making sure your permit is properly displayed when your vehicle is parked. If you see anyone abusing disabled parking, tell the nearest law enforcement or business owners to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

What do I Need to Know About NE Disabled Parking?