How to Get Your Disabled Parking Permit in South Carolina

If you live in South Carolina and you are currently experiencing a debilitating condition which adversely affects your ability to walk safely and efficiently, then you may be able to qualify for a disabled parking permit.

A disabled parking permit is a certificate which enables you to receive a parking placard or license plates. These specially designated materials enable your car to park in specially set aside parking spaces which are much closer to the entrances of most businesses and buildings. If this sounds like an accommodation which would make your life easier, read on for a complete guide on how to receive one!

Make Sure You Qualify

As the number of convenient parking spaces this close to the entrance is necessarily limited, the state of South Carolina has a vested interest in making sure that the only people who are able to use these parking spaces are the people who most need to use these parking spaces. The state has therefore put together a list of qualifying conditions in order to help make it clear who should be applying for disabled permits.

When you put together your application materials, one of the steps you will have to take is meeting with a licensed doctor or other medical professional in order to make sure that you condition is confirmed and approved.

Talk to a Licensed Medical Professional

There are currently two main ways of talking to a licensed medical professional.

  • In Person. If your condition makes it possible for you to go speak with a personal physician, please download the application form from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website. The second part of this form must be completed and signed by your doctor. He or she will go through the list of qualifying conditions with you to ensure that you qualify.
  • Video Chatting Online. However, if due to your life circumstances you find it impossible to go visit a local doctor, there is another option. If you video chat with a licensed medical professional online, not only can you complete this task from the comfort of your living room, but your application form will be emailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles immediately after your call.

Whichever route you choose, make sure that your doctor prints and signs the form, as well as providing their contact information and professional license number just in case any follow up is required.

Fill Out the Form

The first two parts of the application form are for you to fill out. Once you’ve downloaded and printed out the form, take a few minutes to make sure that you have completed every field in your personal and vehicle sections.

Please note that if you submit your application with any section only partially filled, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will simply return the form to you, and you will have to begin again. It is therefore in your best interest that you take the time to complete every portion of the form.

Specific information that you will need to have on hand to do this includes:

  • Your full name, address, date of birth and phone number
  • If it differs from your home address, your mailing address
  • Your social security number, your email, and your printed name and signature.

Submit Your Form to the Department of Motor Vehicles

There are two ways to submit your application form:

  • Mail Your Form In: If you spoke with a local medical professional in person, then you will have to physically mail your form in. The address to which you should mail your form is listed on the back of the official application form.
  • Have Your Form Emailed For You: If you decided to video chat with a licensed medical professional in order to get your condition approved for your application packet, this step will be taken care of for you! in a confidential manner which keeps all of your information completely secure, your application form will be emailed to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles for you.

Please note as well that for parking placards, there is a one dollar fee required by the state.

Wait For Your Permit to Arrive

Before you begin parking in the spots specifically set aside for those with disabilities, you will need to wait for your form to arrive in the mail. Unfortunately, merely going through the application process does not qualify you to use these accommodations.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles makes every effort to review each application as soon as is possible, but you should note that it may take up to a few business weeks for them to do so. It is recommended that you leave about a month of buffer time in your plans for this permit to arrive.

Safely Use Your Disabled Parking Permit

Please remember that your parking permit will come with (unless otherwise requested) a parking placard which will legally enable you to park in disabled parking spots. While it may seem convenient to leave your parking placard posted at all times, please do not do so.

It is illegal to have your parking placard dangling in the front of your vehicle at any time when the vehicle is in motion.

A South Carolina disabled parking permit is a fantastic tool that you can use to make your day to day life considerably easier. For example, you can plan to run your errands without having to worry about being forced to walk further than your body can comfortably do so.

The application process for a South Carolina disabled parking permit is necessarily a little complex, as the state needs to ensure that only those who need this tool can use it. You will need to speak with a medical professional, you will need to provide a small fee for the service, and you will need to make sure that your form is completely filled out.

Remember to use your parking placards properly to enjoy the rights that come with your disabled parking permit!

How to Use Your Disabled Parking Permit in South Carolina

The state of South Carolina cares about each of its citizens and wishes to ensure that everyone has the ability to go about their daily life in a productive and comfortable way. This care extends to the disabled citizens of the state! South Carolina has therefore set aside and protected several accommodations for the disabled which, if you are experiencing a disability, you may be able to access.

If you have applied for and received a disabled parking permit, then you have a right to the associated privileges. However, those rights and privileges come with responsibilities! Read on for a detailed guide to the rules of the road regarding your South Carolina disabled parking permit.

When to Use Your Parking Placards

When you received your disabled parking permit in the mail, you should have also received a parking placard, which is a stiff piece of brightly colored material meant to mark your vehicle as one approved for disabled parking.

Please hang this parking placard on the rear-view window in the front of your vehicle in order to park in these spots. However, there is one very important rule that you must follow in order to ensure that you are not liable for disciplinary measures.

It is very dangerous and highly illegal for there to be a large dangling object in your field of vision while you are driving. Therefore, please make a habit of hanging this placard up only after you have parked in your vehicle, and take the placard down before you begin to drive away.

Who Can Use Your Parking Placards

In the state of South Carolina, the disabled parking permit is registered to the person — i.e., you — and not to a specific vehicle, as license plates are. This means that you can take your placards from vehicle to vehicle, utilizing them in any car in which you happen to be travelling.

As your condition may necessarily impede your ability to safely drive a car, it is important to note that anyone can drive and park a car using your permit. However, you must also be riding in the vehicle. If another person is caught using your placards without you also being present, you may be liable for disciplinary measures up to and including revocation of your permit and associated materials.

If you are married or otherwise living or sharing a car with another person with disabilities, please note that sharing a parking placard is still expressly prohibited. Each person who qualifies for usage of disabled parking spaces should apply for, receive, and use their own.

Know Which Type of Disabled Parking Permit You Have

In the state of South Carolina, there are two different types of disabled parking permits.

  • Temporary. Temporary disabled parking permits should be used if your condition is one which is not expected to last for more than one year. A temporary permit is issued for conditions lasting more than four months and less than twelve months.
  • Permanent. Permanent disabled parking permits should be used for any condition lasting more than one year. However, they are only in affect for four years, after which date they will need to be renewed and your condition re-approved.

If you are applying for a disabled parking permit for conditions relating to pregnancy, please apply for a temporary permit and note your due date as the preferred date of expiration.

How to Renew Your Disabled Parking Permit

Whether you have a temporary or a permanent disabled parking permit, it will expire; at the very least, once every four years. The state of South Carolina recommends that you begin the renewal process at least one month before the noted expiration date, as it will take the Department of Motor Vehicles at least a few business days to review your renewal application.

The process for renewing your permit (and receiving updated placards) is exactly the same as the first time you applied. Please navigate to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website and download the application form. When you fill it out, note that you are requesting a renewal, and note your prior placard or permit identification number.

If there is a period of time in between when your old permit expires and when your new one takes effect, do not park in a disabled parking space during this time. If you are caught parking in such a space without legal certification, your parking permit may be taken away from you.

What to Do if Your Placards are Lost or Stolen

If you have misplaced your parking placards, simply follow the same procedures for renewing your disabled parking permit. However, instead of noting in the top section of the form that you are applying for the first time or renewing your permit, check the box that indicates you are requesting a replacement and provide as much information as you can regarding your previous placard.

If you believe that your placards were stolen, please contact the police and file a report. Please attach a copy of this report along with your completed application form.

In any case, please make sure that you wait until you receive your replacement materials in the mail before you begin to park in disabled parking spaces again.

The state of South Carolina wants to ensure that all of its citizens, including its citizens who are suffering from mobility-related disabilities, are able to park in such a way that they are able to enjoy their day to day lives with comfort and ease. However, as there are a limited number of accommodations that can be made, it is crucial that only those who need the service use it, and those who do use the service use it well.

Make sure that you remember to use your parking placards when parking in reserved spaces, and that you remove the placard before you drive away again! Remember to renew your placards as needed to enjoy the privileges associated with your permit.

What You Didn’t Know About Your South Carolina Disabled Parking Permit

A disabled parking permit is a certificate which can enable you to live a better life. If you have a condition which severely impairs your ability to walk easily, you may be eligible for a South Carolina disabled placard or license plate. This will enable you to park in protected parking spaces which are much closer to the entrances of most businesses and buildings.

However, there are a lot of details and steps in the application process, as well as many rights and responsibilities associated with your permit! To make your life a little easier, here is a guide to getting the most out of your disabled parking permit without breaking any rules which may leave you liable to disciplinary action.

The Difference Between Placards, Plates, and Permits

There are a few different terms which are tossed around when you are applying for a disabled parking permit. Here’s what each of them mean:

  • Your Disabled Parking Permit. Your permit is a piece of paper — a certificate — which will arrive in the mail after the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has processed and approved your application. This permit will allow you to receive placards or plates, at your discretion, which will allow you to park in protected spaces.
  • Your Disabled Parking Placards. Your placards are large, stiff, brightly colored, easily seen pieces of pasteboard which are to be hung from your rear view window in the front of your car. Please hang this up when you have already parked, and take it down before you start your car to drive away. Doing otherwise is highly dangerous, and very illegal. In South Carolina, these come with a placard registration certificate that must be in the car that is using the parking placard.
  • Your Disabled (or Veteran) Parking License Plate. Instead of placards, you can opt to receive license plates instead of parking placards. Your license plates will be permanently affixed to the front and / or back of your car, and will mark your car as legally allowed to park in disabled parking places.

Each of these options may come with additional fees.

The Fees Associated with Placards, Plates, and Permits

Below, find a breakdown of the fees requested by the state when you apply for a disabled parking permit.

  • Parking Permit: In order to receive a disabled parking permit, please include one dollar in your application packet.
  • Parking Placards: If you have paid the nominal fee for a disabled parking permit, one parking placard comes at no cost. There is an additional cost netted for any additional placards requested, up to two per application.
  • License Plates: If you are requesting a motorcycle license plate, the cost will be ten dollars. If you are requesting a regular vehicle license plate, the cost will be thirty six dollars.

Please note that mailing stacks of cash is unsafe. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will not accept cash. Please mail only checks made out to the SCDMV.

Your Disabled Parking Permit and Travelling Out of State

If you have a South Carolina disabled parking permit, as long as it is not expired and the proper documentation is all assembled, you can use it to park in any disabled parking space, even outside of the confines of South Carolina. Please remember to use it, or you will be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including revocation of your permit, if you are caught parking in a disabled space without posting your placard.

Similarly, if you have a disabled parking permit in another state and wish to travel to South Carolina, please bring your placards and documentation with you! You can use the placards from your home state to park anywhere there is a designated handicap space.

How to Recognize Designated Disabled Parking Spaces

In South Carolina, disabled parking spaces can be designated in one of two ways: by either a freestanding sign at the head of the parking space (approximately five to seven feet off the ground), or by paint on the ground. Either way, the International Sign of Access (the wheelchair symbol) will be utilized.

Your Disabled Parking Permit and Access Aisles

Wherever there are more than two disabled parking spaces in a similar location, there will be access aisles in between and surrounding them. They will be denoted by large diagonal lines painted on the ground.

An access aisle is the area surrounding a disabled parking space. Sometimes, a disabling condition will necessitate large pieces of equipment to aid the disabled person in getting out of their vehicle. These pieces of equipment can include wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, walkers, or multiple people’s assistance.

When this is the case, a significant amount of room is required for these to function. Please, whether you have a parking permit or not, do not park in any way so as to obstruct these access aisles. Doing so may result in disciplinary action.

Your Parking Permit and Your Ability to Drive

Please be aware that there are certain medical conditions which may affect your ability to drive. If your life circumstances have made it less safe for you to be behind the wheel, please be self-aware of this and choose to have a friend or family member assist you in your travels. The state of South Carolina reserves the right to review your driving record and current driver’s license when you submit an application for a disabled parking permit.

A disabled parking permit from the state of South Carolina can make travels for you much easier, whether in the state or out of it! Please remember that your parking placards can only be displayed when the car is at rest. Following all of the responsibilities associated with your disabled parking permit will ensure that you are able to enjoy the amenities for a long time to come! Always make sure that you initiate renewal activities one month prior to the expiration date, and you will have no trouble in using your disabled parking permit.

Who Qualifies For A South Carolina Disabled Parking Permit

The disabled parking permit system in South Carolina is both compassionate and advanced, as the state wishes to ensure that everyone who needs to use the resources and accommodations set aside for the disabled can do so.

However, as the number of parking spaces that are immediately adjacent to the entrance of most businesses and buildings is necessarily limited, it is in the best interest of all involved that the state of South Carolina institute a rigorous procedure to ensure that only those who will most benefit from the use of these parking spots are able to use them.

The state has put together a list of qualifying criteria for a disabled parking permit. When you meet with a medical professional to confirm your eligibility, he or she will go over this list with you and talk about your options.

Talk with a Licensed Medical Professional

There are two basic ways to check this task off your list.

  • Talk with a Local Doctor in Person. If your life circumstances and medical condition allow you to go speak with a personal physician, please go to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and download the application form for a disabled parking permit. The third section of this form contains a list of qualifying criteria which you can discuss before obtaining the doctor’s signature and mailing it in.
  • Video Chat with a Licensed Medical Professional Online. However, if your life circumstances will make it difficult or otherwise undesirable to leave your home, you can speak with a doctor over the internet. After your video chat has ended, your completed application form will be emailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles for you.

Who Can Qualify for a South Carolina Disabled Parking Permit?

The list of conditions which can qualify you for a disabled parking permit is as follows. You may be eligible if:

  • You are currently unable to walk a distance of one hundred feet without falling, stopping, or making an existing medical condition worse, including feeling intense pain;
  • You are currently unable to without receiving assistance from any device including a wheelchair, brace, prosthetic, cane, walker, or another human being to walk any measurable distance successfully or without pain;
  • You have lung disease as defined by an expiratory volume of less than one liter per second when properly measured by spirometry, or if your arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty mm/Hg when you are breathing in room air while you are at rest;
  • You have any conditions you which requires you to use portable oxygen for any amount of time;
  • You are blind or have a condition which impairs your senses of perception or coordination;
  • You have heart disease such that you are functionally limited in what you can do and that your condition meets the criteria for Class III or Class IV heart failure as defined by the American Heart Association, or if
  • You have any neurologic, arthritic, or orthopedic disability which impacts your mobility other than what is listed above.

If you meet any one of these conditions, you may be eligible for a South Carolina disabled parking permit, and you may proceed with your application. If you are applying for a disabled parking permit for conditions relating to pregnancy, please apply for a temporary permit.

Veterans and American Disabled Parking Plates

If you are a veteran of a war and have suffered injuries that are at least fifty percent related to an incident suffered while you were in service of the United States, you may be eligible for a special veterans disabled parking plate.

This is a license plate that will go on the back and / or front of your card that will permanently identify you as someone who is legally allowed to park in a protected parking space. It will also identify you as an American disabled veteran. On the application form (downloadable from the Department of Motor Vehicles website), you have several options to choose from.

Options Available to Those Who are Veterans of the United States

Please select from the following checkboxes when filling out your disabled parking permit application form.

  • Purple Heart Wheelchair. This is a permanent license plate. There is no fee associated. You must meet the criteria for a Purple Heart.
  • Veteran Wheelchair. This is a license plate; you must prove that you meet the criteria for being a veteran of the United States.
  • Decal for Motorcycle: These come in Purple Heart, Disabled Veteran, and World War II designs. You must prove that you meet the criteria or served in such a capacity in order to apply for and receive these decals.

Mail In Your Application Form

If you spoke with a licensed doctor in person, you will be required to mail the application in to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles in person. The address is as follows:

SCDMV
Registration
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0019.

Please do not mail cash; all associated fees must be submitted by a check written to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

If, however, you chose to video chat with a doctor in order to get your medical approval, your application form will be emailed for your to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you suffer from a debilitating condition which severely impacts your mobility, or if you served in a war as a member of the United States armed forces or associated branches of protective services, you may be eligible for a South Carolina disabled parking permit.

This permit will enable you to park in protected parking spaces which are much closer to the entrances of most buildings and businesses. This can make going about your day to day life much easier.

However, it is important that only those who require these resources can use them. Please speak with your doctor to ensure that you are eligible for application. Remember to wait for your placards to arrive before you park in a disabled parking space.

How to Get a Handicapped Parking Permit in South Carolina

Handicapped parking is an essential element of life for individuals with disabilities. It can make it easier to complete necessary tasks like going to the grocery store or post office, but also makes it simple to go out and enjoy activities like dining at restaurants or visiting parks.

Unfortunately, actually getting the parking permit can be difficult. Because the United States is composed of 50 separate states, each one has the power to make its own laws about who qualifies for a permit and how people can apply for it. If you are struggling to receive a handicapped parking permit in South Carolina, or are just unfamiliar with the process, follow the steps in this simple guide. It will explain everything you need to know to get qualified.

Are You Eligible?

The first step to receiving a permit is to figure out whether or not you qualify for one. In general, the rules across the states are standardized because of federal laws passed to protect the rights of disabled and handicapped individuals. You should be able to get a pass for South Carolina if you meet one of the following requirements or have one of the listed conditions:

  • You cannot walk 100 ft. nonstop without aggravating a preexisting medical condition that causes pain or discomfort
  • You have a substantial limitation in your walking abilities because of orthopedic, arthritic, or neurological condition. This requirement includes individuals who have conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, blindness, or cerebral palsy
  • You require portable oxygen
  • You are unable to walk without assistance like a cane, wheelchair, prosthetic device, or another person
  • You have a cardiac condition that creates functional limitations; this condition needs to be classified as Class III or IV as established by the American Heart Association
  • A person has restrictions because of a lung disease

Like numerous other states, South Carolina requires individuals to have a doctor’s note that describes their disability and certifies them as handicapped. A person who is responsible for transporting a handicapped individual can also request a permit for the vehicle they regularly use to help the handicapped person around.

How to Receive a Doctor’s Diagnosis

Before you start filling out forms, you need to receive a diagnosis from a trusted doctor. If you have lived in South Carolina your entire life, then you can visit your regular doctor and ask them to give you an official diagnosis and sign a prescription order. The order will be attached to your paperwork and submitted with the rest.

If you are new to South Carolina, you will need to do some research. Not all doctors are willing to give a handicap diagnosis, so you might need to search your region. However, the majority of doctors are glad to help.

If you struggle with mobility issues – after all, you need the permit – then there are services that will let you speak to a doctor online to get the diagnosis you need. A website like drhandicap.com will match you with a doctor in your state who is certified by the medical board. You can speak in person with a professional, send them scans of your paperwork, and receive an emailed or printed out version of the paperwork you want.

The Paperwork

One of the most common reasons people are denied a placard is because they did not fill out the paperwork correctly. For South Carolina, you need Form RG-007A if you are an individual and Form RG-007B if you are a business. The papers need to be filled to completion, and you will have to include your prescription from a doctor.

Forms can be submitted in person or mailed to the DMV. You will need to include a check or money order for $1 to have proof of the transaction. No office can accept cash. Make checks payable to the SC Department of Motor Vehicles.

In addition to having the right paperwork, all applicants require a current driver’s license, beginner permit, or an identification card with a recent photo. No placards will be given out without a photo ID.

Once you have submitted all of the paperwork and been approved, a registration certificate will be issued. This certificate needs to be kept with the individual who receives the placard. It is best to keep it in the vehicle where the placard will be used.

If you choose to submit everything by mail, have the documents addressed to:

SC Department of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0019

Other Information

It is actually quite easy to get a handicapped parking permit in South Carolina, especially compared to other states. Once you have the permit in hand, you need to be sure you follow all of the rules so you don’t incur fines or get in legal trouble. Remember that each parking permit is valid for 4 years. A temporary placard will only work for a single year.

Once the placard expires, you will need to undergo the reapplication process. To become recertified, you need to undergo the exact same process, which means filling out the forms once more and getting recertified by a physician. It is a good idea to speak to a doctor online once more if you have trouble getting a diagnosis by visiting the office in person.

If the placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you unfortunately have little recourse. You will need to go through the process of getting diagnosed again, and will need to fill out the paperwork.

Finally, place the permit in the right location. It needs to be hung on your rearview mirror and should be visible when parked and driving. It should be visible from the front and rear windshields as well. Family members and friends are NOT allowed to utilize your parking pass, and they will be fined or arrested for misusing it.

Conclusion

Now you know everything you need to get a handicapped parking permit in South Carolina. Get your diagnosis, fill out the paperwork, and bring a check for $1. Your placard will then be issued.