How do You File for Disabled Parking in Virginia?

The great state of Virginia issues disabled parking permits to Virginia residents with conditions or disabilities that affect their ability to walk. These disabled parking permits grant the holder the right to park in the designated handicapped spaces throughout their communities. These spaces are marked with a white and blue wheelchair icon and are not only closer in proximity to the buildings they serve, but come with extra loading and unloading space for wheelchairs, walkers and other large assistive devices.

If you have difficulty walking safely for more than 200 feet unassisted, you may qualify for a Virginia disabled parking permit. In order to obtain your permit, you will need to follow these three steps.

Verify your eligibility under Virginia state guidelines
Obtain a physician signed certificate stating the nature and severity of your disability
File your paperwork with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Those three steps are quicker and easier than you may realize. Follow along with this guide to grab your disabled parking permit and get back on the road.

Virginia Disabled Parking Requirements

The basic guideline in the state of Virginia for disabled parking permit eligibility is the inability to walk more than 200 feet without undue pain or assistance. This is a broad statement, and intentionally so. There are lots of different conditions and disabilities that alter a person’s ability to ambulate from physical injuries to neurological conditions.

While a truly exhaustive list is impossible, here are some of the examples that your Virginia medical provider will use to determine if you are eligible.

Partial or full amputation or paralysis
Use of a brace or prosthesis
Reliance on an ambulatory assistive device including wheelchair, walker or cane
Legal blindness
A class III or IV cardiac condition such as a history of heart attack or stroke
A severe and limiting respiratory disease such as a form of COPD
Reliance on supplemental oxygen
Conditions causing dizziness or affecting balance
Seizures or sudden and uncontrolled loss of muscle tone
Any other condition causing severe pain or difficulty walking more than 200 feet

This is a list of chronic or lifelong conditions. Most occurrences of disabled parking permit issuance are for permanent placards. There is, however, a temporary placard available for residents who are injured severely for over three weeks. These temporary placards last six months. If you have experienced a broken bone or other severe but not permanent injury, the temporary placard may be right for you.

If you believe you qualify for either a temporary or permanent placard, you should seek your physician signed certificate. This certificate verifies your disability and satisfies the filing requirement of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. You can obtain this certificate not only from your primary care physician, but from many other members of your medical team. Many kinds of specialists that you receive treatment from are able to sign the physician signed certificate.

Best of all, in the state of Virginia, you can satisfy your requirements through a virtual visit. Virtual visits give you instant, at-home access to the best and brightest in the medical field. Virtual visits are convenient, taking place right from your home. If you are unsure of which medical provider to see regarding your disabled parking permit eligibility requirements, consider reaching out to a qualified provider through a virtual visit.

How to file Virginia Paperwork

Once you have obtained your disability verification from a qualified medical practitioner, all that remains is to file your paperwork with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. You have the option of filing by U.S mail, or by filling out the appropriate forms at any local Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office.

There you will receive either a temporary placard, valid for six months, or a permanent placard. Both placards are issued with a five dollar fee.

If you receive a permanent placard, you may choose to apply for a disabled parking permit license plate. This comes with the added advantage of being always on display, eliminating the risk of losing or forgetting your placard. This disabled parking permit license plate is considered a license plate renewal and comes with the applicable fees.

Your permanent placard must be renewed every four years. If, after six months, you still need your temporary placard, you will have to apply again, with a new physician signed certificate.

Virginia Disabled Parking: What You Need to Know

Now that you have your disabled parking permit nearly in hand, take a moment to read the rules of disabled parking.

You must be sure to display your disabled parking permit placard prominently while parked. Failure to do so could land you with a fine or with your permit being revoked.

Your disabled parking permit is valid in all fifty states, so don’t hesitate to take it on the road. Likewise, be welcoming of visitors from other states.

Remember that your placard may be used in any vehicle you travel in, not just your own. If you hitch a ride with a friend or family member, you are allowed to use your disabled parking permit placard in their vehicle, to ensure you have access to disabled parking wherever you go.

You may not lend, sell or give away your disabled parking permit placard for any reason, at any time. This is a crime. Failure to abide by the Virginia state disabled parking permit laws could result in up to ten-thousand dollars in fines or up to five years in jail.

If you witness a parking violation relating to disabled parking, be sure and report it right away to local law enforcement. Be sure to include the time, place and license plate number in your report. Remember that disabled parking programs keep residents safe and healthy. Violations of disabled parking permits are dangerous for your neighbors, friends, and family.

If you have difficulty walking more than 200 feet, you may be eligible for a disabled parking permit. Talk to your doctor about your eligibility.

What is the Quickest Way to Apply for a Disabled Parking Permit in Virginia?

When you’re disabled and not able to move around freely without some help, you start to wonder what types of benefits are available to you. One of the most common assistance programs under United States government is obtaining a handicap parking permit. Fortunately, for disabled persons like you, the Americans with Disabilities Act was written into the Constitution in 1990.

Each state has their own specific laws under the federal government law regarding disabled parking permits and your rights as a disabled person. You will need to perform some research to help you along the way, when applying for your permit. The assisted outline will guide you through your process as an additional aide.

What Rights Do You Have in Virginia?

If your ability to walk is impaired or non-existent, handicap accessible spaces are available to you. You must qualify for these parking placards. Virginia placed special regulations for those of you that are disabled and unable to have full mobility.

All parking spaces that are reserved for people with disabilities are not metered for up to four hours of parking usage. This means you do not have to pay to park your vehicle with proper placard usage for up to four hours depending upon the time limit for the meters.

What Criteria You Must Meet for a Disability Parking Permit

As in all states, there are a list of ailments that require you to be eligible to apply for a handicap parking permit. You will need to take a trip to your physician to verify your conditions, this is required on your application. You can also have a medical consultation online via telemedicine. Check the list of criteria below for eligibility:

If you are unable to walk without rest for 200 feet or more
Your mobility requires assistance from a cane, brace, crutch, wheelchair or another person
Your ability to walk is restricted due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic disorder
You have a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition
You have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
You are legally deaf and/or blind
You have a delay in mental judgment or any other memory problem, or have a form of Autism

What Types of Disability Parking Permits are Issued?

Virginia is one of the few states that possess several different categories of disabled parking permits. Don’t panic, this means you have options on which parking permit best suits your needs. There are five choices for your physician to decide. Each type will be explained later for clarification of specifics.

Temporary Parking Placards
Permanent Parking Placards
Disabled License Plates
Disabled Veterans Plates
Institutional Placards

How Does Each Parking Permit Work for You?

In order to determine the type of parking placard you are eligible for; your doctor must fill out your medical certification of your application. You are not permitted to determine the type of placard, only your physician.

Temporary disability parking placards are not eligible to renew and are valid for up to six months. Additionally, if you need a new parking placard and you are still temporarily disabled, you must fill out a new application and get a new medical certification from your physician.

Permanent disabled parking placards are eligible to renew online, in person, or by mail every five years. You do not need a new medical certification, unless your condition has worsened. You must renew no later than two months after your parking placard expires.

Disabled parking plates are valid until registration of your vehicle is due. You must renew at each year that your registration for your car expires. Your inspection of your vehicle must be kept current in order to renew. Disabled Veteran’s license plates follow the same standards.

Institutional parking placards and/or plates are valid for up to five years and are non-renewable. Like temporary parking placards, if you need a new placard, you are required to submit a new application. Then, every five years after, you are required to submit new applications for these parking placards/plates.

What is the Process to Apply for a Parking Placard?

As described, you will need to assess if you meet the qualifications by visiting your doctor and asking for a recommendation (medical certification). You will need to fill out the correct application form as required by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. When your application is completed to its entirety, you will need to submit either in person or through the mail. Application processing takes about six to eight weeks.

After your parking placard is received, it’s best that you hang the placard on your rearview mirror inside your vehicle and be sure your expiration date is visible to passers-by

How Do You Replace Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Parking Placards?

Though it may seem redundant, the process to replace your disabled parking placards remains the same as renewing them. You will need to submit new applications and new medical certifications through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

You must pay $5 for original, renewal, or replacement disability parking placards
If your placard is stolen, contact your local police department to file a report and attach a copy and your driver’s license to your application for submission
Fines for Misuse or abuse of parking placards range from $200-$1,000 and may incur additional criminal punishment

Where are the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Offices?

You must decide if you are applying in person or by mail, if you apply in person you have multiple locations to choose from. Throughout the state DMV branches are located in each county; choose the one closest to your residence. If you are submitting your application through the mail address to:

DMV
P.O. BOX 85815
Richmond, VA 23285

What to Do Next

After reading the outline, thoroughly, you should have better knowledge to perform your process of your application. You’ll need your identifiable information and attach all documents, fees and medical certifications. If you have additional requests, it’s always best that you contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles office.

Who Can Get a Virginia Disabled Parking Permit

The state of Virginia has taken great strides towards ensuring that there are plenty of accommodations for those living with disabilities so that if you have a condition that impairs your ability to walk, you can still go about your day to day life with ease.

One of these accommodations is the disabled parking space. In Virginia, the parking spaces closest to the entrance of most buildings and businesses are set aside for disabled access. If you have a disability, you may be eligible for a parking permit which will allow you to use those parking spaces.

However, since these parking spaces are by nature extremely limited in number, it is in everyone’s best interests to ensure that only those who need to use these spaces are able to use these spaces. In Virginia, there is a list of criteria you must review to see if you qualify for a disabled parking permit. Read on for a full guide detailing these criteria to see if you can apply!

First, Speak with a Licensed Medical Professional

The application form for a disabled parking permit, plate, and / or placards contains a section which must be filled out by a licensed medical professional. If you are able to go visit a personal physician or local doctor, print out the form and bring it to your appointment. The doctor will go over your medical records and the list of criteria to see your options, then provide a signature at the base of the form.

However, if (due to your life circumstances) you would rather not visit a local doctor in person, you do have the option to video chat with a licensed medical professional online. If you choose this option, know that your information will be kept secure. After you complete this task from the comfort of your home, your application form will be emailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles immediately after your call.

Criteria for Eligibility for a Disabled Parking Permit

Whether you speak with a doctor online or in person, they will go over the criteria with you to see if you qualify. Here’s a full list of qualifying conditions for your review.

You may be eligible for a Virginia disabled parking permit if:

You are unable to walk a distance of two hundred feet without having to stop and rest, without falling, or without significant pain;
You have a physical condition which requires you to use any form of portable oxygen;
Your circumstances demand that you walk with an assistive device such as a walker, wheelchair, cane, brace, crutch, prosthetic, or with the assistance of a friend to avoid pain or a fall;
You have heart failure that meets the standards listed for Class III or Class IV heart failure, as determined by the American Heart Association;
You have a specific neurologic, orthopedic, or arthritic condition which severely impedes your ability to walk;
You have lung disease as measured by an expiratory volume that is less than one liter per second per spirometry, or an arterial oxygen tension while you are breathing room temperature (and pressure) air while you are at rest that is less than 60 mm/Hg;
You have a mental disorder or any kind of developmental amentia which affects your ability to perceive, make decisions, or understand your surroundings such as a condition on the autism spectrum;
You have Alzheimer’s or any other condition which resembles dementia; or
You have a condition which has resulted in either legal deafness or legal blindness.

Meeting any one of the above criteria may make you eligible for a Virginia disabled parking permit, but nothing is set in stone! Meet with your doctor to make sure that you can present the best case possible for your application.

If you are applying for a Virginia disabled parking permit for conditions relating to pregnancy, please apply for a temporary parking permit, note your due date as the expiration date, and mention that you are pregnant in the space provided.

Who Can Use a Disabled Parking Permit?

Please note that in the state of Virginia, the parking permit is issued to the person — e.g., you — and not to a specific vehicle. If you request and receive parking placards, then you will be able to use them in any car you happen to be using. (If you requested and received disabled parking plates, then those will apply to only the car to which they are affixed.)

As your disability may by its nature impede your ability to drive, please also note that you do not have to be the one driving in order to be able to park in a disabled parking space. Anyone can drive and anyone can be in the vehicle using your disabled parking plates or placards; however, you must be. If others are found to be using your disabled parking materials without your presence, then you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including revocation of your disabled parking permit.

When you go to renew your disabled parking permit, you will be asked to go through the criteria again and have a doctor re-confirm your condition. The state of Virginia requires this as even permanent conditions do change, and they have a vested interest in ensuring that only those who need to use the parking spaces are able to do so.

If you have a disability which significantly impedes your ability to walk and you live in the state of Virginia, you might be able to apply for a disabled parking permit — a tool which will greatly increase your quality of life. Specific accommodations have been set aside for the disabled, and if you use a parking placard to enjoy them, you will be able to go about your errands in a much easier way.

However, you have to qualify for the service, first! Whenever you need to apply for or renew your disabled parking permit, refer to these criteria to see if your condition qualifies you to use these accommodations.

How to Use Your Virginia Disabled Parking Permit

When you’re suffering from a disability which makes walking difficult, the last thing you need is the parking spot that is furthest from the place you’re trying to get to! In the state of Virginia, this problem has been solved through the practice of marking and setting aside disabled parking spaces. Only those who have disabled parking plates or placards on their cars are able to park in these specially set aside areas, making it much easier for the disabled to go about their daily lives.

If you have applied for and received a disabled parking permit, placards, and / or plates, then you’re in luck! You should be able to park in those spaces immediately. However, there’s a bit more to it than that. Read on for a complete guide detailing the rights and responsibilities associated with your Virginia disabled parking permit.

When to Use Your Disabled Parking Permit

The most important guideline to follow when using your disabled parking permit regards placard placement. Your disabled parking placard is a large, stiff, brightly colored piece of poster board that is designed to hang from your rear-view window in the front of your car. When you are parked, place it to show any parking lot officials that your car has been approved to park in that location.

It is very important, though, that you remember to take it down immediately after you get back to your car! Having a large swinging object that has the capacity to dangle into your field of vision in the front of your car while the car is in motion is highly illegal and very dangerous. Therefore, please form a habit of placing the placard up after you have already parked, and taking it down before you leave the parking space.

How to Renew Your Disabled Parking Permit

If you permit has expired, then you can’t use it — using an expired parking permit can render you liable to disciplinary action up to and including revocation of your parking materials. The Department of Motor Vehicles recommends that you begin the renewal process two months prior to the date upon which your parking permit expires.

If you have a temporary parking permit, then the expiration date will be the date you noted on your application form. If you have a permanent disabled parking permit, then your permit will have to be renewed once every five years. The process for renewing your permit is exactly the same as the first time you applied; but, this time, check the boxes for “renewal” instead of those stating that this is your first time.

Your Parking Permit and Access Aisles

In any location where there are more than two disabled parking spaces, there will be an access aisle between and possibly surrounding them. These access aisles will be designated by long diagonal slashes of paint on the ground, boxing them in.

The point of an access aisle is to make sure there is enough room between vehicles to ensure that any assistive devices — for example, wheelchairs and motorized wheelchair ramps — have enough room to do what they need to do. Obstructing the access aisles could make it impossible for a disabled person to properly use the disabled parking space.

Whether you have a disabled parking permit or not, please make sure that you do not park in any way that obstructs the access aisles.

Your Disabled Parking Permit and Meters

A little known perk about disabled parking permits in the state of Virginia is that if you post your placard appropriately, you can park in any metered spot for up to four hours without paying a fee. This should make parking downtown much easier!

What to Do if Your Disabled Parking Permit is Lost or Stolen

If your parking permit materials such as your placard or your plates are lost, then please download the application form from the Department of Motor Vehicles website and request a replacement. Please note that it may take up to fifteen days for these materials to arrive. Please do not park in disabled parking spaces until your replacements are ready for use.

If you believe that your materials have been stolen, please call the police and file a report. Attach a copy of the police report to your application form when you submit.

Travelling Outside of Virginia

As the parking placards and license plate both have the International Symbol of Access (the wheelchair) on them, their use is not limited to Virginia. If your Virginia disabled parking materials are non-expired and undamaged, you should be able to use them in any other state within America. Simply use them as you would in Virginia, and you should be able to park in any disabled parking space.

If, on the other hand, you are a disabled person who lives in another state who wishes to travel to Virginia, the process is equally simple. Please ensure that the disabled parking permit and placard you received from your state of residence is undamaged and unexpired, and simply use as you would at home.

Please make sure that you follow all signs and local ordinances, just in case there are situations that differ from what you’re used to in your home state.

Having and using a Virginia disabled parking permit is a great way to make sure that you’re able to get things done when you have a disability. However, there are several rules, rights, and responsibilities which are associated with the service which many people don’t know about.

It’s important to be aware of these responsibilities, as failing to follow them may result in your getting your permit taken away. Nobody wants to do that, so just make sure that you take care of your placards, use them at the right time, and renew them before they expire! Park appropriately so as not to obstruct access aisles, and travel outside of Virginia safely. Remember to always take down your placards before you drive away!

How to Get Your Virginia Disabled Parking Permit

If you are suffering from a disability which significantly impairs your ability to walk, the state of Virginia wants you to be able to go about your day to day life with comfort and ease — and has set aside several accommodations for you to be able to do so!

However, in order to make sure that only those who need these accommodations are able to access them, the state of Virginia has a process in place to confirm your disability before issuing you your parking materials. The application steps can get a little complicated, but it’s nothing you can’t handle with a little bit of preparation. This guide will help you make sure that you’re able to get your application together with ease.

Make Sure You Qualify

Virginia is one of the easier states in which to qualify — but, because the number of disabled parking spots available is limited, they do need to make sure that you do so. The state of Virginia has put together a list of qualifying conditions. When you put together your application, you will need to go through this list with your doctor before proceeding with the application process.

Speak with a Licensed Medical Professional

If you think that you’re eligible for a disabled parking permit, then there is one more approval you need to get before you can submit your application: that of a doctor or other licensed medical professional. Their signature on your application form is necessary to go forward with the process.

There are currently two ways to go about obtaining this approval.

Speak with a Local Doctor In Person: If your disability and life circumstances allow you to speak with a personal physician, go for it! Print out the Disabled Parking Plates or Placard Application (MED 10) from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website. Take the application with you to your appointment, as the form must be signed by the doctor who confirms your condition.

Video Chat with a Medical Professional Online: If you would rather not, due to time or other inconveniences, leave your home, there is another way. Video-chatting with a medical professional online is a safe and easy way to get medical approval. Not only can you speak with a doctor from the comfort of your living room, immediately after your call the completed application form will be emailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles on your behalf.

Complete the Form

There are two main sections of the application form. Your doctor will have to complete one part of it, but the other must be completed by you. You’ll need specific, personal information to fill out the form, including your full name, your complete mailing address, your date of birth, your telephone number, and some basic descriptors regarding your physical appearance such as hair and eye color.

You’ll also have to indicate which type of application you are submitting, depending on whether you are applying for the first time or requesting a renewal or replacement. Here are your options:

If this is your original application, you’ll have to distinguish whether you are requesting a disabled parking placard or a disabled parking plate. There is a five dollar fee associated with a disabled parking placard; and if you are requesting a disabled parking plate, you’ll have to download form VSA 10 from the Department of Motor Vehicles website and complete that as well.
If this is a renewal or replacement application, you’ll have to distinguish whether you want a disabled parking placard with an ID card, just the ID card, or a replacement plate. The fee associated with a replacement placard is five dollars; just the ID card is two dollars, and a replacement disabled parking plate is ten dollars.

Mail the Form In

If you opted to speak with a licensed medical professional in person, you will have to mail the form in physically. The mailing address is located on the application form.

If you decided to chat with a doctor online, then you don’t have to worry about this step — the form will be emailed to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for you!

Wait to Receive Your Parking Materials

Please note that you will have to wait to get your parking placards or plates in the mail before you begin to enjoy the benefits associated with your disabled parking permit. Merely going through the application process does not entitle you to the disabled accommodations; the parking plate or placard is the tool that you will use to mark your car as legally able to use those spaces. Doing otherwise may leave you liable to disciplinary action.

Use Your Disabled Parking Permit

After you’ve gone through all the trouble to get it, remember to use your disabled parking permit! If you received placards, then you will have to place the placard on the rear view mirror in the front of your car when you are parked in a disabled space, and remove it before you drive away.

You will have to renew your parking permit periodically. The renewal process will require you to visit with a doctor again to re-confirm your condition. The state only does this so that the limited number of disabled parking spaces are only available to those who need them.

Having a disabled parking permit in the state of Virginia can be a great way to make sure that living with your disability doesn’t take away your ability to go about your day to day life. If your condition qualifies you for a disabled parking permit, make sure to speak with a doctor to get your application signed.

When you receive your parking permit in the mail, make sure that you use the associated materials to park safely and legally very close to the entrance of most businesses and buildings! Remember to put your renewal dates on the calendar to ensure that you’re always able to enjoy the benefits of your Virginia disabled parking permit.