In order for you to access the great state of Delaware’s disabled parking system, there are some qualifications that you have to meet. The state of Delaware has many laws and regulations as well as legal definitions for a disabled driver that must be met to obtain and use your permit properly.
What kind of vehicle does your permit apply to?
If you are trying to obtain a disabled parking permit for your vehicle, there are parameters that you should be aware of what the state of Delaware considers a motor vehicle that qualifies. The types of vehicles are defined as:
- Passenger cars
- Station wagons
- Pickup trucks
- Motorcycles
- Panel van trucks
- Other motor vehicles used by disabled persons not exceeding 14,000 lbs
Do you qualify as a disabled person?
If you are an owner of a vehicle that can be described by one of the qualifications above, there are qualifications set by the state of Delaware of what constitutes as a disabled person. If you fall within these qualifications it is important to remember that you must have this condition medically certified.
All of these qualifications are described as conditions that severely limit your mobility and impair your ability to walk. You qualify if it can be medically certified that you cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
If you cannot walk without some type of assistance from a device or another person, you can qualify as well. A restrictive lung disease that affects your mobility is also a condition that is recognized by Delaware.
The legal parameters of this type of lung disease are defined as a forced expiratory volume of 1 second less than 1 liter, measured by spirometry. Or, if you have an arterial oxygen tension less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air at rest.
If you are on portable oxygen per the advice of a physician you are within the legal qualifications. A cardiac condition within the classifications of the American Heart Association as class 3 or 4 qualifies as well.
If your ability to walk is severely limited by some type of orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic conditions you will qualify. All of these conditions are legally recognized by the state of Delaware as qualifications for a disabled parking permit.
Issuance by the state of Delaware of your permit
If you fall within the parameters above for a disabled person who owns a vehicle defined above, then the state of Delaware will qualify you to be issued a disabled parking permit. The medical qualifications above, however, must be certified by a physician.
Medical Certification
You must have the proper medical certification in order to be considered a qualified candidate for a disabled parking permit. You must be certified by a licensed medical professional, which includes the following:
- A licensed physician
- A physician assistant who is supervised by a licensed physician
- An advanced practiced nurse who is employed by a licensed physician
- An advanced practice nurse who has a collaborative agreement with a licensed physician
When any of these individuals provide a certification, they must note that this is a permanently debilitating condition. Although you will not need to recertify medically, a physician may need to sign off that your condition is persisting beyond the period of expiration of the permit.
How much is a disabled parking permit?
You should not necessarily expect to receive your disabled parking permit for free. However, the law for the issuance of the permit by the state of Delaware indicates that the Department of Motor Vehicles cannot charge more than a standard license plate fee for the issuance of this particular permit.
Basically, you should not expect to pay any more during your visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a disabled parking permit than you have paid for past services. It is important to note that if the Department charges you more, they should owe you an explanation of how they are operating outside of the parameters of the law for issuance of the permit.
Qualifications for renewal
That state of Delaware does not require recertification for a medical condition when renewing you permanent disabled parking permit. However, the state does require that your condition is documented by a permanent impairment to your mobility.
Some states do require you to recertify medically, however in Delaware, this is not a requirement. It is important to note that even though you are issued a permanently disabled parking permit you must renew that permit every three years. It is illegal to display and use an expired disabled parking permit in the state of Delaware.
Other Qualifications
You also do not need medical certification to receive a disabled parking permit in the state of Delaware if you are 85 years old or older. If you are within this qualification then you can simply apply without the certification of a licensed physician.
It is also important to note that if you have a disabled parking permit from another state that you can use it in Delaware. Delaware, unlike some other states, does not require that you obtain a traveling permit for a non=resident,
Delaware also has an allowance for 100%, disabled veterans, to obtain their disabled parking permit. If you are certified by the department of veteran affairs as a 100% disabled veteran you are eligible for the issuance of a permit from the state of Delaware without a permit.
Conclusion
When applying for a disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware it is important to make sure that you fall within all of the legal qualifications. It is important to understand the legal definitions of what type of vehicle can and cannot be registered and what the state of Delaware recognizes as the conditions of a disabled person who is qualified to apply.
Your knowledge of all of these parameters set bt the state of Delaware will make the application process and issuance of your disabled parking permit from the state of Delaware a breeze.