A handicap parking permit or placard can come in handy when you have limited mobility but still need to complete important tasks or attend events without compromising your health. If you’re an Iowa resident and want to know how to get a state-issued handicap permit, these helpful tips can help you complete the task.

What Are the Qualifications?

Anyone who is a resident of Iowa who has a condition that impairs or limits his/her ability to walk can receive a disability permit. If it is determined that you have a disability, you can get a removable windshield placard, plate or sticker in Iowa based on the following qualifications.

If you can’t walk more than 200 feet without stopping or becoming extremely winded, you may qualify for a handicap permit. If you need some form of assistance to walk, such as a brace or crutch, or have to hold onto another person when you walk, the state will issue you a permit or placard. If you need to wheelchair for mobility or have a prosthetic limb, you can receive a disability permit as well.

If you’ve been diagnosed with lung disease and your forced expiratory volume is lower than 60 mm/hg for one second when measured by spirometry, you can visit the DOT in Iowa for a handicap permit. You can also apply for a permit if you have to use a portable oxygen tank.

The state of Iowa also issues handicap placards and permits if you have a cardiac condition that falls into the Class 3 or Class 4 categories established by the American Heart Association.

The Iowa Department of Transportation will also give you a permit if you have neurological or orthopedic conditions that impair your mobility, or if you’re not able to walk far due to arthritis.

The Application Process

To receive a handicap permit in Iowa, you’ll complete an Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit for Iowa Residents. You can get a form from the treasurer’s office in your county or visit the DOT full-service driver’s license issuance site to get a form. If you’d rather obtain the application in person, you can visit the Office of Vehicle and Motor Carrier Services closest to you.

If you want to get personalized plates for your vehicle, be sure to complete the Persons with Disabilities License Plate application as well.

In addition to filling out the necessary applications, you’ll have to submit a medical statement from a medical professional. The statement has to be on official letterhead and clearly outline that you have a disability. Your doctor also has to dictate whether your disability is permanent or temporary.

When you have the medical statement and your application is completely filled out, take the documents to any DOT office that issues licenses in the state of Iowa, or to the Office of Vehicle and Motor Carrier Services. If you only need a handicap sticker, the Office of Vehicle and Motor Carrier Services is the only location you can receive a sticker.

If you want a license plate that dictates that you are disabled, you can get one from the treasurer’s office in your county.

More About Medical Statements

Remember that you can only get a medical statement from a person who is licensed to practice medicine in Iowa or the surrounding states. Medical professionals who can create and sign your medical statements include physicians, as well as physician’s assistants, advanced nurse practitioners, podiatrists and chiropractors. Surrounding states where you can receive a medical state for your Iowa permit are: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, South Dakota and Nebraska.

How Much Does a Permit Cost?

You don’t have to pay for a removable windshield placard, sticker or plate if you live in Iowa. If you have a persons with disabilities plate on your vehicle, you’ll still have to pay the yearly vehicle registration fee. If you want a personalized license plate that displays your disability, you’ll have to pay a $25 fee.

How Long Will My Iowa Permit Remain Valid?

Your handicap license plate has to be validated annually. You have to provide ceritification to the DOT stating that you still have a disability. This is also the case if you have applied for a disability permit on behalf of your child.

If you want a removable windshield placard, you can get a temporary permit that will expire six months from the date you received it. However, if your disability will last shorter than six months, your permit will no longer be valid after the date your doctor has indicated in your medical statement. If you have a permanent disability, you’ll have to renew your permit every five years.

When it comes to your disability sticker, the sticker will be valid as long as you keep your vehicle registration current.

Getting Multiple Permits In Iowa

Handicap plates for your vehicle can be issues to all automobiles for which the person with the disability holds the title. In the state of Iowa, each person with a disability can receive two removable windshield placards. You can also receive a disability parking sticker for all vehicles for which you hold the title.

Iowa Requirements for a Disability Placard

According to Iowa law, you have to sign the removable windshield placard to validate it. The placard has to be used any time you park in a designated space.

Iowa Handicap Permit Penalties

Now that you know how to apply for and display your permit, it’s also important to know the fees and penalties associated with misusing these items.

Don’t ever provide false information to get a disability placard, plate or sticker. The punishment could be a $300 fine and your sticker, plate or placard could also be revoked.

Don’t allow anyone to use your permit when you’re not in a car. Parking in a handicap space when no one with a disability is in the car could result in a $200 fine in Iowa.

If you have a temporary disability, make sure you remove the sticker, plate or placard when you no longer need it. If you’re caught misusing your permit, you could pay a $200 fine.

Keep these tips in mind when you apply for your handicap permit in Iowa to make the process easier for you.