Getting a disabled parking permit in the United States can be hard because there are certain laws and guidelines unique to every state. There are many contributing factors you have to consider when finding out where to start – including your state, county, reference, specific disability, and more. If you want to start the process for receiving a disabled parking permit in Louisiana, you should start with reading and following this guide.

Know if You Qualify

Since every state has specific guidelines, it is important to know the qualifications you need to obtain a permit unique to Louisiana. Before starting the process to receive one, you have to confirm that you meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • You cannot walk more than 200 feet without stopping to rest.
  • You cannot walk without the use or assistance of a brace, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, another person, or assisting device.
  • You have lung damage so severe that with forced expiratory volume for one second when it is measured by spirometry, is less than 1 liter
  • You have to use portable oxygen.
  • You have a cardiac condition that limits your functions to the extent that they are classified as Class III or class IV in severity according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
  • Your ability to walk is severely impaired due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

Obtain a Physician Certificate

In Louisiana, you are required to provide a Medical Examiner’s Certification of Mobility Impairment form. A medical examiner is considered a person licensed to practice medicine or chiropractic practices by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, the Louisiana State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, or an advanced practice registered nurse. A printed form or a faxed copy sent from your doctor’s office are both acceptable to use.

When you arrive at your local Office of Motor Vehicles Office with the certification from your doctor, they will provide you with an application to complete. You also have to make sure you bring along a valid form of identification, your vehicle registration, and that you are prepared to answer questions about your specific disability or disabilities

Where to Turn in Your Application

You usually have to apply for a disability placard or license plate in person at your local OMV, but there can be an exception. If your doctor confirms that your disability prevents you from going to the OMV in person, someone else can apply on your behalf as long as they have your medical certification, a color photo of you, and are able to answer questions about your disability when asked.

To receive one placard, you have to bring the form completed by your doctor, a form of identification, and pay a fee of $3. To apply for a disability license plate in Louisiana, you will also need to being the Medical examiner’s Certification of Mobility Impairment, a current license plate and registration if the vehicle is registered in your name, the Designation of Mobility Impaired License Plate if the vehicle is registered in somebody else’s name; the fee will be $10 and handling fees can vary by location.

How to Use Your Permit

Once you receive your disabled parking permit, using it correctly is important. The first thing you should do is confirm whether your placard is temporary or permanent. If it is temporary, you will be able to use it for up to one year after the date it was issued, and if it is permanent, it will expire four years from the date of issue.

The law requires that a disability placard should be hanging from your rearview mirror or visible on your dashboard. If you do not have a rearview mirror, display it so it is visible on your dashboard. If the placard is not visible from the outside of the car, then you can be fined, so double-checking can be beneficial.

Renew Your Permit

A temporary parking placard is valid for up to one year – if you need it for a longer period of time, you have to apply for a new placard with a new medical certification, and you can only renew it once. A permanent placard is valid for four years and you will have to renew your vehicle registration every four years to get a new one.

Replacing a Lost Permit

When your placard gets lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to contact your local OMV branch personally in a timely matter. You have to make sure that you complete an application and a statement attesting that your placard has been lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged. If a record of your ID card or license to drive with a valid photo, and your Social Security Number is already on file with the OMV, you will not have to complete additional documents.

Where are the Iowa Country Licensing Offices?

If you are looking for a local OMV office in Louisiana, there are multiple locations all over the state. There are multiple offices located in East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammy, etc. Although there are offices in multiple areas, you should research where the closest office to you is located.

How To Report Handicapped Parking Space Abuse

If you see a car that does not have a handicap placard in a handicap spot, they are parking illegally. You can report them by calling the police or the OMV. You should also write down the vehicle’s license plate number before you report the situation.

Conclusion

If you live in Louisiana and need a disabled parking permit, you can take all of the correct steps for getting one by following this guide. You should always remember to hang it up so it is visible while you are parked, or you could be fined. Another important thing you have to keep up with is to remain up-to-date on when you will have to renew your permit again.