Accessible Vans and Buses
In order for you to receive a free handicapped license plate in Louisiana for your van or bus, the vehicle must have a built-in device for raising and lowering wheelchairs. It must only be used by or for aiding mobility impaired people – it may be operated by either a mobility impaired person or by a person who is using the vehicle to benefit a mobility impaired person.
A free handicapped license plate can be moved from one vehicle to another if the new vehicle is also specially equipped with a device for raising or lowering wheelchairs and is registered in the mobility impaired person’s name or the name of a person helping said mobility-impaired person.
Who Is a Mobility-Impaired Person?
A mobility-impaired person is anyone who is impaired to the extent of any of the following:
- Cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest.
- Cannot walk without the assistance of another person, walker, cane, crutches, braces, prosthetic device, or wheelchair. This includes people who are blind or have a visual impairment severe enough that they need another person’s help to walk.
- Has a lung disease to such an extent that causes their forced expiratory volume for one second and is less than one liter when it is measured by spirometry.
- Uses portable oxygen.
- Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person’s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
- Has a diagnosed disease or disorder, including a severe arthritic, neurological or orthopedic impairment that creates a severe mobility limitation.
Inspection
Your alternative vehicle has to be inspected by a professional before you can receive your free disability parking permit.
A physical inspection must be performed by a full-time Peace Officer Standards and Training certified law enforcement officer who has been certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or the Office of State Police. The inspection that is submitted must confirm that the vehicle is equipped with a special device for raising and lowering wheelchairs, or a departmental employee can visually inspect the vehicle for the device.
Medical Examiner’s Statement
Your application must be submitted with a currently dated medical examiner’s statement form certifying that the applicant is mobility impaired. A medical examiner’s certification form is only required to be included in your first application and you will not need to renew it when you renew your license. A medical examiner is a professional who is:
- Licensed to practice medicine by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
- A person licensed to practice chiropractic by the Louisiana State Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- A person licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
- An advanced practice registered nurse.
The certification must be completely filled out and must state a type of impairment below:
- Permanently Impaired – You have been diagnosed with a condition that is certified total or lifelong.
- Temporarily Impaired – You will not be eligible to receive a handicapped license plate, a temporarily impaired individual will only qualify for a hang tag.
If the mobility impaired individual is not the owner of the vehicle on which the handicapped plate will be placed, a “Designation of Mobility Impaired License Plate” form must be completed and signed by the mobility impaired person and the vehicle owner.
Fees
If the vehicle is not registered in the applicant’s name, the proper title documentation for the vehicle and fees must be submitted.
∙ There is no fee for handicapped plates for vans or buses equipped with devices necessary for raising or lowering wheelchairs.
∙ The license transferring fee is $3.00.
∙ An $8.00 handling fee is due on all transactions except renewals.
Applications for these free handicapped plates can be processed at any Motor Vehicle or Public Tag Agent office.
If you currently have a plate on the vehicle, your current plate must be submitted for cancellation and be cancelled before you receive your new handicapped plate. Since the handicapped plate is free, you will not get any extra credit or a refund of the unused fees on the regular license plate.
Use a Personalized Plate
Personalized Plate Regulations
There is a $25 annual fee in addition to the regular registration fee. A one-time $3.50 administrative fee and $8.00 handling fee will also be due. Call the Title Registration Unit at (225) 925-6371.
- Plates are issued on a first come, first serve basis.
- Selections will not be held without paperwork being submitted.
- Vehicle must be registered in Louisiana prior to performing inquiry.
- The plate requested may indicate that it is available, but you have to confirm it with the OMV to be certain. Someone may have requested it prior to the submission of this request.
- Upon the acceptance of the personalized plate selection, it will be held for two weeks to allow time for your paperwork to be received.
- Personalized plates can be issued to automobiles, trucks up to 10,000 pounds, private buses, motor homes, and motorcycles.
- Some combinations may not be deemed acceptable by the Office of Motor Vehicles. Once your application has been received, a committee will review your request and you will be notified of the decision.
- Patented logos cannot be issued on a personalized plate.
- You may not substitute a number 1 for a letter I or a letter O for a zero on a personalized plate.
What You Can Request
- Letters A-Z – it must have at least two letters
- Numbers 0 to 9
- Periods, which count as one space on a plate
- Hyphens, which count as one space on a plate
- Only 6 letters and/or numbers are allowed on a handicap personalized plate
What You Cannot Request
- Amateur radio call signs
- Special symbols, such as #, @, %, etc.
- Duplicates of existing personalized plates
- No more than 7 letters and/or numbers in total
- Ethnic, racial, vulgar, or indecent connotations that can be considered offensive