If you’re an individual who has a disability, finding handicap parking can be tough enough. However, applying for a parking permit shouldn’t be so difficult if you qualify and have all your paperwork ready. The rules vary depending on which state you live in and whether the disability is permanent or temporary. If you live in Michigan follow this guide to help you with applying for your disabled parking permit.

What Type of Placard Can I Get?

In Michigan there are three ways you can park in a disabled parking space. You can have a disabled license plate, a permanent placard, or a temporary placard. You can be a driver or passenger in the vehicle that uses a disabled parking placard. To qualify for the blue permanent disability placard your disability must not be expected to improve and a physician must certify your condition. A disability is defined as:

  • Blindness
  • Any condition that greatly limits a person’s ability to walk
  • Any condition that requires a wheelchair, walker, crutch, or other assistive device including prothetic legs

Obtaining the Placard

Individuals must fill out the Disability Parking Placard Application (form BFS-108) which is available online. You will fill out part I and include your basic information such as name, address, phone number, and driver’s license or ID card number.

Part II is filled out by a physician, chiropractor, optometrist, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. Part III is filled out by the physician only if you qualify for free parking.

The form is then taken to any Secretary of State office or mailed to:

Michigan Department of State Secretary of State
Special Services Branch
PO Box 30764
Lansing, MI 48918

There is also no fee to apply for an original disabled parking placard. Photocopies of the filled out application will not be accepted so be sure to turn in the original form. It is perfectly fine if the blank form is photocopied.

Receiving and Using the Placard

Once you receive your placard remember there are rules when using and displaying it in your vehicle.

  • You have to be the driver or passenger in the vehicle that is using the disabled parking space. This means don’t lend your disabled parking placard to others who don’t need it.
  • Don’t park on the blue striped lines next to the disabled parking spot. This space is for those who need space for wheelchairs as well as vans and vehicles that need this space for wheelchair lifts. It can be incredibly frustrating for those who need that space to see a vehicle partially parked over the striped lines.
  • You can use this disabled parking placard anywhere in the United States and it is not limited to the state of Michigan. You can also use it another person’s vehicle if you are driving it or are the passenger.
  • Remember to hang the placard from your rear view mirror and take it down when you are driving.

What Not to Do With the Placard

There are actions you definitely do not want to do when you have a disability placard. Avoid these following actions:

  • Don’t lend your placard to someone else.
  • Do not use a placard that has been canceled or replaced.
  • Don’t use the placard if you don’t have a qualifying disability anymore.
  • Don’t use a deceased family member’s disability placard

Remember to follow these rules and you will avoid fines that can be as high as $500 and jail time up to 30 days.

A Lost or Stolen Placard

The original disability parking placard is free. However, if you lose your placard or it is stolen you must pay $10 to get a replacement. Along with the fee you must show your identification when applying for a replacement placard.

Renewing a Permanent Placard

Even though you have a permanent disability, the blue placard is only good for four years. Fortunately, you don’t need a physician’s statement to get your permanent placard removed. Some states require a doctor to sign off for the placard even if the disability is permanent. Placards will expire on the applicant’s birthday and can be renewed up to 45 days before it expires or up to six months before the expiration if you will be out of state or have another valid reason for needing to renew the permit early. Again there is no cost for the renewal. Renewal applications can be sent by mail, telephone, or email and the request should include the applicant’s name, address, phone number, and expiring permit number.

Free Parking with a Placard

The state of Michigan does allow certain individuals with disabilities to obtain free parking where they otherwise would have to pay fees, for example on public streets with parking meters. Having disabled parking placard does not automatically get you free parking. It needs to have a yellow free-parking sticker. In order to get one your physician fills in Part III of the disabled parking placard application. In order to qualify you need to have a Michigan driver’s license and one of the following has to apply:

  • You can’t insert coins or tokens into a parking meter.
  • You can’t grab a ticket from a parking meter.
  • You can’t reach above your head to a height of 42 inches from the ground.
  • Your wheelchair, walker, or other ambulatory device prevents you from getting close enough to a parking meter.
  • You have an orthopedic, heart, or lung condition that is so severe that you can’t walk more than 20 feet.

If you have the yellow sticker garages and parking lots that are privately owned can still charge you for parking so be prepared to pay in those situations.

Violations With the Placard

As mentioned earlier there are rules when using the disabled parking placard. If you know of others that are abusing the use of the placard or are in violation it is recommended that you call your local police and report the violations. There are fines and possibly jail time for these violations.

Conclusion

If you find yourself in need of parking in disabled parking spaces and you reside in Michigan, the process is easy to follow. Be sure you have a qualifying condition and have your doctor or other qualifying medical professional fill out the correct part of the form. Submit the form and use the disabled parking placard properly. Be sure to renew the placard so you can continue to use it and have the ease of parking closer or having more space to enter and exit your vehicle.