Disabled parking permits are offered in the state of Montana for anyone with difficulty walking more than 200 feet. Disabled persons or persons with a chronic condition affecting their ability to walk are eligible for this disabled parking program.

Disabled parking permits are issued on a temporary basis for up to six months or an extended temporary basis, for up to two years. These temporary disabled parking permits are intended for persons with an injury or illness that will not be life long but may affect them severely for a long time.

Disabled parking permits grant the holder the right to park in the familiar blue and white disabled parking spaces in every Montana community. These spaces are provided to safeguard Montana residents and ensure disabled persons are safe and comfortable anywhere they go.

If you experience difficulty or pain when walking more than 200 feet, talk with your medical provider about your eligibility. Once you have established eligibility for the disabled parking permit program, you must obtain a physician signed certificate, and file it with the Montana Department of Motor Vehicles.

How do I Qualify For Disabled Parking?

Disabled parking permit eligibility is based on a person’s ability to walk more than 200 feet without pain or risk of falling. There is no master list of conditions and illnesses which qualify a person, but here is a list of common conditions associated with disabled parking permit eligibility.

  • Partial or total loss of limb or limb functionality
  • A serious cardiac condition (class III or IV) including heart attack or stroke
  • Inability to walk more than 200 feet without stopping or the risk of falling
  • Reliance on supplemental oxygen, or a severe breathing difficulty in motion or at rest
  • Reliance on or use of an ambulatory assistive device such as a cane, walker, brace or wheelchair
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and bronchitis
  • Legal blindness or severe vision impairment
  • Conditions causing seizures, dizziness or sudden loss of muscle tone

While this is not an expansive list, these are the guidelines a provider looks at when determining if a person has a condition eligible for a disabled parking permit.

Temporary eligibility is based on the same principle. Broken bones, surgery recovery, and severe pneumonia are common causes for temporary placard eligibility. If you feel you have difficulty walking more than 200 feet, be sure to talk to your provider about your eligibility.

How do I Obtain a Physician Signed Certificate?

Your primary care physician can, of course, sign the document, but so can other members of their team! Registered nurses, LPNs and physicians assistants are all able to sign this certificate. If you are being treated for a chronic condition by a specialist, that provider can also sign for you.

Podiatrists, optometrists, chiropractors, and physical therapists are all medical professionals who can verify your disability.

If you are seeking a temporary permit after an accident or illness, you can obtain the necessary certificate from the emergency room where you are treated, or from any of your follow up providers.

If you are not currently seeing a primary care doctor, or you do not want to wait to schedule a regular appointment, don’t worry! Lots of people now choose the comfort and convenience of virtual visits, and this is no exception. Many qualified Montana providers are available online for virtual visits. You can obtain your physician signed certificate from the comfort of your home.

How do I File for Disabled Parking?

The Montana Department of Motor Vehicles has a quick and easy approach to filing your disabled parking permit application. Once you obtain your physician signed certificate, you may file form MV5 by fax, mail or E-mail.

Disabled parking permit placards are sent through the mail, and are always free. If you would like a disabled parking permit license plate, you must renew your license plate as usual. The only fees for doing so are the regular license plate renewal fees.

Once it comes in the mail, your disabled parking permit placard is valid for three years, after which you must renew it. Renewal does not require a new examination. Temporary placards are valid for up to six months, and extended temporary placards are valid for up to two years. Once they expire, a new physician signed certificate is required to renew.

If your permit is lost or stolen, be sure to report it right away to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a replacement.

Disabled Parking in Montana

The disabled parking permit program in the state of Montana is designed for the safety and comfort of all residents and visitors. Throughout your community, most buildings have designated disabled parking spaces to accommodate disabled persons. These spaces are your right as a disabled person, and keep you safe, particularly in icy or wet conditions.

Here are a few things to remember

  1. Disabled parking permits are issued to persons with difficulty walking more than 200 feet.
  2. Disabled parking permit placards must be renewed every three years.
  3. Temporary placards are available for up to six months.
  4. Extended temporary placards are available for up to two years.
  5. Placards must be displayed any time a disabled parking space is used. Failure to do so may result in a fine and revocation of the placard.
  6. Disabled parking permit placards are not to be hung from the rearview mirror while driving. To do so is to create a hazardous obstruction of view.
  7. Disabled parking permit placards may be used in any vehicle the holder travels in, for their comfort.
  8. Under no circumstances may you lend, sell or give away your permit. To do so is a crime.

If you are a loved one suffers from a condition which limits mobility, make sure to seek a disabled parking permit. This permit is for your safety and comfort. Even if you feel you do not need a disabled parking permit, a sudden change in weather or a poorly laid out parking lot could lead you to fall and hurt yourself.

You owe it to yourself to seek a disabled parking permit if you are eligible. Your community wants you to be safe. Talk to your doctor about your eligibility.