Nebraska, like most states, issues red placards for temporary permits and blue placards for permanent permits. If you are eligible for a disabled parking permit placard because of a temporary injury or mobility hindrance, your red placard is good for six months, after which you will need a new physician’s signed certificate.
If you suffer from a chronic or permanent condition, the blue placard issued to you grants you lifelong disabled parking, though it must be renewed online every five years.
These disabled parking permit placards are for use in your vehicle or the vehicle you are traveling in, to allow you to park in the familiar blue and white handicapped parking spaces provided around town.
Once you obtain your physician signed certificate and complete your application online with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, your placard will come in the mail.
When Can I Use My Disabled Parking Permit?
A common misconception about the disabled parking permit program in Nebraska is that it only covers drivers. If you suffer from a disability or chronic condition affecting your balance, respiration, vision or ability to walk, you can use your disabled parking placard in any car you travel in, as a passenger. Even when you don’t drive, if you travel by car, your comfort and safety can be affected positively by access to handicap parking.
In wet or icy conditions, the disabled parking spots which allow you to park closer to the door can be a huge help. Think of all the places you go, the bank, grocery store, post office, mall, all of them have disabled parking permits for you to use. Even if you do not drive, you owe it to yourself to apply for a disabled parking permit placard to keep yourself safe when friends or family drive you places.
If you are carrying with you a wheelchair, walker, or other assistive device, that extra loading space provided by a disabled parking space is essential! Ambulatory assistive devices should be used from the moment you exit your seat. Even the short journey away from a traditional parking space could cause a fall.
Your NE disabled parking permit is also valid in other U.S states if you are traveling, but make sure to follow local laws regarding parking. It is never okay to block a fire lane or park along a yellow marked curb. Aside from those universal rules, all 50 U.S states have had handicapped parking programs since 1955. Wherever you go, you can reasonably expect to be accommodated.
What Are My Responsibilities When Using Disabled Parking?
Disabled parking permit placards, the tags that hang from the rearview mirror, are considered an obstruction of view by the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Department. Make sure you don’t hang your placard until you have parked, or you could receive a ticket for obstructing your view. Annoying as it may be, this law is for your safety. Consider leaving your placard on your dashboard, where it is still visible to parking enforcement, but will not obstruct your view.
You must have a placard visible any time you make use of a disabled parking space. Unless of course, you have a disabled parking permit license plate, in which case you are always covered. Even if you have a valid disabled parking permit issued to you, if it is not displayed when you park, you could be fined, or have your disabled parking permit revoked!
While the license plate is a great way to make sure you never forget to display your disabled parking permit placard, remember that when you travel in someone else’s car, you will need your placard to make use of those blue and white spaces. Remember to keep the placard with you in your purse or coat pocket.
If you witness a violation of these rules, you should report it immediately to your local law enforcement. Misuse of the disabled parking program is not just rude, it is dangerous to those who need those spots for their safety and comfort. If someone parks in a disabled parking space without displaying their disabled parking permit placard or license plate, call your local authorities with the time, location, and license plate number as soon as possible.
While you should never tolerate misuse or abuse of the disabled parking program, make sure you are not falsely accusing someone. If they are displaying a disabled parking placard, chances are, they are legitimately in need of it. Many people who make use of disabled parking permits do not look disabled, but may still need it for a condition or injury that you cannot see.
They could also be picking up a loved one or friend who is inside the building and needs access to the disabled parking space. For the most part, if you see a placard, do not accuse and do not assume. But if you do not see a placard, report it right away, because it is likely a violation. Violations cause harm to disabled persons when they take up the spots needed by those with disabilities.
Five Facts About Disabled Parking in Nebraska
- Disabled Parking placards are for drivers or passengers
- Temporary six-month placards are red and permanent placards are blue
- NE parking placards are valid in all 50 states
- Placards should not be hung while driving and must be displayed while parked
- Failure to display a placard or misuse of a disabled parking space should be reported immediately to law enforcement
Make sure you are adhering to these rules when using your disabled parking permit placard. If you or a loved one suffers from a condition affecting their ability to walk more than 200 feet in safety and comfort, they may be eligible. Talk to your provider about obtaining a disabled parking permit to keep yourself safe and comfortable. Remember that the program was designed for you, and even if you don’t feel that you need “special treatment”, you owe it to yourself to be safe and cared for in your community.