It can be frustrating to get lost in the complex world of disabled parking permit rules and regulations. In this guide, we’ll break down what each requirement is and best practices once you have yours. You’ll be an expert in everything there is to know about disabled parking requirements in Ohio.
So, let’s start with the most important question regarding disabled parking.
Who Can Get One?
It’s a common question, and you’ll find many different answers. Disabled parking permit rules and regulations change from state to state and even sometimes by different cities.
It’s always important to keep up-to-date with the laws in your area to ensure you’re using the permit correctly. It’s also imperative to understand these pre-qualifications if you’re interested in obtaining a disabled parking permit. A medical professional must certify that you meet at least one of the criteria the state of Ohio has adopted. Here are the qualifications:
- You must use portable oxygen.
- You must be blind
- You must not be able to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
- You cannot walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, crutch, cane, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistive devices.
- You are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person’s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air at rest.
- You must be so severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
- You have a cardiac condition to the extent that your functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
A lot of these qualifications can be confusing and difficult to understand. So, let’s break down what some of the more complicated requirements are and what they mean. Understanding how exactly you qualify will help ensure you’re giving the best information to obtain your disabled parking permit.
The American Heart Association Requirement
The American Heart Association has its set of classifications for those with cardiac disease regarding functional limitations. They’re standards dictate when someone with a cardiac disease starts to become limited in their physical activity. If this is you, you’d qualify for a disabled parking permit. Here is the definition of both Class III and Class IV.
Class III
Patients with cardiac disease resulting in marked limitation of physical activity. They are comfortable at rest. Less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea, or anginal pain.
Class IV
- Patients with cardiac disease resulting in an inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms of heart failure or the anginal syndrome may be present even at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort is increased.
I Have Lung Disease, But, What The Heck Is Spirometry?
Good question! The state of Ohio doesn’t do anyone any favors in terms of the readability of this requirement.
Spirometry is the most common of the pulmonary function tests. It measures lung function. It specifically measures the amount and/or speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled.
What the requirement is stating is that you must not be able to exhale or inhale enough breath when you physically moving. This can cause breathing issues.
If you’re completely unsure if you meet the requirement, a good idea is to consult with your primary physician. You’ll need to visit a medical professional any way during the application process, so it’ll be a good time to talk with them about how exactly you qualify.
Temporary and Permanent Permits
You must understand if you need a temporary or permanent disabled parking permit. Applying for the wrong one may get you rejected and you’ll need to go through the entire process again. Nobody likes visits to their doctor so make sure you know which one is best for you.
Here is the breakdown and differences between temporary and permanent disabled parking permits:
Temporary
- Temporarily disabled parking permits are ideal for those who have a temporary injury or reversible disability.
- They’re only valid for six months, you’ll need to fill out an entirely new application if you decide you need the permit for longer than six months.
- They only come in the form of placards
- They’re red to identify the permit as temporary
- You’ll need to pay a processing fee of $3.50
Permanent
- Permanent permits are for those who have a long-term injury or have an irreversible/permanent disability.
- Permanent placards are valid for various amounts of time. Your health care provider will specify an ending the date for permanent placards. You’ll need to renew them before they expire to keep them valid. You do need to fill out another application. However, you don’t need any further medical certifications
- Permanent license plates don’t need to be renewed through an application. If you obtain a permanent license plate, your permit will automatically renew each year when you annually register your vehicle.
Best Practices After You’ve Obtained Your Permit
Have you received your disabled parking permit? Wonderful! Now, you’ll need to make sure you understand the laws about the permit and how to successfully use it.
If you have a placard, you’ll need to hang it from the rearview mirror so that it is visible from the windshield of the vehicle. Make sure you only hang it when you’re using designated parking spaces. Failure to remove the placard while the vehicle is in motion can count as an obstruction and result in a citation.
If you need to replace your placard for whatever reason, the process is simple. You’ll need to complete From BMV 4826 and fill out another application. You can mail it or drop it off at a local deputy registrar license agency.
Conclusion
You should now be an expert in the best knowledge to obtain a disabled parking permit in Ohio. Make sure you abide by all laws and follow this guide and you’ll be on your way to your new permit!