In Oklahoma, people who are suffering from documented disabilities can enjoy the use of an Oklahoma disabled parking permit to park in spaces that are significantly closer to the entrances of businesses and buildings. This can make running errands in your day to day life much easier, as you can put together your days without having to worry about significant commutes which might make your condition worse.
However, before you can begin to enjoy the privileges associated with this permit, such as the placards which you can use to legally park in those parking spots, you need to go through multiple steps to successfully apply, first!
The application for Oklahoma disabled parking permits is simple, but there are several different contacts, forms, and steps involved. Read on for a complete guide to the application process for disabled parking permits in the state of Oklahoma.
Make Sure You’re Eligible
As disabled parking spots are usually those closest to the entrance of a building, they are necessarily very limited in number. Because of this, the state of Oklahoma has a process put together to ensure that only those people who are in need of these spaces are able to use them.
The disabled parking permit program in Oklahoma is one of the more generous in terms of which conditions they consider eligible for this service. However, you must make sure that you meet at least one of them, or your application will be rejected.
In order to confirm eligibility for the disabled parking permit, you need to speak with a licensed doctor or other medical professional, and get a statement from them to confirm your disability. This statement will be included as part of your application package. The application form contains a section expressly for this purpose.
There are currently two ways to obtain this statement. If you have a personal physician or if your condition makes it possible for you to make a visit over to a local doctor, bring the application form (downloadable from the Oklahoma state website) with you, and your doctor will help you go through the form to confirm your eligibility.
However, if this does not sound like a tenable solution due to your condition or life circumstances, there is a more technologically updated way to meet with a medical professional. Video chatting with a doctor online can help you get this process completed in a time efficient way; not only will your information be kept completely secure, your application form will be emailed to its destination immediately after your call.
Decide Which Type of Disabled Parking Permit You Need
Your doctor may be able to help you decide which type of permit your condition will require. There are two different kinds of disabled parking permits in the state of Oklahoma:
- A temporary placard. Temporary placards are good for any amount of time from issuance to six months after that date. You will select the expiration date. If you are requesting a disabled parking permit due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy, note your due date and document the reason why in the space provided.
- A permanent placard. Permanent placards should only be requested if your medical condition is likely to be permanent as well. However, permanent placards are technically only issued for five years. At that point in time you will have to follow the steps for renewal.
Fill Out the Form
The official application form for the Oklahoma disabled parking permit can be found on the Department of Public Safety website. Download the Physical Disability Parking Placard Application, print it out, and fill in the first section of the application in full.
You’ll need to know the following information to fill out the top section: Your full name, your date of birth, your mailing address, your phone number, and your state identification number from your driver’s (or non-driver’s) license.
It is very important to note that the Department of Public Safety reviews all applications for disabled parking permits and reviews driving records to ensure that everyone on the road should be on the road. By submitting your application for a disabled parking permit, you are assenting to your ability to drive being under review.
Gather Your Materials
When you are ready to submit your application, make sure that you have all of your documents! If your application is received without any of the critical components, it will be returned to you rejected and you will have to begin all over again, so think carefully before you submit!
The documents and associated materials that you will need to successfully apply are:
- The original application form. This must be the original form that you downloaded and filled out from the Department of Public Safety website. No photocopies will be accepted.
- Approval from a medical professional. This can be supplied either by your doctor filling out the form in the application, or by a note from a qualifying institution.
- Any associated fees. There is no fee associated with a disabled parking permit and placards; however, if you are requesting disabled plates, there will be a fee.
Mail In Your Application
The address to which you should mail your completed application is listed at the bottom of the application form. It is noted there as well that the Department of Public Safety does require about twenty business days (or four weeks) to process all application forms. Make sure that you wait for your placards to arrive before enjoying the benefits associated with your disabled parking permit!
An Oklahoma disabled parking permit can assist you if you have a disability which significantly impairs your mobility. However, the application process does have a lot of moving pieces! Whenever you need to apply for an Oklahoma disabled parking permit, request disabled plates or renewed placards, or report a lost permit, please refer to this page for a detailed guide to all of the steps required for a successful application for an Oklahoma disabled parking permit.