Trying to get a disabled parking permit can be a challenge for people living in the United States because every state has different rules and regulations. In some states, the laws can even vary from city to another. If you live in Oregon and need a disabled parking permit, follow the steps in this guide to simplify the process.

Find out if you qualify

Like all states, Oregon has laid out what qualifies a person to receive a handicapped placard for their car. To qualify for a physically disabled permit in Oregon, you must have at least one of the following conditions:

  • severely limited mobility because of paralysis or the loss of use of some or all legs or arms;
  • you are affected by loss of vision or substantial loss of visual acuity or visual field beyond correction
  • anyone who has any other disability that prevents the person from walking without the use of an assistive device or that causes him or her to be unable to walk more than 200 feet, including but not necessarily limited to chronic heart condition, emphysema, arthritis, rheumatism, ulcerative colitis, or related chronic bowel disorder.

One thing to note is that Oregon is much less specific than other states in listing what qualifies a person for a permit. For instance, many other states specifically list the use of an oxygen tank as a qualifying condition, while Oregon does not. This gives your physician much more discretion in determining whether or not you need a permit.

Have a physician sign your application

Once you know that you qualify, you can begin filling out the paperwork. Oregon has four different permits to choose from. The most common are the dark blue renewable permit and the dark red temporary permit. There is also a wheelchair permit (medium blue), which means if you are confined to a wheelchair you will want to specifically apply for that one. Finally, there is the wounded warrior permit, which is for disabled veterans only. There are also separate applications for individuals and for families with more than one disabled member.

These forms can be obtained at your local DMV, or downloaded from the DMV website.

You will need to have a physician certify that you meet the criteria for a disabled parking permit. They need to examine you and then fill out a section of the form, so you will need to make an appointment with a local physician. You will also need to specify whether you are seeking a temporary or renewable permit, because the same form is used for both. Once that’s done, you can complete and submit the form.

Turn in the documents

Once the forms are completed and signed, you submit them to your DMV. There is no fee to submit an application for a disabled parking permit. You can drop it off at your local DMV office or mail it to the DMV Driver Issuance Unit in Salem.

What to do if you receive the permit

Once you have received your permit, you need to use it correctly. First, be sure that you have the renewable permit, not the temporary one. The temporary placard is only good for six months, and is usually issued by doctors to people who’ve suffered a temporarily disabling injury, such as a broken leg. The renewable permit expires at the same time as your drivers license, so you will renew them both at the same time.

If you were issued a temporary permit but are in need of a renewable. permit, contact the DPS and check with them; it may be that you have been issued a temporary permit while the permanent one is still being processed.

Be sure that you have received the appropriate type of renewable permit, too. Oregon has separate permits for those in wheelchairs and for disabled veterans, and each of them grants slightly different privileges.

Once you have verified that you have a renewable permit, you must have it hanging from the rear view mirror while parked, and remove it when driving. Leaving it hanging counts as an obstruction.

How to renew a physically disabled parking placard

In Oregon, your renewable disabled parking permit expires at the same time as your driver’s license or ID card. You will need to submit the appropriate forms for both in person at your local DMV field office.

For the permit, you will fill out the same form, and you will need a physician to examine you each time and certify that you are still in need of a disability placard. Renewals are not automatic, and you are responsible for knowing when your permit expires.

What to do if you lost your placard

Just like a renewal, replacing a lost or stolen placard requires the same form as applying for the first placard. You will, again, need to be examined by a physician and have them fill out the relevant portions of the form. You will then need to turn in your application form to the local DMV field office.

Do I need a driver’s license to get a disabled parking permit in Oregon?

No, you do not. If you have no driver’s license, use your state ID card number on the application instead. You can use your permit in any car you are riding it, it is not necessary for your to be the driver.

Can I get a disabled parking license plate?

Oregon does not issue disabled paring license plates, only placards or decals.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you can get your disabled parking placard in Oregon. Once you have it, keep it visible at all times when parking, and don’t forget that you alone are responsible for renewing the permit before it expires. Fortunately, Oregon makes that easy by having the permit expire when your license does.