No matter where you live in the United States of America, the Americans with Disabilities Act, is part of your law. States may amend to include, reduce, increase, or exact punishment to individuals of your state. The laws then trickle down to a local level and if you live in Rhode Island, you’ll need to follow specific guidelines.
Don’t let your fear of rejection for a handicap parking placard scare you away from applying. You will need a few basic things to get started; access to a computer, printer, and personal records. Read each paragraph thoroughly to better understand your legal rights and take action to receive your parking placards.
Where You Can Find Your Rhode Island Branches
Rhode Island is the smallest state in America, bordering Connecticut and Massachusetts, predominantly. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles oversees disability parking applications, provides important information regarding your rights, and offices can be found all across the state with over 13 locations.
What are Your Rights as a Disabled Person in Rhode Island?
Your state allows specific restrictions against anyone impersonating a disabled person or falsely using disability parking placards. The handicap accessible parking spaces are reserved for you and only you, you are not allowed to share your parking placard with any member of your family or friends. All retail spaces, restaurants, and other buildings must be in ADA compliance so that you have the luxuries non-disabled people have. If you suspect misuse or abuse of disabled parking permits, you must report the conduct to the authorities.
How Do You Start the Application Course?
First, you will download your application from the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles and evaluate what you need to fill out. Second, you will need a medical certification from your physician to assess your conditions to place you in the appropriate category for your disability parking placard. Lastly, you must submit your entire application through the mail to the Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Disability Parking Placards.
Your physician will decide, based on your disability, how long you will need to have a parking placard in your possession. If you are temporarily disabled, he will check the temporary box or the long-term space. If you are in desperate need and will be out of commission for more than three years, you will be assigned as a permanent placard holder.
- Temporary Disability Parking Placards- valid two to six months
- Long-term Disability Parking Placards- valid one to three years
- Permanent Disability Parking Placards- valid 3+ years (expiration depends on your condition)
Why You Need a Medical Certification
Rhode Island’s qualifications for your parking placards solely depend on your disability and how much you are disabled. Only a physician is permitted to decide how badly you need a handicap permit. You will need to be:
- Cannot walk without help from someone, a cane, brace, crutch, wheelchair or prosthetic device
- Have a severe lung disease that restricts your normal breaths
- Legally blind or have vision loss comparable to 2/200
- Classified as a level III or IV cardiac condition
- Solely dependent on an oxygen tank
Your condition in one or more of the qualifications may change, so it’s best that you have your physician recertify before the expiration of your original disability parking placards.
How to Use Your Parking Placards
After you submit your application, the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles will verify all of your given information. Remain calm, no one has forgotten about you as this will take at least a month to process, possibly longer. Then, you will receive your parking placard along with information on use:
- Hang your placard in your rearview mirror, be sure the expiration date is visible through your windshield.
- Remove your placard if you are driving
What are Disabled Veterans Plates?
If you are a veteran and disabled, you may qualify for a Disabled Veterans License Plate and/or Placard. You must retrieve an authentic letter from the Veteran’s Administration validating that you are completely disabled due to an injury or other disability from your branch-related service. You are also qualified for a free license plate showing your disabled veteran status.
What If Your Parking Placards are Lost, Stolen, or Damaged?
Your placards should be valued the same as your Social Security card, Driver’s License, or any other form of ID. There are instances when you cannot help what is unexpected, though. In the event that your parking placard is lost or stolen, you’ll need to file a report at your local police station.
After you receive your report, download and fill out an affidavit for lost placards (if lost) and mail all of your required information to the Division of Motor Vehicles. If your parking placard is damaged all you need to do is visit your local Rhode Island DMV with your damaged placard and receive a new one.
What Other Information You Need to Know
If you live out of state, you do not have to apply for a disability parking placard while visiting Rhode Island. If you move to Rhode Island, you have 30 days to obtain a medical certification and apply. Remember, you must be a permanent resident to carry a Rhode Island handicap parking placard.
- Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles Mailing Address
To submit applications, replacement placard information, or renewal forms send to:
Division of Motor Vehicles
Disability Parking Placards Office
600 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
- Anyone who abuses or misuses the rights of the disability parking placard could receive jail sentences of a year and filed as a misdemeanor offense with fines exceeding $1,000 or more
How to Begin Your Future with Your Parking Placards
Know your rights as a handicapped person, review the guides, rules and regulations of Rhode Island. Be sure to always double-check your forms before submitting to the DMV and gain knowledge of your qualifications. Remain certified as applicable from renewing and you will receiver your disability parking placards now and in the future.