In the great state of Texas, disabled parking is offered to citizens with difficulty walking due to pain, balance issues or physical disabilities. Disabled parking permits grant the holder access to disabled parking spaces which are not only closer to the door, but have additional loading space including for vans, wheelchair loading, and walkers. Disabled parking permit holders are also allowed to park at parking meters free of charge.
If you are looking to file for disabled parking in the Lonestar state, you have just three easy steps ahead of you. First, establish your eligibility by checking the list of conditions below. Second, verify your disability with a licensed Texas medical provider and obtain your physician signed certificate. Lastly, file your forms with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
How do I Qualify for Texas Disabled Parking?
Disabled parking permits are given out based on one simple question. Can the patient walk more than 200 feet without pain, risk of falling, or an assistive device? If the answer is no, that person is eligible for a disabled parking permit. To put that in plain English, you are eligible if…
- You rely on a walker, wheelchair or cane
- You have a serious heart condition or have had a heart attack or stroke
- You have an amputation, prosthesis or paralyzed limb
- You are legally blind
- You have a form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- You rely on supplemental oxygen
This isn’t a complete list but should give you an idea of the kinds of chronic conditions that warrant a disabled parking permit. The best person to tell you if you are eligible is, of course, your doctor. If you have any uncertainty, ask your primary care doctor or schedule a virtual visit to determine if you are eligible.
The above are all chronic or lifelong conditions, but the state of Texas also issued temporarily disabled parking permits which are valid for six months. These permits are issued along the same guidelines, that is, difficulty walking more than 200 feet. This could be caused by surgery, pregnancy, broken bones or severe respiratory illness. If you are injured or ill to the point that it severely limits your mobility, talk to your doctor about temporary access.
How do I Obtain a Physician Signed Certificate?
Once you have determined that you are eligible, it’s time to make an appointment with a Texas medical provider. The physician signed certificate is a legal document proving to the state of Texas and the Department of Motor Vehicles that you are disabled and in need of a disabled parking permit.
Specialists, primary care providers, advanced practice nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, all of them can sign for you. If they are a qualified Texas medical professional and you have worked with them regarding your condition or disability, they can verify your condition and satisfy the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles requirement.
If you are not currently seeing a primary care doctor, or if your next appointment is a long ways off, consider being seen through a virtual visit. Virtual visits are a great way to get connected to a qualified medical professional in the state of Texas when you have a specific need, such as your disabled parking permit application. Virtual visits are quick and comfortable, taking place on your time, right from your home.
How do I File My Paperwork?
Once you have obtained your physician signed certificate verifying the nature and duration of your disability, it’s time to file with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The form you need is form VTR-214. Once completed you will be granted either a temporary or permanent placard, according to your needs.
Temporary placards are valid for up to six months, after which time you will need to resubmit your application, with a new physician signed certificate to boot. Permanent placards do expire but can be renewed by mail, every four years.
If you lose your placard or believe it has been stolen, report it right away. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles will issue you a replacement, as well as alert law enforcement that the serial number of your old placard may be being used fraudulently.
Texas Disabled Parking Rules
Now that you have your disabled parking permit, take note of the rules so you don’t end up on the wrong side of a parking ticket.
- Always display your disabled parking permit placard while parked. Failure to do so could land you with a big fine and a loss of your placard.
- Do not drive with your placard hanging from your rearview mirror. While it might be a cool looking accessory, up there with fuzzy dice, it is also an obstruction of view. Keep your view clear or risk a ticket.
- Don’t worry about parking meters. As a part of the privilege of disabled parking permits, you no longer have to feed the meter. You also get double the time to park, to a maximum of four hours. After all, everyone needs a chance to park.
- Feel free to park in the other fifty states with your disabled parking permit placard. Just make sure you are familiar with the parking enforcement rules wherever you go.
Most importantly, if you see a parking violation relating to disabled parking, report it immediately. Parking in a handicapped space without a permit is not okay. Handicapped spaces keep Texans safe. If you see someone saddle up to that blue and white spot without displaying their handicapped parking placard, call it in. Be sure to include the time, place and license plate number of the fool who parked there. Not only is it rude, but it’s dangerous!
There is a special spot in Texas law for people who mess with disabled parking. Misuse of disabled parking space, theft of a disabled parking permit placard, or fraudulent attempts to gain a disabled parking permit are all punishable by up to $10,000 in fines or up to five years in jail. As the saying goes, don’t mess with Texas.