Understanding the world of disabled parking permits is tough. The rules and regulations for who can own a disabled parking permit vary from state to state. Even some cities have their own rules for who can own a disabled parking permit.

This ocean of information is a lot to dive into it. So, here is a helpful guide in navigating your way to getting your disabled parking permit.

Who Is Eligible?

This is the first step in obtaining your disabled parking permit in Texas. Texas, like all other states, have their qualifications for who can own a disabled parking permit.

It’s important to understand if you can qualify for a permit before you apply. Applying incorrectly or inappropriately can be detrimental to receiving a disabled parking permit promptly. An applicant must meet at least one or more of the criteria.

With that in mind, here are the qualifications to own a disabled parking permit in Texas:

  • You must have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses.
  • You must have a visual acuity of more than 20/200 but with a limited field of vision in which the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle of 20 degrees or less.
  • You must have a mobility problem that substantially impairs your ability to move around. Here are some examples of problems that can cause this:
  • Paralysis
  • Lung disease
  • Cardiac deficiency
  • Wheelchair confinement
  • Arthritis
  • Foot disorder
  • Other medical condition causing a person to use a brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive devices.

While these qualifications may seem complicated and perhaps even difficult to obtain, Texas has a more lenient set of standards compared to other states. Some other states require disabilities to meet certain classifications from other organizations. However, as you can see, Texas has a broader definition of what may classify as a qualifying disability.

 

How To Apply

Now that you understand who exactly can apply, it’s imperative to know where and how you can apply to obtain a disabled parking permit as quickly as possible.

To obtain an application for a plate and/or placard you must pick up an application from your local county tax assessor-collector’s office. The application is also called the VTR-214 Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate.

After you’ve retried your application, it’s time to visit a healthcare professional. You must have your doctor or healthcare provider complete the “Disability Statement” section of the application you’ve just picked up. They’ll certify which qualification(s) you meet for a disabled parking permit.

Once you’ve fully completed your application and had a medical professional complete their appropriate section, it’s time to turn it in. You’ll need to submit the completed application, and any applicable payment, to your county tax office or the county tax office where you are seeking medical treatment.

Finally, once you’ve submitted your documents, it’s a waiting game. Soon you’ll be the happy owner of a disabled parking permit.

However, it’s also important to know the best practices for owning one of these permits. Let’s dive into some helpful information once you have your permit.

 

Renewals

A permanent placard is only valid for a certain amount of time. When the time comes to renew your permanent placard you’ll have to complete the Affidavit portion of a new application. You won’t have to complete the disability statement (no more trips to the doctor!) But, you do need to include another signature.

Once you’ve completed that document, you must submit a copy of the original application, along with the new application, to your county tax office or the county tax office where you are seeking medical treatment.

I Don’t Have My Original Application, Who Keeps That?

Don’t sweat it, it happens all the time. If you’ve found that you don’t have the original copy of your application for a disabled parking permit, you can submit your expiring placard(s) to your county tax office or the county tax office where you are seeking medical treatment.

It should be noted that temporary placards are not able to be renewed. If you find that you need your parking permit for longer than the temporary placard lasts, you’ll need to reapply for a new placard and through the entire process again.

This provides a simple and effective way to quickly get a replacement placard.

 

Lost/Stolen/Damaged Placards

Sometimes life happens and you may lose your permit, have it stolen, or it simply wears down. If this happens, it means you’ll need to get a replacement. Thankfully there is an easy process to get one.

If you need to replace a placard you’ll need to submit a photocopy of your original application to the local county tax assessor-collector’s office. If you do not have a photocopy of the original application, or the office can’t verify that the placard was issued, you’ll have to completely reapply for a new placard.

Which Parking Spaces Can I Use?

There’s still just a couple things left for you to understand to gain all the benefits from your disabled parking permit. Here is the breakdown of who can use which disabled parking spaces:

Temporary Permits

It’s important to know that people who own a temporary parking placard will have their placard be red. Those with this permit may only park their vehicles in disabled parking spaces colored red. However, you can use the blue designated spaces if those are the only available.

Permanent Permits

Those with a permanently disabled parking permit can park their vehicles in either blue or red spaces.

Conclusion

You should now understand all the ins and outs of disabled parking in Texas. Remember to follow all applicable laws and to check your local ordinances for any additional information.