It can be easy to get lost in all the different information out on the internet about disabled parking. Each state has its laws, and rules and regulations can even be different from city to city. This can make navigating through all the information in your state tough.

Texas has a robust amount of regulations to enhance the experience of disabled parking permit users. Here is a helpful that breaks down all the best information you should know about disabled parking and permits in the lone-star state.

Facts You Need To Know

As stated previously, Texas has passed many bills to help the disabled. This is especially true for those who utilize disability parking. Here is a list of bills that have been passed to help those who are disabled.

Senate Bill 1984

This bill extends the authority to prescribe handicap parking placards. This is meant to conform to the Physician-PA practice laws that are active in Texas. This ensures that patients of Physician Assistants in a Physician-PA practice model will not be delayed in receiving a disabled parking permit

Senate Bill 1367

This bill authorizes a person who is licensed to practice optometry or therapeutic optometry to provide a notarized statement or written prescription that is required for a disabled parking permit for someone with a mobility issue caused by poor/impaired vision. 

Senate Bill 52

This bill increases penalties for illegal use of parking spaces for people with disabilities and allow the peace officer to seize the placard from an individual not authorized to use. This law protects the rights of those with a disability, it’s great that Texas passed this bill.

House Bill 3593

This bill authorizes a person entitled to license plates for disabled veterans to elect to receive standard license plates at the same cost as the disabled license plates. This is good to make sure that our veterans are getting the benefits they deserve. 

House Bill 3095

This bill simplifies enforcement and increases the fines for illegally parking in handicapped parking spaces from the original $250 to $500 to a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $750. It also increases the penalties (fines and community service) with each subsequent offense.

This just further protects the rights of those with a disability to parking in their designated spaces. It serves to sway people from parking in a designated space who don’t need it. 

House Bill 2020           

This bill authorizes a vehicle to be parking for an unlimited period in a parking space or area designated for the disabled if the vehicle displays license plates issued by other states in the U.S. The license plates must indicate that the owner or operator of the vehicle is a disabled veteran of the United States armed forces.  

House Bill 965

This bill entitles a veteran to register, for their use, any number of motor vehicles for which the registrant may be issued specialty license plates for disabled veterans and disabled parking placards.

This is better than what a lot of other states allow. Some states allow a person to have just one license plate. This isn’t ideal for someone who owns several vehicles. Texas fixes this issue with this bill.

House Bill 618

This bill exempts a vehicle with a specialty license plate for recipients of the Air Force Cross or Distinguished Service Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Medal of Honor, or the Legion of Merit medal from parking fees collected through a meter charged by a governmental authority other than the federal government. The vehicle must be driven by or for the transportation of the person who registered the vehicle.

This allows our disabled veterans who have been recognized can take their time when parking next to meters that are timed/require money. 

House Bill 400

This bill allows a grace period for a person cited for illegally parking a vehicle with an expired disabled parking placard by obtaining a valid placard within 20 workdays or before your first court date for the citation.

This is essentially the state recognizing that life happens and it’s not always possible to renew your placard before it expires. In these instances, Texas is understanding and you can take of any citation for an expired permit but simply renewing it.

Renewing Your Placard

Renewing your permanent placard is a simple process. But, you must know the process so that you can receive a valid placard promptly.

To renew your permanent placard you must complete and sign the affidavit portion of an application. This should be submitted along with a copy of the original application. You’ll need to send it off to the county tax office.

If you do not have a copy of the original application, you can submit the expiring placard in its place.

It should be noted that temporary placards cannot be renewed. If you find that you need a disabled parking permit longer than your temporary placard provides, you’ll need to reapply completely. This means another trip to a medical professional to recertify your disability.

Where To Place Your Placard

Your placards must always be hung from the rearview mirror while the vehicle is using a designated disabled parking space.

Remember to take the placard off of your rearview mirror while the vehicle is in motion. If you fail to do so, it could be seen as an obstruction to your vision. This could result in a citation, so be sure to follow the law and remove it when the vehicle is in motion.

Conclusion

Texas offers a robust variety of benefits for those who use disabled parking spaces, especially for those who are veterans. By now, you should know all the best information to help you or someone you know who has a disability.

Always follow the laws in your state and remember to check local city ordinances for additional information.