Having the luxury to park whenever, wherever may be difficult if you are disabled. Fortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act was founded and implemented in 1996, allowing you to be able to park closer to your destinations. Disabilities effect Americans throughout our nation and you must follow your states guidelines to access a handicap parking permit.
What Qualifies as a Disability?
If you live in Vermont, you’re likely following some standard policies that reign throughout the nation for disabled persons. Remember, you must have some sort of restriction regarding your mobility, to receive a special parking permit. You will need to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles for your specific rules and eligibility qualifications.
Analyze the below list to see if you qualify:
- You cannot walk without resting for 200 feet or more
- You have a dangerous lung disease
- You must use a cane, crutch, brace, wheelchair, or another person to walk
- You need portable oxygen
- You have a harsh cardiac condition Class III or Class IV
- You have harsh walking conditions related to arthritis, and neurological and orthopedic disorders
- You have a vision scale of 20/200
- Your vision is improved of 20/200, but you cannot see at an angle less than 20 degrees
What’s Next After You Meet the Criteria?
You have assessed your disability, but now you must visit your medical health care provider. The most important part of your application depends on how your doctor rates your needs, based on your condition. Your doctor will fill out his part of the application to determine if you are in need of a disabled parking placard, temporarily or permanently.
If your disorder meets the expectations of a temporary disability, you will be permitted use of a parking placard not exceeding six months. You will need an application form for Temporary Disability Parking Placards and a medical form.
If your disability is expected to last longer than a year, your doctor will establish you as having a permanent ailment. You will fill out the Disabled Parking Placard Application and obtain a Universal Medical Evaluation/Progress Report Form, for your physician to complete.
As a permanent disabled person, you may choose to receive a disabled license plate over a parking placard. You will need to fill out the Registration/Tax/Title Application and the Universal Medical Evaluation/Progress Report Form.
How Do You Submit Your Forms and Applications?
Before applying, you should gather all of your documents to confirm your disabilities. You’ll need a copy of your driver’s license, vehicle registration (if you’re applying for plates), and any other paperwork the application asks for. Once all the necessary information has been satisfied, you must submit your application to your local Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles branch, in person or by mail.
Where are the DMV Locations?
Prior to submitting your forms and applications, you need to find a Department of Motor Vehicles location near you. You can access the branch information by Google or any other search site, online. Luckily, there are 11 locations you can visit throughout the state:
- Montpelier
- Bennington
- Dummerston
- Middlebury
- Newport
- Rutland
- Saint Albans
- Saint Johnsbury
- South Burlington
- Springfield
- White River Junction
How to Renew or Replace Your Parking Permits?
Vermont offers individuals with disabilities up to two parking placards when you first apply. Check your local laws to determine how to renew, but generally follow these specifics:
- Temporary Parking Placards are non-renewable
- Permanent Parking Placards are renewed every four years
- Disabled License Plates are renewed every three years
In the event your placard is lost, stolen or damaged and you will need to have your parking placard replaced. When your placard is damaged, you must visit your DMV branch with your damaged placard for a replacement. If you do not take your placard, you will not be able to replace it.
If you lost your parking placard, you’ll need your receipt from your original placard and submit an application for replacement. You do not need a new medical certification from your physician as long as you have your original parking placard receipt. Your new placard will arrive through the mail ranging from four to six weeks after your request.
If your parking placard was stolen, you must report to your local police station to file a complaint. You will need a copy of the police report, your driver’s license, and any other information necessary to file for a stolen placard. Again, you need a copy of your original receipt to bypass a new medical certification.
How You Use Your Disability Parking Placards
In Vermont, each parking placard is color coded as defined in your state laws. Temporary disability parking placards are red, permanent parking placards are dark blue, and if you are using a wheelchair, your parking permit will be light blue.
You may be a passenger of a vehicle when using your parking placard, but you must be present in the vehicle. You are not allowed to let anyone borrow your parking placard on your behalf. When parked in a handicap accessible space, be sure to hang your placard in your rearview mirror so that the expiration date is visible through your windshield.
What You Can Face if Your Parking Placards are Abused
As explained above, you are in violation of misusing your disabled parking placards if you allow anyone other than yourself to borrow your placard. You will be held in contempt of use and have the possibility of having your parking placards revoked. You could also face fines and criminal punishment if you continuously abuse the use of your parking placards.
If you deceive the Department of Motor Vehicles by lying to obtain a parking placard, you will face excessive fines and possible jail time. If you suspect abuse or misuse, you are directed to contact the police and provide adequate information of the suspected allegation. Keep in mind that if your parking placard is expired, you are not permitted use until you receive your new parking placards.
What to Do Next
Remember to always follow your state and local laws when applying or using your parking placards. If you need to visit your DMV location, research branches and determine your closest one. If you don’t know what you need, review the guides described above.