When you’re in a pinch and you need to get your disabled parking permit, you search for your best option. The United States set laws to abide by the ADA restrictions and procedures, though they may vary from state to state. You will need to research how your state laws effect your accessibility to achieve your disability parking permit.
Vermont has many working parts in its laws that you will need to review. You should follow the guide to assist you in determining your eligibility, usage, and gaining knowledge in this process. Your parking placards will decide who, how, when and where you are able to get them.
Who is Eligible to Receive Disability Parking Placards?
You’ll need verification from your physician to determine if you meet the qualifications. Research your local Department of Motor Vehicles for what application fits your needs. Vermont has three specific types of parking placards:
- Temporary
- Permanent
- Disabled License Plates
If you have already been determined as temporarily disabled, you will need a Temporary Disability Parking Placards Application and Medical Form, for your doctor. If you are not expected to recover from your condition, you are permanently disabled and will need a Disability Parking Placards Application and Universal Medical Evaluation Form. Your doctor will decide if you:
- Cannot walk more than 200 feet without rest
- Cannot see, or have worse than 20/200 vision
- Can see better than 20/200 vision, but need glasses
- Cannot walk without help from a person, cane, brace, crutch, wheelchair, or prosthetic device
- Have a chronic lung disease
- Require portable oxygen
- Have a Class III or Class IV heart condition
What are Disabled Parking License Plates?
You visited your doctor and found you have a perpetual disability and instead of applying for a parking placard, you want a license plate. You are able to apply for your disabled license plate, if your registration is valid and your ability to operate a vehicle is not restrained. An organization is able to apply for a disabled license plate on your behalf if you require this type of transportation.
How Do You Apply?
The first step for any application is to gather all of your paperwork. You will need your driver’s license or ID and fill out the entire application, be sure to include if you are applying for one or two placards. Your doctor will fill out your medical form and you may submit in person or by mail to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. After your application is received, you must be patient and allow four to six weeks processing time. You will receive your disability parking placards by mail, so please keep your address updated.
What Happens When You Receive Your Placards?
When you receive your parking placards you will also receive brochures full of information on using and any contact information needed in the future. You must be sure that you follow the rules for using your placards. While using the placard, hang it in the rearview mirror of your car, but do not use while your vehicle is in motion (this is a violation of Vermont Disability Parking Placards law).
You are permitted to park anywhere a handicapped accessible space is located throughout the state. Be sure you are parking in the correct space as they are color coded to your placards. Wheelchair dependent placard holders are light blue, permanent placard holders are dark blue and temporary placard holders are red.
- Renew
Permanent parking placards are up for renewal four years after you receive your original parking placard. Temporary parking placards will not be able to be renewed, if your condition worsens, then you will need a new medical certification from your physician to reapply and submit as a permanent disability.
How Do You Replace Placards if Lost, Stolen, or Damaged?
If your parking placard is damaged, you must take your placard to your local Department of Motor Vehicles and surrender. You will receive a new placard in the mail within six to ten days.
If your parking placard is stolen, you must file a report with law enforcement and identify specifics of the alleged theft. Get a copy of the police report to take to the DMV, along with your Driver’s License, and submit the correct form. If you lost your placard, follow the same rules as stolen property. Allow time to process, but you do not have to have your physician verify your disabilities again.
What Other Options are Available to You as a Placard Holder?
Vermont allows extra benefits to those of you that are disabled, written into law. As a parking permit holder, you have special privileges while filling your gas tank. The Vermont law, Gasoline Services to Disabled Persons, state:
- An attendant or service representative at gas stations and convenience stores are required to give you full-service, at your request.
- You get discounted prices on gasoline for your vehicle, even if you are full-serviced.
Although the law requires gas stations to follow the guidelines, if a station only has one operator and is self-owned, that station is exempt from the law. If the stations are not exempt, they will display the nationwide accessibility symbol at the station.
What Does the Law State for Misuse of Parking Placards?
As many other states assess fines and punitive damages, Vermont follows similar procedures. If you are found of misuse of your parking placard, you could be fined up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Any misuse or abuse of your disability parking placards could cause them to be revoked and you will not be able to reapply. No one may use your placard, even if you say they can (form of misuse and abuse of privilege).
If you allege abuse of a parking permit, you are directed to report to your local police department. You must file a report and offer details surrounding the allegation.
How to Move Forward
Once all information is evaluated, do a little research into Vermont’s laws. You will need to know what is expected of you as a disabled person. These rules outlined will help you receive your disability parking placards or plates.