Disabled parking in the Evergreen state begins with determining your eligibility. Washington residents with conditions that hinder their ability to walk may qualify for a disabled parking permit. These disabled parking permits are issued on either a temporary or permanent basis, depending on the needs of the applicant. Temporary placards last for six months.
These disabled parking permit placards allow you to park in the handicapped reserved spaces all around town, getting you closer to the door and granting you extra room to load and unload your vehicle.
Everywhere you go from banks, grocery stores and shopping malls have disabled parking spaces available for you to use. This is just one more way Washington state looks out for the wellbeing of its residents. If you struggle to walk more than 200 feet without assistance, you may qualify for the disabled parking permit program under Washington guidelines.
How Do I Qualify For Washington Disabled Parking?
Disabled parking permit placards grant the user the right to park in the handicapped spaces found in most parking lots across the state of Washington and the greater United States. These spaces are typically closer to the door and have an isle of space next to them for loading and unloading from vans.
It is only natural, then, that disabled parking permits be issued to people who experience difficulty walking more than 200 feet or who rely on ambulatory assistive devices such as a wheelchair or walker. Of course, there are lots of possible injuries, illnesses, conditions, and disabilities that could inhibit your ability to walk. According to the Washington Department of Motor Vehicles, here are some of the main reasons you might qualify for a disabled parking permit in the state of Washington.
- Risk of or history of heart attack, stroke or other major cardiac illness
- Reliance on an assistive device, such as a wheelchair, walker or cane
- Use of a prosthesis or brace
- Full or partial paralysis or amputation
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or other severe respiratory distress
- Reliance on supplemental oxygen
- Legal blindness
- Neurological conditions causing seizures or sudden and uncontrolled loss of muscle tone
This is not a complete list, and no such list exists. If you believe you may qualify for the disabled parking permit program, you should talk to your doctor to determine your eligibility.
If you have a temporary but severe injury, such as a broken leg or a back injury that prevents you from walking easily and without pain, you may qualify for a temporary disabled parking permit placard.
Who Can Sign a Physician Signed Certificate?
Once you have determined that you are eligible for either the permanent placard or the temporary placard, your next step is to talk to your doctor and obtain a physician signed certificate.
Your physician signed certificate, the paperwork you need to prove your eligibility for the disabled parking permit program, is available from more than just your doctor. Alongside your primary care physician, there are many competent caregivers who work closely together as a part of a healthcare team. Many of them, such as nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants can also sign your documents.
Those of you who see specialists in relation to your disability can also have your paperwork signed by your specialist. That could be anyone from a physical therapist to an optometrist, depending on your condition. If they see you for it, they can verify it.
If you are unsure who to see, the easiest choice is a virtual visit. Virtual visits put you in touch with the best caregivers in the state of Washington right from your home. They are ideal if you know exactly what you need, such as your disabled parking permit eligibility exam.
How Do I File My Washington Paperwork?
Once you have gotten your physician signed certificate from a Washington state medical professional, you are ready to file with the Washington Department of Motor Vehicles. Filing can be done by mail or in person at a local Department of Motor Vehicles office. For both temporary and permanent placards, you must file your physician signed certificate along with form TD-420-073.
Once you have filed, you will be presented with a disabled parking permit placard. Temporary placards last six months, after which you will need to apply again with a new physician signed certificate if you still need disabled parking. Permanent placards expire every four years and can be renewed by mail. Placards are provided free of charge by the state of Washington and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you qualify for the permanent disabled parking permit placard, you may opt to purchase a disabled parking permit license plate. This will cost $32.75 in addition to normal license plate renewal fees.
You may also opt to purchase disabled parking tabs for $13.75. These are stickers you place on your license plate which show your disabled parking permit status and the date of expiration.
The advantage of the disabled parking permit license plate and tabs over the placard is that they are always displayed, and there is no risk of forgetting to display them. They are, of course, optional.
Remember that failure to display your disabled parking permit placard could come with a fine or cause you to lose your disabled parking permit. Be sure to always display your disabled parking permit while parked.
Be aware that while it may seem convenient to leave your disabled parking permit placard hanging from your rearview mirror at all times, this is an obstruction of view and could land you with a ticket. Remember, safety first.
If you are eligible for the disabled parking permit program but are not using it, you are putting yourself at increased risk for falls every time your park. The state of Washington and the Department of Motor Vehicles want you to be safe and happy. If you believe you may be eligible for a disabled parking permit, talk to your doctor about your eligibility.