Have you been wondering how you can apply for your handicap parking pass? Relentlessly searching the internet and coming up short with answers, then you need to stop. If you are disabled in West Virginia, you’ll need to find a few resources available to you.
Throughout the country, the laws of Americans with Disabilities are different. Each state enacts their laws and each county or city have specific policies for you to abide by. If you live in West Virginia, keep reading this guide to help you receive your disability parking permit.
Why You Need to Research West Virginia’s Laws
You will need to know each step that you must take throughout the application process. The laws state specifics on what you need to accomplish before applying, during and after to continue to be a disability parking permit holder. To see if you qualify your mobility must be limited if you:
- Cannot walk 200 feet or more without rest
- Use portable oxygen
- Restrained from a lung disease
- A Class III or Class IV cardiac condition
- Restrictions due to arthritic, neurological or orthopedic disorder
- Cannot walk without a cane, brace, crutch, wheelchair or another person
In Addition, you must have a physician certify any of the conditions listed that pertain to your disability. Your physician will be the determining factor for which type of parking placard you will receive. You are able to apply as an individual or through an organization/facility that will provide you with transportation, on your behalf.
How are the Categories of Parking Placards Classified?
The West Virginia handicap laws require a medical certification from your physician. You will be placed as a temporary parking placard holder or a permanent holder. If your disability is expected to last for up to six months, you will be issued a temporary placard. Permanent disabilities allow you to have your parking placard for one to five years.
Temporary parking placards, after expiration, will need a new application and new medical recommendation from your physician to extend. Permanent parking placards are renewed every five years and do not require a new medical recommendation. Disabled license plates renewals are due at the time of your annual vehicle registration.
How to Complete the Application for Disability Parking Permits
You will need an application for Mobility Impaired Plate and Placard from your local West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. You can request this application to be mailed to you, visit your DMV branch, or download from the DMV website.
You must fill out the application to its entirety and submit in person or through the mail. If you choose to submit your application through mail, attach appropriate fees. You will be charged if you decide to select a Disabled License Plate. Your options are:
- One placard and one license plate
- Two placards
- Two license plates
- One placard or one license plate (you do not have to get two, but it’s your choice)
Remember to attach your doctor’s signed certification, as well.
What are Your Next Steps After Approval?
After all your information and application is approved, you will receive your placards through the mail. You will also be issued an ID card confirming you are a disabled individual. You must keep the ID card with you at all times, you’ll be obligated to show law enforcement or parking enforcement officers if requested.
If you applied for a temporary parking placard, your placard will be red in color with a “T” at the end of your number. Permanent parking placards are blue with a “P” at the end of your placard number. Keep in mind that you are only allowed to use your parking placards when you are parked. You must not hang your placard while driving.
Your parking placard will need to be hung in your rearview mirror of your vehicle with the expiration date showing through your windshield. Only you are permitted usage of your parking placards. Do not lend your placard to anyone and if you are using a ride-share, be sure you are the passenger.
Why You are Not Allowed to Lend Your Parking Placards
As stated in the West Virginia Accessible Parking Laws, lending your parking placards to anyone, falsifying your information on your applicating, forging a doctor’s signature and other misusage is punishable by criminal charges.
For any of the listed offenses, you will be charged with a Misdemeanor depending upon what number offense it will be. You may be sentenced up to one year in jail and will face fines in excess of $500. If you are found to have committed any offense and you are a placard holder, your placards will be revoked, and you are not eligible to reapply.
How to Replace Lost, Stolen, and Damaged Parking Placards
Life happens and if you must replace your placard due to loss, theft or damages of the permit, you are required to submit original placards to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. You will obtain new placards through the mail after you have satisfied all pre-requisite forms and information, dependent upon how the placard needs to be replaced.
Where are Your DMV Locations?
The state of West Virginia has many branches of the Division of Motor Vehicles available to you. If you need to visit in person, you should go to the branch closest to your home. To obtain an application, your state has offered easy access by providing downloadable documents. There are regional offices located in:
- Beckley
- Charles Town
- Clarksburg
- Elkins
- Flatwoods
- Fraklin
- Huntington
- Kanawha City
- Lewisburg
- Logan
- Martinsburg
- Moorefield
- Morgantown
- Moundsville
- Parkersburg
- Point Pleasant
- Princeton
- Romney
- Spencer
- Summersville
- Weirton
- Welch
- Williamson
- Winfield
Once you have found your jurisdictional Division of Motor Vehicles, collect all of your necessary paperwork, check to see that your application is completed with signatures, and submit. Carefully follow this guide to help you understand the application process and have knowledge for West Virginia’s Accessible Parking Laws. Contact your local DMV if you have further questions.