The most important rule of thumb to follow when dealing with state, local, and federal government is to research, research, research. Be sure you are not in violation of any rule or ordinance from your judicial branch. Check your state for your accessibility to receive a handicap parking permit.
What are Your Disability Rights?
Under federal law, you have civil rights as a disabled person. Special parking accommodations and accessibility to public places are governed under the ADA. To see the laws, do some research for your particular condition within your state and throughout the country.
Life can be hard if you are disabled, you may need some help from time to time with parking, transportation, voting, housing, and so on. You should review the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Rev. 2008 for your consumer rights.
When it comes to being able to park in reserved spaces, you must apply for the service through your local DMV. Your access is defined within your state and local government.
Where are the DMV Offices?
West Virginia maintains its reputation by upholding and adding reasonable accommodations for you. The Division of Motor Vehicles Regional Offices are available throughout each county for ease of use. You have the option to visit in person, chat online, mail and call into consumer services for anything you need assistance with when applying and submitting your Parking Application for Mobility Impaired Persons.
What You Need to Qualify
Assess your situation, visit your medical provider for verification of your disability, and collect all identifiable documentation. Your doctor will provide necessary information for each of your ailments and decide if you are temporarily or permanently disabled.
- Do you need assistance with walking 200 feet or more, using a cane, brace, crutch or wheelchair?
- Do you have a serious lung disease that doesn’t allow you to breathe properly or use portable oxygen?
- Have you been diagnosed with a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition as defined by the American Heart Association?
- Is your mobility limited because of a neurological, orthopedic, or arthritic disability?
If your doctor answered yes to any of the above questions, you are eligible to receive a disabled parking placard through West Virginia.
What Rules Apply to Your Parking Placards and Plates?
The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles requires you to pay a fee of $5 for any disabled license plates you request. If you are a disabled veteran, you are eligible for an accessible parking plate. You will need a verification letter from the Veteran’s Administration stating you are 100% disabled from a military service-connected disability.
You will need to wait up to six weeks for your application to be processed and will receive your parking placards through the mail after approval from the Commissioner. All temporary placards are red and end in a “T”, while permanent placards are blue and end in a “P”.
Temporary placards are not able to be renewed, but you can reapply for a new parking placard with a new recommendation verifying your needs from your doctor. Permanent placards are eligible for renewal every five-year period. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail 30 days before the expiration of your original placard.
For all disabled license plates, you must renew every 12 months and provide adequate vehicle information. You must have a current and valid inspection and insurance policy. Do not operate your vehicle with expired plates, insurance or inspection stickers. You will be ticketed and fined.
What to Do If You Need Replacement Parking Placards
If your parking placard is lost or stolen, report it to your police department and receive a copy of the filed report. You must submit your information, placard numbers and other identifying documents to the Division of Motor Vehicles for new placards. All replacement placards will cost you $10 per placard.
If your parking placard is damaged, faded, or illegible you must take your damaged placard to return and receive new placards. In the event your lost and stolen placards are recovered, you must turn them into the DMV. Any old placard numbers are cancelled and will not be able to protect your rights and safety if you try to use them.
Where You are Allowed to Park in West Virginia with Disabled Placards
Once you receive the placards and you use them, you must hang the placard in your rearview mirror. If you don’t have a rearview mirror, place the parking placard on your dashboard. Remember, your entire placard must be able to be seen by any parking enforcers or police officers. The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicle will have issued an Identification Card that you must carry on your person any time you utilize a disabled parking space.
Accessible parking spaces are available for any vehicle with appropriate permit use. You may be exempt from metered spaces but it’s best that you check the rules for those spots. Any larger space with stripes is accessible for vans and wheelchair dependent disabled persons.
Your disability parking placards, and license plates have the universal symbol for mobility impaired individuals. You are permitted use of your placards in all 50 states under the Americans with Disabilities guidelines and federal law. Additionally, some bordering countries accept your parking permits; be sure to follow the laws when traveling.
What are the Consequences If You Misuse Your Parking Permits?
The laws set forth urge you not to allow any person access to your parking placards. If you are caught you could be charged and receive fines in excess of $500. If you lie about any part of your application, you face criminal charges classified as misdemeanors or larger and could face up to a year in a state jail facility. Always follow the rules, parking permits are a privilege and can be revoked if you abuse the accommodations.
What You Need to Finish
Allow an appropriate timeframe after submitting your application. Know your laws and rights as a disabled person nationally and locally. If you still have questions and concerns contact your local DMV.