Mississippi is a state steeped richly in history and culture. This proud state located in the Deep South of the United States is famed for being not only the birthplace of blues music in the beginning of the twentieth century but also the place where Elvis Presley was born (the city of Tupelo, Mississippi).

Delta blues, one of the earliest forms of blues music, originated in the Mississippi Delta. Guitar and harmonica are two of the most dominant instruments used in Delta blues music, and Delta blues is also famous for its use of the slide guitar technique. Renowned Delta blues musicians include Charley Patton, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Robert Johnson, Willie Brown, Howlin’ Wolf, Tommy Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, and B.B. King, who is known as the King of the Blues.

In addition to Delta blues, the banjo and the fiddle are folk instruments common to the state of Mississippi. Other forms of music which owe some of their roots to Mississippi are the country music, the gospel music, and the Appalachian folk music genres. And of course, you can’t forget the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley himself, who was born in Mississippi in 1935.

Aside from its rich and varied musical history, Mississippi is also rife with cultural landmarks, historical war memorials and wartime sites, vibrant city scenes, grand architecture, and stunning natural landscapes. And you can’t forget that delicious southern cooking, with everything from comfort food to barbecue to fried catfish.

There is something for everyone in Mississippi. It is, after all, nicknamed “the Hospitality State.” The inhabitants of Mississippi are known for being generous, and Mississippi has the highest rate of charitable contributions per capita. The state of Mississippi truly embodies the sense of community, so it is no surprise that its residents and those traveling in Mississippi who may have a disability are similarly cared for.

Read on to discover how you can get a disabled parking permit in the great state of Mississippi.

Laws and Regulations

If you are applying for a disabled parking permit, you will need a medical professional to certify that you are actually disabled. If you provide fraudulent information on your application for receiving a handicap parking permit, you may face a confiscated permit, serious fines, and even potential jail time. Mississippi laws frown seriously upon those who take parking permits away from those who might need them. Similarly, those who park in a space designated as handicap parking but who do not display a disabled parking permit will be subject to citations or fines.

When you are using a disabled parking placard, you have to hang it from the rearview mirror of your car where it will be completely visible. If your car does not possess a rearview mirror, you must display the placard obviously and visibly on the dashboard of your car when you are parked in a handicap spot. Remove the placard before you start driving again, as it is against the law to have the placard hanging from your mirror while the car is in motion.

Permit Types

The state of Mississippi has four kinds of disabled parking permits available to those who are qualified:

  • A permanent disability license plate lasts for up to five years.
  • A temporary disability placard lasts for up to six months.
  • A permanent disability placard lasts for up to five years.
  • A disabled veteran license plate lasts for up to five years. This form of permit is available to veterans whose disability has been certified by Veterans’ Affairs to be completely a result of their service to the country.

Eligible Disabilities

The state of Mississippi will only grant disabled parking permits to the individuals who truly need them, so that their quality of life will truly be improved and their parking spots will not be taken by those who are not actually disabled. But who is actually considered disabled by the state of Mississippi?

If you cannot walk 200 feet or more without stopping to rest or you can’t walk without the use of an assistive device such as a walker, crutch, or cane, you qualify for the permit. Also, those who have a severe heart condition, are restricted by severe lung disease, or need to use a portable oxygen tank qualify for the disabled permit as well. Furthermore, if you are severely limited in your ability to walk because of a neurological, arthritic, or orthopedic condition, you are also eligible for a disabled parking permit.

Applying for a Permit

In order to apply for a disabled parking permit from the state of Mississippi, get a copy of the Disabled Parking Application, also known as Form 76-104, and bring it with you to visit a licensed physician or a nurse practitioner, both of whom are qualified to certify you as disabled. After the physician or nurse practitioner examines you and determines that you are disabled, he or she will fill out and sign the certification portion of Form 76-104 (Section 1), which will serve as your certification.

Bring this signed form with you to your local Mississippi County Tax Collector’s Office, as you will usually need to make the application in person (although under special circumstances some may be able to apply by mail). The deputy or tax collector will fill out Section 2 of the form, and you will fill out Section 3 and sign it. You will be instructed to pay the applicable fee (free for placards, $1 for Disabled Veteran plates, and standard registration fees for license plates).

If you need to renew or replace your permit when it expires or gets lost or stolen, get in touch with your local Mississippi Department of Revenue office to determine how you can reapply; they will let you know if you need to reapply by mail or in person.

If you are reapplying for a permanent permit of any kind, you will not need to get certified again by a physician or nurse practitioner; only reapplications for temporary permits need a recertification of your disability.

If you believe you qualify for a handicap permit, do not hesitate to apply straightaway to receive the gracious hospitality of the state of Mississippi.