The North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles issues disabled parking permits to anyone with difficulty walking more than 200 feet. These permits are issued on a temporary basis lasting up to three months, or on a permanent basis. Note that permanently disabled parking permits must be renewed every three years with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you have a condition or an injury that prevents you from walking safely and pain-free for more than 200 feet, you may qualify for the North Dakota disabled parking permit program. If you qualify, you must obtain a physician signed certificate verifying your disability and file it with a local Department of Motor Vehicles office to receive your disabled parking permit.
Disabled parking permit placards issued on a permanent basis are provided free of charge to North Dakota Residents. Parking permit placards issued on a temporary basis come with a $2 fee. Disabled parking permit holders who wish to purchase a disabled parking permit license plate may do so for $5.
How Do I Qualify for Disabled Parking in North Dakota?
Disabled parking in North Dakota is reserved for persons with difficulty ambulating more than 200 feet. This could be due to a neurological condition, or a physical disability. Here are some examples of chronic conditions recognized by the state of North Dakota as an ambulatory disability.
- Partial or total loss of limb or limb functionality
- A serious cardiac condition (class III or IV) including heart attack or stroke
- Inability to walk more than 200 feet without stopping or the risk of falling
- Reliance on supplemental oxygen, or a severe breathing difficulty in motion or at rest
- Reliance on or use of an ambulatory assistive device such as a cane, walker, brace or wheelchair
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including emphysema and bronchitis
- Legal blindness or severe vision impairment
- Conditions causing seizures, dizziness or sudden loss of muscle tone
If you have experienced an illness or injury that affects you seriously for more than three weeks, you may qualify for a disabled parking permit issued on a temporary basis. These three-month placards are issued commonly to persons who have experienced a broken bone or are recovering from surgery.
Ultimately, this decision is based on the recommendation of a qualified North Dakota medical provider. Talk with your doctor about your needs and concerns to determine eligibility.
Who Can Sign a Physician Certificate in North Dakota?
The physician signed certificate that must be filed with the North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles can be signed by several other qualified North Dakota Providers. Physicians’ assistants and advanced practice registered nurses may also sign this document. During a regularly scheduled visit with your primary care team, ask about disabled parking permits and your eligibility.
If you receive care from a specialist concerning your disability, such as a chiropractor, physical therapist or optometrist, they may also sign for you.
If you are not currently seeing a primary care team, or you want to skip the hassles and wait for an office visit, don’t worry. Many North Dakota providers are standing by to see you through a virtual visit. You can obtain your physician signed certificate quickly and easily from the comfort of your home by meeting virtually with a qualified North Dakota provider.
How Do I File North Dakota Disabled Parking Paperwork?
After obtaining your physician signed certificate, you must file it with the North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain your disabled parking permit. Disabled parking permit applications are filed in person at a North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles office. You must complete form SNF 02886 and attach your physician signed certificate.
Once filed, applicants eligible for a permanent placard will receive one free of charge, and it will last for three years, after which it can be renewed by mail. Applicants eligible for a temporary placard must pay $2. Temporary placards are valid for three months, after which you will be required to obtain a new physician signed certificate if you still need disabled parking. Permanent placard holders wishing to purchase a disabled parking permit license plate may do so for $5. This license plate will need to be renewed the same way as your regular license plate.
Disabled Parking in North Dakota
The North Dakota disabled parking permit program was designed for the safety and comfort of residents and visitors alike. If you struggle to walk more than 200 feet due to a disability or chronic condition, be sure and obtain your North Dakota disabled parking permit.
In every North Dakota community, you will find the familiar blue and white disabled parking signs. These disabled parking spaces are provided to prevent falls, particularly in icy or wet conditions. With your North Dakota disabled parking permit placard, you are granted the right to park in these spaces in any car you travel in, not just your own.
Be sure when parking to display your disabled parking permit placard prominently. Failure to do so is a parking violation, and you may be subject to a fine. Popular choices for display are the dashboard, or hanging from the rear-view mirror.
Remember that you must not hang your disabled parking permit placard from your rearview while driving, as it is an obstruction of view, and could be dangerous. Doing so could subject you to a fine.
Your disabled parking permit grants you these parking privileges not just in North Dakota, but in any state you travel to. Likewise, visitors from other states who have disabled parking permits in their home state may use North Dakota disabled parking spaces.
If you witness someone park in a designated disabled parking space who fails to display a disabled parking permit placard, report this violation immediately to local law enforcement. Remember that not all people look disabled, so if a driver presents a disabled parking permit placard, it is best not to accuse them of wrongdoing. But if you see a violation, note the location, time and license plate number and call your local police station right away.