The state of Vermont and the Department of Motor Vehicles offers disabled parking permits to any resident with disabilities relating to their safety walking. These disabled parking permits grant access to the handicapped spaces found in nearly every parking lot in Vermont, and the greater United States.
Spaces reserved for disabled permit parking, or handicapped spaces, are typically closer to the door and have an extra lane beside them for the loading and unloading of wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Use of these spaces is essential for persons with difficulty walking more than 200 feet unassisted.
The state of Vermont is committed to the safety and comfort of all residents, and that is what the disabled parking permit is all about. If you are a Vermont resident with difficulty walking more than 200 feet, look no further. In three simple steps, you will be parking closer to the door all over the Green Mountain State.
- Determine your eligibility
- Obtain your physician signed certificate
- File with the Department of Motor Vehicles
If those steps sound daunting, have no fear. Read the simple guide below to obtain your disabled parking permit.
How do I Qualify For Vermont Disabled Parking?
Disabled parking permits are for people with ambulatory disabilities. That is trouble walking more than 200 feet without help, pain, or risk of falling. Not sure if you qualify? Take a look at this list and see if you recognize yourself in it.
- Partial or full amputation or paralysis
- Use of a brace or prosthesis
- Reliance on an ambulatory assistive device including wheelchair, walker or cane
- Legal blindness
- A class III or IV cardiac condition such as a history of heart attack or stroke
- A severe and limiting respiratory disease such as a form of COPD
- Reliance on supplemental oxygen
- Conditions causing dizziness or affecting balance
- Seizures or sudden and uncontrolled loss of muscle tone
- Any other condition causing severe pain or difficulty walking more than 200 feet
If one or more of those sounds like you, you may qualify for a Vermont disabled parking permit.
To obtain your permit, you will need to obtain a physician signed certificate. This certificate is a legal document stating the nature, severity, and duration of your disability.
Most applicants are seeking a disabled parking permit due to a chronic or lifelong condition. However, if you have had a serious injury such as a broken leg or a back injury, you might be eligible for a temporary permit. If so, the process is the same. You will need a physician signed certificate.
The name of that certificate is somewhat misleading. Many medical providers can sign that document for you, including most specialists that are part of your care team. If you see a chiropractor or a physical therapist for treatment relating to your disability, that caregiver can provide you with the physician signed certificate you need to file with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
The quickest and easiest way to get your physician signed certificate is through a virtual visit. Virtual visits put you in touch with the most qualified Vermont practitioners in the most convenient and streamlined way possible. Right from the comfort of your home, you can be seen by a licensed medical practitioner within minutes.
How Do I File My Paperwork in Vermont?
Once you have your physician signed certificate, the road forks just a bit. Consult the chart below to find out which form to file.
Temporary placard
TA-VL-38
Permanent placard
TA-VD-119
Permanent license plate
TA-VA-113
In all three cases, you will need a photo I.D and a physician signed certificate. Then, based on your needs, you will be issued the placard that is right for you.
Temporary placards last six months, after which you will need to start the process over, physician signed certificate included, if you still need access.
Permanent placards have to be renewed every four years, but you won’t need another physician signed certificate.
If your placard is lost or stolen, report it right away. Not only will the Department of Motor Vehicles provide you with a new placard, but they will list the serial number of your old placard as lost or stolen. Stolen placards can be used to park illegally, which is a serious offense. People parking illegally in disabled parking spaces take that space away from people with a legitimate need.
Over 500,000 people in the United States were hospitalized for a fall last year. When a disabled person is denied the use of a disabled parking space, their risk of falls is increased, which can be fatal in worse case scenarios. That is why the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles and the Vermont Police Department take the offense so seriously.
Disabled Parking Rules of Vermont
Once you have your disabled parking permit, make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities.
You must display your placard prominently while parked. That means on the dashboard or hanging from the rearview mirror. One of the advantages of the disabled parking permit license plate is that it is always on display. Failure to display your parking permit could result in a large fine, or having your placard taken away. Make sure you don’t forget!
Your parking permit placard must not be hung from your rearview mirror while driving. Parking placards, along with air fresheners and other ornaments are considered an obstruction of view. Hanging anything from your rearview mirror could land you with a ticket.
Remember that your Vermont disabled parking permit is valid in all fifty states, so feel free to take it on the road! Just make sure when traveling that you always check local parking rules. The one thing that always stays the same is disabled parking. If you see a blue and white wheelchair icon, that space is for you.
If you struggle to walk more than 200 feet unassisted, make sure to be evaluated for eligibility to the disabled parking permit program. Not only will your trips to the grocery store become easier, it may even save your life.