When you’re disabled and not able to move around freely without some help, you start to wonder what types of benefits are available to you. One of the most common assistance programs under United States government is obtaining a handicap parking permit. Fortunately, for disabled persons like you, the Americans with Disabilities Act was written into the Constitution in 1990.

Each state has their own specific laws under the federal government law regarding disabled parking permits and your rights as a disabled person. You will need to perform some research to help you along the way, when applying for your permit. The assisted outline will guide you through your process as an additional aide.

What Rights Do You Have in Virginia?

If your ability to walk is impaired or non-existent, handicap accessible spaces are available to you. You must qualify for these parking placards. Virginia placed special regulations for those of you that are disabled and unable to have full mobility.

All parking spaces that are reserved for people with disabilities are not metered for up to four hours of parking usage. This means you do not have to pay to park your vehicle with proper placard usage for up to four hours depending upon the time limit for the meters.

What Criteria You Must Meet for a Disability Parking Permit

As in all states, there are a list of ailments that require you to be eligible to apply for a handicap parking permit. You will need to take a trip to your physician to verify your conditions, this is required on your application. Check the list of criteria below for eligibility:

  • If you are unable to walk without rest for 200 feet or more
  • Your mobility requires assistance from a cane, brace, crutch, wheelchair or another person
  • Your ability to walk is restricted due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic disorder
  • You have a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition
  • You have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
  • You are legally deaf and/or blind
  • You have a delay in mental judgment or any other memory problem, or have a form of Autism

What Types of Disability Parking Permits are Issued?

Virginia is one of the few states that possess several different categories of disabled parking permits. Don’t panic, this means you have options on which parking permit best suits your needs. There are five choices for your physician to decide. Each type will be explained later for clarification of specifics.

  • Temporary Parking Placards
  • Permanent Parking Placards
  • Disabled License Plates
  • Disabled Veterans Plates
  • Institutional Placards

How Does Each Parking Permit Work for You?

In order to determine the type of parking placard you are eligible for; your doctor must fill out your medical certification of your application. You are not permitted to determine the type of placard, only your physician.

Temporary disability parking placards are not eligible to renew and are valid for up to six months. Additionally, if you need a new parking placard and you are still temporarily disabled, you must fill out a new application and get a new medical certification from your physician.

Permanent disabled parking placards are eligible to renew online, in person, or by mail every five years. You do not need a new medical certification, unless your condition has worsened. You must renew no later than two months after your parking placard expires.

Disabled parking plates are valid until registration of your vehicle is due. You must renew at each year that your registration for your car expires. Your inspection of your vehicle must be kept current in order to renew. Disabled Veteran’s license plates follow the same standards.

Institutional parking placards and/or plates are valid for up to five years and are non-renewable. Like temporary parking placards, if you need a new placard, you are required to submit a new application. Then, every five years after, you are required to submit new applications for these parking placards/plates.

What is the Process to Apply for a Parking Placard?

As described, you will need to assess if you meet the qualifications by visiting your doctor and asking for a recommendation (medical certification). You will need to fill out the correct application form as required by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. When your application is completed to its entirety, you will need to submit either in person or through the mail. Application processing takes about six to eight weeks.

  • After your parking placard is received, it’s best that you hang the placard on your rearview mirror inside your vehicle and be sure your expiration date is visible to passers-by

How Do You Replace Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Parking Placards?

Though it may seem redundant, the process to replace your disabled parking placards remains the same as renewing them. You will need to submit new applications and new medical certifications through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

  • You must pay $5 for original, renewal, or replacement disability parking placards
  • If your placard is stolen, contact your local police department to file a report and attach a copy and your driver’s license to your application for submission
  • Fines for Misuse or abuse of parking placards range from $200-$1,000 and may incur additional criminal punishment

Where are the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Offices?

You must decide if you are applying in person or by mail, if you apply in person you have multiple locations to choose from. Throughout the state DMV branches are located in each county; choose the one closest to your residence. If you are submitting your application through the mail address to:

DMV
P.O. BOX 85815
Richmond, VA 23285

What to Do Next

After reading the outline, thoroughly, you should have better knowledge to perform your process of your application. You’ll need your identifiable information and attach all documents, fees and medical certifications. If you have additional requests, it’s always best that you contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles office.