DMV Fines Almost 500 Drivers Caught Misusing Disabled Parking Placards

The California Department of Motor Vehicles caught 491 people misusing disabled person parking placards last month, authorities said. The majority of those offenses were found during five sweeps at the Los Angeles County Fair, which resulted in 443 citations. DMV investigators said they have checked 5,422 disabled person parking placards since July. Of those, 640 were used improperly. We ask you to save the space for those individuals who legitimately need a disabled person parking placard that is issued specifically for their use,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a statement. The DMV holds as many as 24 enforcement operations each month throughout the state targeted at curbing the abuse of disabled parking placards. The state has issued 2.9 million placards and special license plates that allow motorists with medical disabilities to park in disabled parking spots and curbside in metered areas. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown approved legislation aimed at preventing placard fraud. The legislation requires the DMV to annually compare its record of disabled placards against the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File as well as state databases of the deceased. The measure calls for quarterly audits of applications for placards that will cross-check them with medical records, and mandates that those applying provide proof of their true full name and date of birth. The move also prohibits the DMV from issuing replacement placards to the same person more than four times in a two-year period. Those who apply more often must submit a new certificate of disability.

If it isn’t meant to be hung, the placard or permit should be placed face-up on the dashboard, to the left of the steering wheel. Do not use an expired permit or placard. Do not “lend” the permit or placard. An accessible parking permit or placard is meant for the transportation of the individual it is assigned to. It is illegal for both the “lender” and “borrower” of the permit or placard to misuse it, and both parties may be fined accordingly. This includes lending a placard for someone to use while they’re running an errand for an individual with a disability. A permit or placard can even be revoked for misuse. How Can My City Improve Handicap Parking? The effort of improving accessible parking is shared by the public, permit holders, city zoning, and private facilities. The public and permit holders may help the city by holding people accountable for the misuse of accessible parking passes and placards, as well as by reporting any misuse of accessible parking spaces.

Cities may also improve accessible parking by ensuring that all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act are met, and that all new constructions and alterations of existing facilities proceed accordingly. Innovative technologies such as Parking Access Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) are systems on the internet of things that can be run, and monitored, with immediate information updates to the cloud. With the ability to keep pace with developing cities, parking solutions with mobility in mind, and support for infrastructure of all types, technology has the opportunity to change the accessibility of parking and transportation worldwide. Is it is difficult to get an accessible parking permit? It is not difficult to get a parking permit, but it does require time, and the completion of several steps, including a recommendation from a healthcare provider. You do not need to be in a wheelchair or have a visible disability to qualify for accessible parking. There are no age restrictions for accessibility parking permits. As long as the individual with a disability is in the car, you can use the accessibility parking permit to park in designated accessible parking spaces. The crosshatch section is to ensure that people have enough space to get in and out of the car, particularly if they are using a wheelchair. Spaces that are designated for accessible parking are available at all times. Many states offer reciprocity, though not all. It is important to check with the DMV of the state that issued the permit, as well as the state of intended travel. Laws for available or free parking depend on the location and facility. Some cities and states offer free parking for those that register through a program or file for a waiver. It is important to discuss this with a local DMV before parking in metered or regulated garages without paying. Yes. Though the placard or permit is issued to an individual, the designation is for the vehicle of transit.

In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). Next to a blue curb authorized for handicapped parking. Next to a green curb (green curb indicate limited time parking), no more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours. At on-street metered parking space. In spaces marked with a crosshatched pattern next to a parking space with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). These spaces are for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access. Next to red curbs, which indicate no stopping, standing, or parking. Next to yellow curbs, which are for commercial vehicles to load and unload passengers or freight. Next to white curbs, which are for loading and unloading passengers or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox. Garages & Surface Lots (Off-Street Parking): Disabled parking spaces are available in all off-street parking lots and garages. However, patrons who choose to park in these facilities are obligated to pay any applicable parking rates. This applies to both private and public off-street parking garages and parking lots. California Vehicle Code privileges for free parking with a disabled placards and license plates only apply to on-street parking. For privately owned off-street garages and parking lots which do not charge fees, vehicles with disabled placards must abide by any posted ordinances or restrictions for those facilities. Vehicles are not allowed to park for more than Seventy-Two (72) consecutive hours. More information about Disabled Person and Disabled Veteran parking may be found by visiting the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Cruise Ship Terminal: There are wheelchair accessible elevators and a passenger gangway. Customer service representatives are available to help if there are any special needs.