Do's And Don'ts (2021)

For people with limited mobility, getting from the furthest spot in the parking lot to the door of your local grocery store or community service center can take enormous energy. Whether you broke your leg and are waiting for it to heal or you have a permanent, invisible disability, the last thing you need to worry about is finding a parking spot. You also shouldn’t need to worry about higher car insurance rates; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits insurers from charging more solely on the basis of disability. However, if your vehicle has been modified with adaptive equipment or you drive a wheelchair van, you may pay higher rates. Placard holders may also want to opt for additional coverage, like roadside assistance, which can be helpful for a driver or passenger with a disability. And if your car has special equipment, you may need extra coverage to protect it.

But these add-ons don’t have to break the bank. If you compare rates across insurance providers, you can find cheap car insurance that meets your needs. With Insurify, you only need to provide your information once, and you’ll get customized quotes from up to 20 different insurance companies. That way, you can save time and get the best deal. Personalized quotes in less than 2 minutes. What are handicap placards--and how do they work? What are handicap placards? Handicap placards allow drivers and passengers with disabilities to park in handicap parking spaces. Not all people with disabilities can get a disabled parking placard--your healthcare provider will likely need to certify that you have a disability that limits your mobility. But this requirement is waived in some states for people with a visible disability who apply in person at their local Department of Motor Vehicles. Once you have a parking pass, you can display it in your vehicle or someone else’s vehicle in which you are a passenger. Typically, it hangs from the rearview mirror or is displayed on the dash.

This will prevent you from getting ticketed for parking in a handicap spot or next to a blue or green curb. How do handicap placards work? Veterans with severe disabilities placards, which are typically valid for 2-10 years. As the name implies, these placards are specifically for U.S. Temporary handicap placards, which are typically valid for six months. These placards are for those with short-term disabilities, like a broken leg that requires a wheelchair or cast. In most states, each one looks different so that they’re easy to identify, but all placards display the international symbol of access. Your doctor will need to specify whether your disability is temporary or permanent on your application. If it’s temporary, there will be a limit to the number of times you can renew it. If you have a permanent disability, you’ll still need to renew your placard regularly, though less often. You also have the option to get disabled license plates instead of a handicapped placard, which isn’t an option for people with temporary disabilities.

But you don’t look disabled! Not all disabilities are visible. To be eligible for a handicap parking placard, a person needs to have a disability that affects their mobility, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be visibly unable to walk. Respiratory issues, lung disease, needing portable oxygen, cardiac conditions, and vision impairments can also qualify someone for a handicap placard. You might not be able to tell if someone has one of these disabilities, but they can still benefit from the parking privileges that come with having a handicap parking permit. If you see someone parked in a handicap space with a handicap placard, rest assured that they have a good reason to do so. How do I apply for a handicap placard? The process of getting a disability parking placard varies slightly from state to state, so you should consult your state’s DMV website for details. Fill out the Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates for you or your family member with a disability. Ask your medical doctor or other healthcare provider to complete and sign the “Medical Provider’s Certification of Disability” portion of the form. Mail your completed application.