Skip to main content

How To Get Disability Plates And Placards In California

One thing that’s integral to being successful in driving is accessibility. Everyone deserves the right to convenient access, so those with disabilities should be aware of just how to make sure their transportation is as smooth and legally streamlined as possible in order to avoid any mixups or miscommunications.

Drivers with disabilities have options, but these aren’t always as clear when put in government terms or mixed with complicated jargon. For those who are disabled and living in California, there are options when it comes to parking and driving. Here’s how you can get California disability plates and placards for your vehicle.

A person with disabilities can apply for disability parking placard or a special license plate through the California DMV, also known as the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Three Different Types Of Plates And Disabled Placards

When applying, know that there are three different types of plates and disabled placards, so be aware of which one will most comfortably fit your needs. The three types of placards are permanent placards, disabled person (DP) license plates, or disabled veteran (DV) license plates.

1. Permanent Placards

Permanent placards are for those seeking a license plate to fit their permanent disabilities. These are people with disabilities that will last, so they can not reapply and are not based on certain timestamps.

2. Disabled Person (DP) License Plates

The DP placard (disabled person placard) is for those with cars registered in their names. People with disabilities can apply for these if there car’s registration clearly identifies them, in order to prove that the motor vehicle is theirs. If this is proven, you will be able to obtain a disabled parking placard.

3. Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plates

The next type of parking placard is for disable veterans. This parking permit comes with DV plate requirements, There must be proof of federal service based on the veteran administration, with government accreditation. Those who qualify based on the VA’s standards are eligible for service-connected disability, meaning their disabilities are directly related to combat, giving them veteran preference and eschewing many of the typical fees.

Temporary Parking Placard

Now, there are also temporary parking placards, which are valid for up to six months. These types of handicap placards also require a doctor’s certification, which should also include the expected length of the injury or difference of ability.

You can also apply for travel placards, which are temporary. These function nation-wide and are valid for 30-days if you’re a California resident traveling outside of the state, or 90 days if you’re visiting California from another state. This disability parking placard is for those with a permanent disability.

Now that you know what you can apply for, you should know what you need for applying in completion.

What To Bring

You can apply in person for your placard or plate, or you can do it by mail. Either way you’re going to need a medical certification with proof of your disability. To be eligible for an issued handicapped permit, each of the forms must be filled out in the application with notoriety from a physician, surgeon, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, chiropractor (if disabled in lower extremities), or optometrist (if visually impaired). This may also require changes to your driver’s license, depending on the nature of the disability and how it affects your driving skills.

Once you have a physician statement, you can move forward with the application process. If you’re filing in person, it is highly recommended that you make an appointment prior to heading to the DMV. Be ready to pay the associated fees. For a new permanent placard, it’s free. A temporary placard is $6. Disabled person license plates free as long as vehicle registration fees are paid. A travel placard is also free.

When you receive your disability placard or plate, it will give you the opportunity to park in the most accessible parking space available, including on-street parking and off-street parking and those spots with a parking meet. That said, park in the spaces, not the adjoining spaces with the crosshatch patterns. Make sure to purchase an accompanying placard holder for your new handicapped placard, with the wheelchair symbol on it. Fasten the tag to the rearview mirror. Those with disabled veteran status will have a veteran license plate with another identifying symbol as well.

Park in the spaces, not the adjoining spaces with crosshatch patterns.

Everyone deserves accessibility in their driving so that they feel comfortable and able to focus on their safety. Make the process as simple as possible so that you can continue your journey on the road.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Disabled Plates & Placards

Vehicles with special registration plates or removable windshield placards from any state or which have a handicapped parking card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles may use the special parking spaces when the card or placard is displayed on the (interior) rear-view mirror or the plate is legally mounted on the vehicle as provided by the laws of Vermont or the state where the vehicle is registered. A person who is blind or who has an ambulatory disability may park without fee for an unlimited period in a parking zone which is restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted. This does not apply to zones in which parking, standing or stopping of all vehicles is prohibited, or which are reserved for special vehicles, or where parking is prohibited by any parking ban. As a condition to this privilege, the vehicle must display the special handicapped plate or placard. A person, other than a person with a disability, who for his or her own purposes parks a vehicle in a space...
2 comments
Read more

How Do I Return A Lost Disabled Parking Permit?

If you’ve ever used a disabled parking permit, you know how much of a lifesaver they can be. For people with disabilities, a placard provides much easier and more convenient access to parking places to various businesses. With one in hand, there’s no more slugging across the humongous parking lot just to find that you’re exhausted by the time you get to the restaurant or doctor’s office. You can imagine how distressing it would be if you accidentally lost your placard. So here’s the info you need to know to answer the question, “How do I return a lost disabled parking permit?” How do I return a handicap placard? If you’ve found a handicap placard and can’t locate its owner, there are several avenues you can go down to ensure the placard eventually ends up back with its owner. Because it can be difficult for a placard owner to replace a lost permit, they’ll definitely appreciate your efforts to return it (even if it takes a little extra legwork on your part). Law enforcement and the DMV...
2 comments
Read more

Do You Always Need To Display Your Disabled Parking Permit?

The Americans with Disabilities Act was introduced and became law in 1990. Its purpose is to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. It is actually a civil rights law, which disallows any discrimination based on disability. An amendment to the Act was passed in 2008 in relation to disabled parking and driving. The Act now dictates that handicap parking spots must be available in all public parking lots, with the minimum requirement being one designated spot per 25 spaces. If you own or think you might qualify for a disabled parking permit, then you will be able to utilize these special spots. A disabled parking permit is generally available in two formats. One format is specially marked license plates, which would generally be on your own car that you drive. The second format is a handicap parking placard, which hangs inside the car somewhere - usually from the rear-view mirror. The beauty of the latter, of cour...
1 comment
Read more