What is a Handicapped Tag

A handicapped tag or handicapped placard is a placard

Placard

A placard is a notice installed in a public place, like a small card, sign, or plaque. It can be attached to or hung from a vehicle or building to indicate information about the vehicle operator or contents of a vehicle or building.- Buildings :...

 or license plate, permitting the owner or operator of a vehicle to special privileges regarding the parking of that vehicle, including the privilege to park in a space reserved for persons with disabilities, or in some areas, permitting a person to park in a time-limited space for longer time, and to park at a meter without payment. It is sometimes also referred to as a disabled parking permit.

Criteria for Disability

A person's medical condition must meet the legal definition of a disability to qualify for a handicapped parking permit. "Disability" means a condition in which a person has:
Severe visual impairment (usually visual acuity of 20/200 or less); or
Mobility problems, such as wheelchair confinement, lung or heart problems, arthritis, foot disorder, or medical conditions that cause a person to use a brace, cane, crutch or other assistive device.

The definition for "disability" according to Social Security is:

"Inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months".

In Kentucky, the criteria to receive a handicapped tag includes:

"Any person who has a severe visual, audio, or physical impairment, including partial paralysis, lower limb amputation, chronic heart condition, emphysema, arthritis, rheumatism, or other debilitating condition which limits or impairs one's mobility or ability to walk may be issued a handicap placard. In addition, any agency or organization, which transports handicapped persons, may apply for a placard for each vehicle used in that capacity"

How To Apply for a Permit

To apply for a permit, one should ask a doctor to complete the "Disability Statement" section in the permit application, which can be found online. After the application has been fully completed, it can be submitted and paid for at the local county tax office.

A person may either obtain a license plate with the International Symbol of Access

International Symbol of Access

The International Symbol of Access , also known as the Wheelchair Symbol, consists of a blue square overlaid in white with a stylized image of a person using a wheelchair...

, or may obtain a placard which typically attaches to the rear-view mirror or is placed on the dashboard of the vehicle while parked.

Handicapped Parking Space Requirements

According to the Americans With Disabilities Act Handbook, "Accessible parking spaces should be at least 96 in (2440 mm) wide. Parking access aisles shall be part of an accessible route to the building or facility entrance..."

State Regulations for Handicapped Parking Tags

For example, in California, the handicapped parking tag allows you to park:

• "In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol)
• Next to a blue curb authorized for handicap parking
• Next to a green curb (green curbs indicate limited time parking) for as long as you wish
• There is no time limit with a DP placard, DP license plates, or DV license plates
• In an on-street metered parking space at no charge
• Streets where preferential parking privileges are given to residents and merchants (private off street merchant parking facilities may be restricted to customers and employees)"

New Regulation in California:

According to the state Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma, "A law that went into effect Jan. 1 gives cities the authority to increase fines for handicap parking violations up to $1,000 and to allow parking-control officers to issue tickets. Previously, only law enforcement officers could give such tickets".

Similarly, there has been a law change in South Carolina:

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Beth Parks, "A law went into effect Jan. 1 requiring a photo of the disabled person be put on the placard that is hung on the rear-view mirror".