Guide to Disability Parking Placards & Permits

Handicap parking permits and placards are markers that designate certain vehicles as permitted to park in specialized handicap parking spaces, which are close to a building's entrance. Schools, stadiums, offices and stores typically all have handicap parking of some kind. Gaining a handicap parking placard or permit requires an application and sometimes a doctor's note.

Basics

• Handicap parking placards or permits are either hung on a car's rear view mirror or displayed on a car's license plate. They show the universal blue handicap sign, the silhouette of a figure in a wheelchair. The placards are issued by the government or universities to those who require them. They are typically not permanent and are only active for a certain number of years.

Benefits

• Handicap permits allow holders to park in specially designated spaces that are typically much closer to the place of business or school than other parking spots. This is useful for those who have trouble walking or may suffer from asthma, obesity or other disorders that make walking long distances difficult.

Eligibility

• The requirements for obtaining a handicap parking permit differ from state to state. All require an application of some kind while others involve a doctor's note. Private companies, like schools, may issue handicap passes by other means. There may be a fee involved for handicap parking placards and permits. You do not need a license in some states to acquire a permit as long as you provide proof that you are the main transportation for a handicapped person.

Inappropriate Use

• There are numerous penalties for parking in a handicap parking space without the proper permit displayed. Penalties will vary according to state or region. This may include parking tickets with hefty fines or your car may even be towed at your expense.