Requirements for Handicapped Disability Tags

Handicapped disability tags can be permanent or temporary, providing injured or recovering people with closer parking spots. Temporary tags hang from the vehicle's rear-view mirror and have expiration dates. Permanent tags are available as either stickers or license plates. The requirements for handicapped disability tags vary from state to state.

Qualifying Disabilities

• Disabilities that qualify a person for handicap tags may be related to different disorders, conditions or injuries. Some conditions automatically qualify a person for a tag, while others must be accompanied by specific symptoms. Qualifying disabilities include cardiac diseases rated as Class III or IV, blindness, arm loss, lung disease and use of portable oxygen. Additional physical qualifications include the inability to walk or difficulty walking without assistance from a person, cane, leg brace or device; for a minimum of 200 feet without requiring a moment to rest; or because of a neurological or orthopedic condition.

Medical Examination

• Most states require individuals seeking handicapped disability tags to receive physical examinations. Examinations may include vision tests, X-rays, EKGs and even nerve conduction studies. Physicians fill out a special application form for the patient and submit an official letter head with the application to the Department of Motor Vehicles or County Clerk's office.

Application

• Patients must complete an application to receive a disability tag. Applications are available at local courthouses and sometimes at medical offices. Completed applications are submitted to the County Clerk's office in return for a permit and tags that are valid for two years.