In Connecticut, drivers certified by licensed health personnel to have impaired mobility or a condition which substantially interferes with mobility may qualify for "Disabled" status.

You are also considered a disabled driver if you have

• A restriction because of lung disease.
• A disability that requires the use of portable oxygen apparatus.
• A neuromuscular dysfunction that severely limits mobility.
• Inability to walk 200 feet without stopping.
• A Class III or IV cardiac condition by the American Heart Association Standards.
• Severe limitation in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.
• Any disorder that limits the use of lower extremities.
• Documented problems with vision, including partial-sightedness or low vision.

Disabled persons can acquire a Disabled Person License Plates or Parking Permits. These entitle you to special parking privileges in areas designated for disabled persons, whenever you are the driver or a passenger of the vehicle. Misuse or abuse of these privileges is a misdemeanor; offenders can get their plates or permits revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Other facilities available for disabled drivers include:

• Temporary parking permits for those persons whose ability to walk is temporarily impaired.
• Special training services for drivers with physical disabilities.
• Funding for the purchase of special adaptive equipment for your vehicle.
• TDD for the Hearing Impaired.
• Specially designated counters for Disabled Persons at the DMV office.

Visit the section on Help for Disabled drivers for details.

HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABLED STATUS

In order to qualify for a disability permit or license plate, you must obtain proof of disability from a licensed physician of member of the Handicapped Driver Training Unit. You are also required to complete a Special Permit Application and Impairment Certificate. [http://www.dmv.com/redirect?url=http://www.dmvct.state.ct.us/B225.HTM ]

Duration of status

• Disability license plates and Permanent Disability Parking Permits are available only to those who are permanently disabled.
• Temporary Disability Parking Permits are issued to those with temporary disabilities and are valid for 6 months.

How to apply for Disability license plates or a Disability parking permit

To obtain Disability license plates:

1. Disabled license plates are available for passenger, commercial, combination, and motorcycle registrations.
2. The vehicle for which the plate is being obtained must be registered in the name of the disabled person.
3. In addition to following the vehicle registration process, you must also provide proof of disability on a Special Permit Application Form. You do not have to provide proof of disability if you already hold a permanent disability parking permit.
4. You can apply for a disabled license plate at any of the DMV offices.
5. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age.

To obtain a Permanent or Temporary Disability Parking Permit:

1. Complete a Special Parking Permit Application form. Part B of the form must be completed by a certified physician, ophthalmologist or optometrist.
2. Submit the completed form to your nearest DMV office to obtain a permanent disability parking permit.
3. The permit is issued in the name of the disabled person and can be used for availing of disabled parking by any vehicle in which that person is traveling.

FEE

• A permanent disability parking permit is issued free of cost. A fee of $5 is levied for a temporary disability parking permit.
• No additional fees are charged for disability plates other than the normal registration fees and sales tax.

RENEWAL

• Temporary disability parking permits are valid for 6 months. You will have to apply for a fresh permit once it expires.
• Disabled license plates can be renewed by completing a Renewals Additional and Replacement form.

REPLACEMENT

To replace lost, stolen or mutilated permits or plates:

1. Download and complete the Renewals Additional[http://www.dmv.com/redirect?url=http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/b-225a.pdf ] and Replacement form.
2. Enclose any mutilated permits or remaining plates.
3. Replacement disability parking permits are issued free of charge.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Location and hours of Connecticut DMV offices.