In Georgia, 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, or can qualify for a disabled license tag or placard if you:

• Are hearing impaired.
• Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
• Cannot walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, a cane, a crutch, another person, a prosthetic device, a wheelchair, or other assistive device.
• Are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the forced respiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry is less than one liter, or when at rest the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air.
• Use portable oxygen.
• Have a cardiac condition to the extent that your functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
• Are a blind individual whose central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses or whose visual acuity, if better than 20/200, is accompanied by a limit to the field or vision in the better eye.
• Are severely limited in your ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, or complications due to pregnancy.

Disabled persons can acquire a Disabled Person (DP) placard or DP license tags. 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 that can result in fines, imprisonment, and suspension of your special parking privileges. Forgery and/or trading in counterfeit or genuine placards invite higher penalties, including time in state prison.

[edit] HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABLED STATUS

You are considered to have disabled status when you acquire a DP placard or license tag. The procedure to acquire these is explained below.

Duration of status

DP license tags are available only to those who are permanently disabled. They must be renewed annually.

DP placards may be issued to those with permanent or temporary disabilities:

• Permanent Placards for the disabled are valid for 4 years.
• Special Permanent Placards for those who need to drive modified vehicles due to their disability in their upper extremities. The placards are valid for 4 years.
• Temporary placards are valid for up to 180 days or the date noted by your physician, whichever is lesser.

How to apply for DP license plates or a DP placard

To obtain DP license tags:

1. Download and complete the Disabled Persons Parking Affidavit.
2. Have a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatrist, optometrist, or a licensed chiropractor sign and complete Section Four and Five of the form.
3. Get the form attested by a Notary Public.
4. Fill up your driving license and vehicle information.
5. Submit the form at the nearest Tag office or County Tax Commissioner's Office along with the required fees.

To obtain a DP placard:

1. Download and complete the Disabled Persons Parking Affidavit.
2. Have a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatrist, optometrist, or a licensed chiropractor sign and complete Section Four and Five of the form.
3. Get the form attested by a Notary Public.
4. Fill up your driving license information. You do not need to own a vehicle to obtain a DP placard.
5. Submit the form at the nearest Tag office or County Tax Commissioner's Office along with the required fees.

[edit] FEE

A permanent DP placard, special DP placard or temporary DP placard is free. There is also no fee for replacement.

You have to pay a fee of $20 and any additional taxes for DP tags.

[edit] RENEWAL

Once the 4 year validity of permanent DP placards is completed:

1. Download and complete the Disabled Persons Parking Affidavit.
2. Have a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatrist, optometrist, or a licensed chiropractor sign and complete Section Four and Five of the form.
3. Get the form attested by a Notary Public.
4. Fill up your driving license information. You do not need to own a vehicle to obtain a DP placard.
5. Submit the form at the nearest Tag office or County Tax Commissioner's Office along with the required fees. DP tags have to be renewed annually by paying a fee of $20 and applicable taxes at the nearest Tag office or County Tax Commissioner's Office.

[edit] REPLACEMENT

To replace lost, stolen or mutilated placards or plates:

1. Download and complete the Disabled Persons Parking Affidavit.
2. Have a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatrist, optometrist, or a licensed chiropractor sign and complete Section Four and Five of the form.
3. Enclose any mutilated placard or remaining plates.
4. Submit the form at the nearest Tag office or County Tax Commissioner's Office.

[edit] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Location and hours of Georgia DDS offices.