In Iowa, 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:

• Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
• Cannot walk without the assistance of a brace, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assisting device.
• Are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the your forced expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than 1liter, or the arterial-oxygen tension is less than 60 mm of mercury on room air at rest.
• You use portable oxygen.
• You suffer from a severe class III or class IV cardiac condition according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
• The person is severely limited in the person's ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

Disabled persons can acquire a Disabled Person (DP) placard or DP license plates or stickers. 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 fines of $100-$300 and have their special parking privileges revoked.

Visit the section on Iowa DOT's Persons with Disabilities Parking Law for details.

HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABLED STATUS

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

Duration of status

DP license plates or stickers are available only to those who are permanently disabled and own a motor vehicle. They may also be issued to parents/guardians of disabled children, provided that the child is living with the parent/guardian. DP plates and stickers are valid as long as the vehicle's registration is valid. However, the plates and stickers must be validated annually by the owner confirming that the disability still exists in him/her or the child.

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

• Permanent placards do not have an expiry date.
• Temporary placards are valid for up to 6 months or the date noted by your physician, whichever is earlier.

How to apply for DP license plates/stickers or a DP placard

To obtain DP license plates or stickers:

1. Download and complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit Form.
2. Obtain a certificate from a licensed physician, chiropractor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner on their letterhead stationery, stating the applicant is a person with a disability.
3. Provide the current registration card in your name, or documents that prove the vehicle is registered in your name; as well as any registration fees due on the vehicle.
4. Apply in person at the nearest county treasurer's office. DP stickers for license plates are available at the Office of Vehicle Services (the DOT office in Des Moines).

To obtain a DP placard:

1. Download and complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit Form.
2. Obtain a certificate from a licensed physician, chiropractor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner on their letterhead stationery, stating the applicant is a person with a disability.
3. Mail or submit the completed form in person, along with any fees, to the nearest license office.

FEE

A permanent or temporary DP placard is free. There is no fee for permanent DP plates. However, the annual registration fees must be paid. Personalized plates are available at an extra cost of $25.

RENEWAL

DP plates and stickers must be renewed along with the vehicle's registration. However, the plates and stickers must be validated annually by the owner confirming that the disability still exists in him/her or the child.

REPLACEMENT

To replace lost, stolen or mutilated placards or plates, contact the local license office.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Location and hours of Iowa MVD offices.