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Information for Disabled Drivers in Kentucky

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

In Kentucky, 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 use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assisting device.
  • Are restricted by lung disease to the extent that your forced respiratory and expiratory volume for 1 second, when measured by spirometry, is less than 1 liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm of mercury on room air at rest.
  • Use portable oxygen.
  • Have a severe Class III or Class IV cardiac condition according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
  • Are severely limited in your ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.

Disabled persons can acquire a special parking permit or special license plates for disabled persons. 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 be fined or lose their special parking privileges. Forgery and/or trading in counterfeit or genuine placards invite higher penalties, including time in state prison.

Other facilities available for disabled drivers include:

  • A Driver Evaluation and Vehicle Modification Program to help disabled drivers adapt to necessary driving restrictions.
  • TTD for Hearing Impaired.

HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABLED STATUS

You are considered to have disabled status when you acquire a disabled parking permit or special license plates. The procedure to acquire these is explained below.

Duration of status

Disabled license plates have to be renewed annually with the registration.

Disabled parking permits are valid for 2 years.

How to apply for disabled license plates or a parking placard

To obtain disabled license plates:

  1. Download and complete the Application for Special Registration Plate for Disabled Persons.
  2. Have a licensed physician sign the Doctor's Certification of Disability portion of the form, if the disability is not obvious.
  3. Provide the serial number of the vehicle that is registered in your name.
  4. Submit the application along with any necessary fees at the nearest county clerk's office.

To obtain a disabled person's special parking permit:

  1. Download and complete the Application for Disabled Persons Special Parking Permit.
  2. Have a licensed physician sign the Doctor's Certification of Disability portion of the form, if the disability is not obvious.
  3. Submit the application at the nearest county clerk's office.

EXEMPTIONS

You do not need a doctor's certificate, if:

  • The disability is obvious and can be verified by the official at the county clerk's office.
  • You already have a Kentucky disabled or Disabled Veteran license plate, and the number is entered in the application form.

FEE

No fees are charged for disabled parking permits. There is also no fee for replacement.

Disabled plates cost $21. The annual renewal charges are also $21.

RENEWAL

Once the 2 year validity of permanent disabled parking permits is over:

  1. Download and complete the Application for Disabled Persons Special Parking Permit.
  2. Submit the application at the nearest county clerk's office.

REPLACEMENT

To replace lost, stolen or mutilated parking permits:

  1. Download and complete the Application for Disabled Persons Special Parking Permit.
  2. Prepare an affidavit stating that the original placard has been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
  3. Submit the application at the nearest county clerk's office.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION