Disabled drivers may obtain a handicap placard in North Carolina by performing an application procedure through the state Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). As a general rule, disability placards are issued to motorists who satisfy the eligibility criteria and who are medically certified to have a temporary or permanent disability. In any case, drivers may get one or two disabled parking placards upon applying.

Overall, an NC disabled person parking placard may be used for parking a vehicle in designated parking spots that are marked for residents with disabilities. As such, drivers will be required to meet certain disability placard requirements when applying for such placards. For more information about how to qualify for handicapped parking placard, continue reading the sections below.

Eligibility Requirements for Disability Placards in North Carolina

Disability placards in North Carolina are issued to drivers who are deemed disabled according to a particular set of guidelines. As such, motorists may only apply for a disabled person placard after satisfying these eligibility criteria. For example, prior to submitting an NC disabled placard application, residents need to have one of the following conditions:

  • Inability to walk for 200 feet without a break.
  • Inability to walk without the help of another person or without the use of an assistive device.
  • Restriction caused by lung disease.
  • Usage of portable oxygen devices.
  • Cardiac condition classified as Class III or Class IV, as set by the American Heart Association standards.
  • Severely limited ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.
  • Total blindness or very defective vision.

After satisfying at least one of the abovementioned disability placard requirements, applicants are required to prepare a list of required documents in order to request these credentials. For instance, motorists need to submit an application for disability placards that was completed by them and by a medical provider.

Moreover, they need to provide an acceptable payment method for the handicap placard fees. Furthermore, it is important to note that one of the disability placard requirements for the in-person method is to provide proof of identification when visiting at the NC DMV.

How to Apply for a Disability Placard in North Carolina

Motorists need to perform a North Carolina disabled placard application procedure in order to obtain placards that will enable them to park in designated parking places for disabled drivers. Applicants may obtain one or two handicap placards, depending on their personal preferences. In order to apply for a disabled person placard, drivers need to do the following:

  • Complete and sign the applicant section of the application form.
  • Have a medical provider to complete and sign the medical provider section of the application form.
  • Provide payment for the applicable handicap placard fees.

Overall, drivers may apply for a disabled person parking placard in North Carolina either by mail or in person at a nearby NC DMV location.

How to Apply for a Disability Placard by Mail

When applying for a North Carolina handicap placard by mail, drivers need to obtain the proper application from the DMV or from a doctor’s office. In general, applicants may also download this form from the DMV website.

Then, motorists need to complete and sign the applicant section of the disabled placard application form and give it to a medical physician to complete and sign the medical provider section. After the form is thoroughly completed by those parties, applicants can mail the handicap placards form to the NC DMV, along with payment for the applicable fees.

How to Apply for a Disability Placard in Person

Disabled drivers may perform a North Carolina disabled placard application procedure in person at a local DMV office. To do so, they need to first get the application form for disability placards from a DMV branch or doctor’s office. Then, applicants must complete and sign the required section and give it to a health care professional to complete and sign the medical provider section.

Once the application for disability placards is completed, drivers may submit it in person at the NC DMV along with a proof of identification. Furthermore, they must pay the applicable handicap placard fees.

How to Renew Disability Placards in North Carolina

A North Carolina handicap placard renewal procedure must be performed whenever these credentials approach their expiration dates. In general, temporary disability placards have a validity period of one to six months, after which they cannot be renewed. Instead, drivers will have to apply for an extension by completing a new application with a new recertification.

On the other hand, total or permanent handicap placards are valid for five years, after which they must be renewed. As such, permanent disabled person placards may be renewed by mail or in person up to 90 days prior to their dates of expiration.

How to Renew Disability Placards by Mail

When wondering how to renew disability parking permit in North Carolina, drivers need to complete and sign the applicant section of an application form. After that, drivers who are renewing disability placards may be required to complete the medical provider recertification.

On the other hand, performing a total or permanent handicap placard renewal process may or may not require drivers to have the recertification section completed and signed by a medical provider, depending on the specific situation. Once the disabled placard application form for renewal is prepared, disabled drivers need to send it to the NC DMV mailing address along with payment for the applicable fees.

How to Renew Disability Placards in Person

A North Carolina handicap placard renewal procedure may be completed in person at a local DMV branch. In general, this process of completing the renewal application for disability placards is the same as for the mail-in method. However, when submitting this form and payment at the DMV, motorists may be required to provide proof of identification such as a valid NC driver’s license.

How to Replace Disability Placards in North Carolina

A disability placard replacement in North Carolina must be performed whenever motorists deal with a lost, stolen or damaged credential. Drivers who are wondering how to replace a handicap placard need to complete and sign an application form and have the medical provider section completed and signed by a licensed physician.

Thus, this replacement procedure is very similar to the process of applying for a new handicap placard. After completing the disabled placard application form for a replacement, applicants need to submit the document to the NC DMV, along with payment for the applicable fees.

North Carolina Disability Placard Fees

Many applicants wonder how much a disability placard in North Carolina is. In general, the DMV charges a particular fee in order to issue one handicap placard, and that cost is doubled in the case of two placards.

These handicap placard fees are the same in the case of motorists who are renewing, replacing or applying for new credentials. In addition, when applying for a registration card replacement for a lost handicap placard, disabled drivers need to pay a higher fee. On the other hand, damaged disability placards may be replaced for no cost.

Last updated on Thursday, March 7 2019.