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Information for Disabled Drivers in Nebraska

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

In Nebraska, drivers certified by licensed health personnel to have impaired mobility or a condition which substantially interferes with mobility, limiting mobility to less than 200 feet without the aid of a wheelchair, crutch, walker, or any other prosthesis, may qualify for "Disabled" status.

You are also considered a disabled driver if you have

  • Severe respiratory or circulatory disease.
  • Severe (class III or IV) cardiac conditions.
  • Any disorder that limits the use of lower extremities; or either or both hands or legs.
  • Documented problems with vision, including partial-sightedness or low vision.

Disabled persons can acquire a Disabled Person (DP) placard or DP license plates.[http://www.dmv.com/redirect?url=http://www.dmv.ne.gov/dvr/permits/handicap.html ] A disabled individual can only get one permit. They can also obtain Handicapped License Plates for their vehicles. 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 $250-$1000 and/or imprisonment in county jail for up to 6 months. Forgery and/or trading in counterfeit or genuine placards invite higher penalties, including time in state prison.

Other facilities available for disabled drivers include:

  • Window decals for holders of DP placards or plates, whose vehicles have wheelchairs or lifts that obstruct the rear license plate.
  • Ability to take a leashed service animal along to the DMV.
  • Alternative methods to complete the written Drivers License Examination.
  • TTY for Speech and Hearing Impaired.
  • Specially designated counters for Disabled Persons at the DMV office.

Visit the Handicap Section on Nebraska DMV site for details. You can also email or choose to call (402) 471-3918 for details on handicapped parking permits and/or plates.

HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABLED STATUS

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

Duration of status

DP license plates are available only to those who are permanently disabled.

DP placards may be issued to those with permanent or temporary disabilities. Nebraska DMV identifies two types of medical disabilities and issues two types of permits.

  • Placards for the permanently disabled are valid for 3 years. Those with a permanent disability will be given a blue permit which has to be renewed every 3 years. The permit will expire on the last day of the month in which the driver's birthday falls after a period of 3 years from the time of issue.
  • Temporary placards are valid for up to 6 months or the date noted by your physician, whichever is lesser. A driver with a medical condition that may not last beyond six months can receive a red permit which will be valid for a period of 6 months. The application for Handicapped Parking Permit has a Medical Certification portion, where the period required for recovery should be mentioned by a medical practitioner. If the medical disability does not improve, then the permit can be renewed one additional time.
When you are traveling, most states honor disability placards, but having a medical report comes in handy when you are out of state.

How to apply for DP license plates or a DP placard

To obtain DP license plates:
  1. Download the Application for Handicapped License Plates. The form should be duly completed by either the disabled person or an authorized representative.
  2. Have a licensed physician, surgeon, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner or certified midwife fill the Medical Certification portion of the form.
  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. Surrender the current license plates of the vehicle.
  5. Mail the completed form, along with any fees, to the address on the form.
On approval of the application, a notice will be sent, and you can then pick up your license plates from the local County Treasurer's office. There should be no taxes due at the time of receiving the license plates. If you do not have a valid permit currently and would like to request a permanent handicapped parking permit, you can do so at the time of applying for new handicapped license plates. To obtain a DP permit:
  1. Download and complete the Application for Handicapped Parking Permit. The form should be duly completed by either the disabled person or an authorized representative.
  2. Have a licensed physician, surgeon, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner or certified midwife sign the Medical Certification portion of the form.
  3. With a proof of identification, go to the local issuing authority where the form will be verified. A license, photo ID, passport, or birth certificate can be used for identification purposes.
  4. Once it is verified, the local authority will forward it to the DMV. The applicant will receive the permit directly from the DMV.
Alternatively, to obtain either the plates or the placard, you can go to the local DMV office. You will receive your placard (or plates) within approximately two weeks. Along with your new plates, you will receive a self-certification form verifying your eligibility for the plates, which you must carry with you when in the vehicle, and present upon request by law enforcement officers or other authorized persons.

FEES

DMV charges a particular fee for new and/or replacement permits and/or licenses. Check with your local DMV office for the exact amount.

RENEWAL

  1. Permits are valid for either 6 months or 3 years depending on the nature of medical disability and expire on the last day of the month of the birthday. Those with a temporary disability can only renew the permit once, for a period of 6 months.
  2. The procedure for renewing a handicapped permit is very similar to applying for a new permit. Permanent renewals will be mailed only 10 days after the new month begins.
  3. Holders of permanent placards do not require recertification by a doctor.

REPLACEMENT

To replace lost, stolen or mutilated placards or plates:
  1. Download and complete the Application for Handicapped Parking Permit or Application for Handicapped License Plates. Only the top portion of the application needs to be filled.
  2. Bring along a proof of identification to the local county clerk's office and they will then send it to the DMV.
  3. Enclose any mutilated placard or remaining plates.
  4. Mail the application, along with any fee (for substitute temporary placards or plates) to: 
    Nebraska Division of Motor Vehicles
Driver and Driver Records Division
301 Centennial Mall South
PO Box 94789 
Lincoln, NE 68509-4789
  5. The DMV will mail the new permit to the applicant directly.
  6. Alternatively, take the completed application to a local DMV office.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION