Disability Placards in Pennsylvania
Obtaining a handicap placard in Pennsylvania is a process that can be completed by submitting a formal request to the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) branch within the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT). The disability placards issued by the state DOT grant their holders special parking privileges, such as allowing motorists to park motor vehicles in parking spaces reserved for individuals with disabilities.
Overall, the DOT issues both temporary and permanent handicap placards in PA. A special disabled person placard is also available for handicapped veterans.
Note that the applicant does not need a driving license or a state ID in order to obtain a parking permit, since these placards can be used by any disabled resident traveling in a vehicle, regardless of whether or not he or she is the driver. Find out more about applying for a Pennsylvania disability parking permit by reading the following sections.
Eligibility Requirements for Disability Placards in Pennsylvania
Only applicants who meet the disability placard requirements in Pennsylvania will be able to successfully obtain a parking permit in the state. In addition to meeting the qualifications for disability placards by having one or more qualifying medical conditions, residents will be required to submit certain paperwork. As an example, if you are requesting a standard temporary or permanent disability placard, you will need to fill out the proper application form.
On the other hand, if you are applying for the severely disabled veteran placard, you must obtain a “Letter of Promulgation,” which is also known as an “Awards Letter.” However, this PA disability placard requirement only applies in the event that you are unable to have your application certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your service unit. Moreover, applicants for standard handicap placards do not need a separate physician’s certification, since the DOT’s application form already contains a special section for that purpose.
If you are wondering who is eligible for handicap placards in PA, note that you will be required to have a qualifying disability that is certified by an approved physician. The conditions, impairments and disabilities that render you eligible for a DMV handicap parking permit include:
- Missing limbs
- Legal blindness
- Severe cardiac conditions
- Respiratory restrictions imposed by certain lung diseases
- Arthritic, neurological and orthopedic conditions that limit your walking capabilities
- Inability to walk without making rest stops
- Inability to walk without using helping devices
- The need to use portable oxygen
Note: The parent or spouse of an individual suffering from one or more of the above conditions can also apply for a handicap placards on behalf of the disabled residents.
How to Apply for a Disability Placard in Pennsylvania
The standard application process for Pennsylvania disabled person placards can be completed by filling out the appropriate application form and mailing it along with any pertinent paperwork to the corresponding DOT office. However, prior to submitting your application for disability placards in PA, make sure that it is properly completed, which will avoid any delays.
For instance, depending on whether you are applying for a standard disability parking permit or a permit for severely disabled veterans, you will be required to fill out different sections of the form. Moreover, it is important to verify that the physician certification section is properly filled out and signed by the corresponding health care provider.
After completing the applicable sections of your application for handicap placards, you must mail it to the proper DOT office in Pennsylvania. After the department receives and processes your PA disabled placard application, it will issue your parking permit.
How to Renew Disability Placards in Pennsylvania
Both the permanent Pennsylvania handicap placard and the temporary parking permit expire after a set period of time. However, the handicap placard renewal procedure is only available to applicants who were issued permanent permits with a validity of five years. As such, if you hold a temporary six-month disability placard and your condition persists beyond the limited period of your credential, you will be required to resubmit your permit application.
In order to remind you to renew your handicap parking permit on time, the state DOT will send you a renewal notice up to 60 days before the set expiration date. To complete the PA disability placard renewal, you will be required to fill out the notice and mail it back. In the event that you do not receive a renewal reminder, you can fill out a particular application form and mail it to the address listed on the document.
Note: When renewing handicap placards in PA, applicants will not be required to have their applications certified by a physician or notarized by a notary public.
How to Replace Disability Placards in Pennsylvania
Getting a disability placard replacement in Pennsylvania is a process that can be completed by submitting a standard application form to a specific DOT mailing address. When replacing a disability placard through this form, applicants will be required to fill out the same sections that apply to the renewal procedure, as notarization and physician certification are not required in such cases.
On the other hand, in order to successfully obtain a duplicate handicap placard in PA, customers will also have to provide the reason for requesting a duplicate credential, as well as the identification number of the previous placard. Note that the handicap placard replacement procedure is available to applicants who have lost or damaged their permit, as well as to those who failed to receive their original permit.
Note: If you retrieve a lost disabled parking permit after requesting a replacement, you must return it to the DOT. Under state law, only the placard that was issued last is considered valid.
Pennsylvania Disability Placard Fees
Disabled individuals wondering how much a disability placard in Pennsylvania is must note that the state Department of Transportation does not charge a fee for the issuance of handicap placards. However, even if you are not required to pay any PA handicap placard fees, you may still be required to pay the unrelated postage costs when mailing your application form.