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Information for Disabled Drivers in South Dakota

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

In South Dakota, 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 have

  • Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping or if you need the support of a brace, cane, crutch, wheelchair or another person.
  • Restricted walking due to arthritis, neurological or orthopedic conditions.
  • Suffer from lung disease an extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second (when measured by spirometry) is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
  • Use portable oxygen.
  • A cardiac condition classified by the American Heart Association as Class III or Class IV.

Disabled persons can acquire a Permanent Portable Permit, Temporary Portable Permit or Disabled license plates. 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 convicted under the following:

  • Class 1 Misdemeanor - one year imprisonment in county jail or a $1000 fine or both.
  • Class 2 Misdemeanor - thirty day imprisonment in county jail or $200 fine or both.

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

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

Permanent Portable Permits are issued to those with permanent disabilities and are valid for five years.

Temporary Portable Permits are issued to those with temporary disabilities and are valid for 12 months only.

Disabled license plates are issued only to people with permanent disabilities.

How to apply for DP license plates or a DP placard

To obtain DP license plates:

  1. Download and complete the application for Physically Disabled Parking Permits and License Plates.
  2. Have the applicant's physician sign Section D 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. Mail the completed form, along with any fees, to the address on the form.
To obtain a DP placard:
  1. Download and complete the Physically Disabled Parking Permits and License Plates.
  2. Have the applicant's physician sign Section D of the form.
  3. Mail the completed form, along with any fees, to the address on the form.
Alternatively, to obtain either the plates or the placard, you can take the form to a local county treasures office. You will receive your placard (or plates) within approximately two weeks.

FEE

Both the permits - Permanent and Temporary and the license plates are free. You can be issued up to 2 Permits per application. However there is a $10 fee for replacement of the license plates and $4 of you want it mailed to you.

RENEWAL

Permanent Portable Permits are valid for five years and can be renewed 90 days before the expiration. Physician's certification is not needed for renewal.
  1. Temporary Portable Permits are issued only for a year and can be renewed if the physician feels that the disability will continue more than the one year. You have to submit a new application for Physically Disabled Parking Permits and License Plates.
  2. Physician's recertification is needed for renewing the Temporary Portable Permit.

REPLACEMENT

Lost or stolen permits will be inactivated when it is informed to the DMV office. If the lost or stolen permit is found, it will not be returned or activated. You will have to apply again for a new permit. Damaged or mutilated permits have to be returned along with a new application for replacement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Location and hours of South Dakota DMV offices.
  • For more information on parking privileges for disabled, contact the DMV at (605) 773-3541 or the South Dakota Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities at (800) 210-0143.