Disability Placards in Texas
The procedure to apply for a Texas handicap placard can be completed by submitting a paper application to a nearby county tax assessor-collector’s office. The disability placards issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are available in two types: a blue permanent placard and a red temporary placard for individuals whose condition is expected to improve after a short time period.
Regardless of the type of TX disabled person placard you obtain, you can utilize it to park in disabled parking spots. If you own a DMV handicap parking permit, you are also exempt from paying any government parking meters. Learn how to request a disability parking permit in the state and how to complete the corresponding renewal and replacement procedures by reading the sections below.
Eligibility Requirements for Disability Placards in Texas
The state DMV will process an application only if the resident meets the qualifications for disability placards in Texas, which were set forth by the state’s Transportation Code. However, even if you have a qualifying medical condition, you will still be required to meet the documentation disability placard requirements. For instance, in order to obtain a disabled parking permit, you must submit a filled out application form.
Depending on the method chosen to apply for TX handicap placards, you may be required to submit a copy of your photo ID, such as a driving license or an ID card. Also, if you are unable to have your physician’s signature notarized, you will need to submit the original medical prescription verifying your condition.
Disabled motorists wondering how to qualify for handicapped parking permits must note that they will be eligible for one if they have a disability or a mobility impairment that prevents them from walking properly. Furthermore, licensed health care professionals can confirm your eligibility for disabled person placards only if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Low visual acuity of 20/200 in the better eye or a limited field of vision
- Mobility impairments that prevent you from walking properly
- Inability to walk without making rest stops
- Inability to walk without using assistive devices, such as a cane, crutch or a brace
- Lung diseases that prevent you from breathing properly or the need to carry portable oxygen
- Severe cardiac conditions or arthritic, orthopedic or neurological conditions
Note: The above list is not all-inclusive. Thus, medical professionals have the authority to verify other debilitating conditions that limit an applicant’s ability to walk.
How to Apply for a Disability Placard in Texas
Applicants for Texas disability placards can successfully obtain a parking permit by submitting their application forms to a local county tax office in person or by mail. However, be mindful that the requirements for disability parking permits vary slightly depending on the chosen method of application. For example, disabled individuals who are submitting a TX application for disability placards by mail will also be required to include of a copy of their photo ID along with the request form.
Note that, while permanent parking placards are available free of charge, temporary placards may include a minor fee. When applying for disabled person placards by mail, the fee payment must be submitted in the form of a check or money order.
Note: You are eligible for only one handicap parking permit if you already have disability license plates. If you do not have disabled person plates, on the other hand, you can apply for two placards.
Applying for a Texas Disability Placard by Mail
Disabled motorists who submit their Texas handicap placard application by mail will obtain a parking placard without making an office visit. In order to successfully complete the mail-in application process for disabled parking badges, residents will be required to submit a properly filled out form, any pertinent documents and an acceptable payment method to the address of their county tax office.
Prior to mailing the application for handicap placards, disabled individuals must ensure that it contains their physician’s certification. Then, the applicant will receive his or her TX disability parking permit once the corresponding tax office verifies the legitimacy of the submitted paperwork and any applicable fee payment.
Applying for a Texas Disability Placard in Person
If you prefer to apply for a TX disabled person parking placard in person, you can submit your application to a county tax assessor’s location. In order to expedite the application for disability placards process, you can obtain this form through the state DMV website and fill it out prior to making your office visit.
Note that, when applying for a temporary disability placard in person, you will also be able to submit the necessary payment in the form of cash. After the DMV agent receives and processes your handicap placard application, he or she will forward a request for the issuance of a new credential.
How to Renew Disability Placards in Texas
A Texas handicap placard renewal is a procedure that can only be completed by applicants who were issued a blue handicap placard, which is issued for residents who have permanent disabilities. On the other hand, if you have a red disabled person placard, you will be required to reapply for it, provided that your condition extends beyond the placard’s six-month validity. If you are wondering how to renew disability parking permit documents, note that you will be required to fill out the corresponding sections of the form and submit it by mail or in person to a nearby tax office.
Note: When renewing a TX disability parking permit, you will not be required to reobtain a new disability certification from your physician.
Renewing a Texas Disability Placard by Mail
In order to complete the Texas disability placard renewal transaction by mail, applicants will be required to send the filled out application form along with a copy of their driver’s license or identification card to a county tax office address. Since the only type of DMV handicap parking permit that can be renewed is the permanent placard, disabled customers will not be required to remit any fee payment.
However, when renewing your disabled parking permit, you will also be required to either submit a copy of the original application or the expired parking placard. By doing so, the county tax agent will be able to locate your records and process your request.
Renewing a Texas Disability Placard in Person
Disabled individuals who choose to renew a Texas disability placard in person will be required to follow very similar steps as those that apply for the mail-in transaction, which was outlined above. As such, applicants who need information on how to renew a disability parking permit in person must note that they will only be required to submit the application form along with any pertinent documents to their local county tax collector’s site. After the processing of your handicap placard renewal request, you will receive a new permanent blue parking placard.
How to Replace Disability Placards in Texas
A disability placard replacement in Texas is reserved for applicants who have lost or damaged their credentials. In addition, duplicate disabled parking tags are issued to customers whose placards were stolen. In any case, if you would like to know how to replace a handicap placard in TX, note that you will have to present a copy of the original application form to a county tax office.
If the lost handicap placard was a short-term red permit, you will be required to pay an applicable service fee. Furthermore, you will be required to reapply for a new disability placard in TX in the event that your original application form is unavailable and the county tax agent is unable to locate your records.
Texas Disability Placard Fees
When applying for disability placards in Texas, residents will be required to pay the placard manufacturing cost only if they are requesting a temporary red parking permit. If you need information about the temporary handicap placard fees, note that you will only be required to pay a base fee per placard. However, if you are mailing your application, you will also be required to pay certain postage fees.