In Vermont, 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 ambulatory disorders or are blind.

Ambulatory disorders mean an impaired or limited ability to walk. A person is considered to have ambulatory disorder if he or she:

• 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 or use portable oxygen.
• A cardiac condition classified by the American Heart Association as Class III or Class IV.

Disabled persons can acquire a Disabled Person (DP) placard or DP 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. Any person, other than a disabled person parking in the place reserved for disabled parking will be fined for each violation. They are also liable for towing charges and at least a portion of the storage charges. (An artisan's lien may be imposed for the payment of the charges assessed).

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:

• Placards for the permanently disabled are valid for 4 years.
• Temporary placards are valid for up to 6 months and it cannot be extended or renewed.

How to apply for DP license plates or a DP placard

To obtain DP license plates:

1. Download and complete the Registration
2. Have a licensed physician, certified physician's assistant, or a licensed advanced practice nurse sign the Universal Medical Evaluation Form
3. Mail the completed form, along with any fees, to the address on the form.

To obtain a Permanent DP placard:

1. Download and complete the Application for Disabled Person Placard.
2. Have a licensed physician, certified physician's assistant, or a licensed advanced practice nurse sign the Universal Medical Evaluation Form
3. Mail the completed form to the address on the form.
4. You will be issued two placards from the DMV.

To obtain a Temporary DP placard    

1. Download and complete the Temporary Disabled Parking Placard.
2. Have a licensed physician, certified physician's assistant, or a licensed advanced practice nurse sign the Universal Medical Evaluation Form
3. Mail the completed form, along with any fees, to the address on the form.

FEE

No additional fees will be charged for a DP License plate or placard.

RENEWAL

A new Universal Medical Form. has to be submitted every four years for renewal of permanent placards and every third year for registration of plates. If a licensed physician, certified physician's assistant, or a licensed advanced practice nurse state explicitly that the condition of the applicant is permanent and stable, then the Universal Medical Form need not be submitted for renewal.

REPLACEMENT

To replace lost, stolen or mutilated placards or plates, visit your local DMV office.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Location and hours of Vermont DMV offices.
• Vermont honors disabled plates and placards of other states.