Disability Parking Permit: DMV Combats Fraudulent Disabled Parking Placard Usage With Awareness, Citations

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ramped up enforcement efforts into the fraudulent use of disabled person parking placards, issuing 167 citations throughout the state in the month of March. About 8% of contacted drivers were found to be using a placard fraudulently. Drivers in Pomona and Stockton were particularly high rate offenders, with citation rates at 20% or greater. Drivers who fraudulently use placards are creating a serious mobility challenge for drivers with disabilities by forcing them to find parking elsewhere, potentially in places that may present accessibility challenges or exacerbate a medical condition. SaveTheSpace is catching on,” said DMV spokesperson Jaime Garza via email. Garza said the public service announcement received positive feedback. The television spot aired more than 600 times on various TV stations throughout the state and was watched nearly 30,000 times on DMV’s social media in March. DMV also created a series of testimonial videos where placard owners could talk about the importance of the campaign, and a poster that social media users were encouraged to download and display in their homes and offices. If possible, provide the placard’s issuance number, make and model of the vehicle, the license plate number, and the location where the suspected abuse is occurring.

It may be called a permanent disabled placard, but it doesn't last forever. In California, disabled placards are valid for only two years. The DMV automatically renews. Sends out new permanent placards two times as they expire. On the third renewal date, the person has to apply again, but there is no requirement to obtain a medical certificate. When the person's address changes, they must send a Notice of Change of Address to the California DMV. A temporary parking placard expires after six months. A person needs to submit a new application signed by a medical professional to get a new placard. This can be done up to six times. Under the California Vehicle Code, it is illegal to misuse a DP plate or placard and for a person without a DP badge to use a space reserved for a disabled person. Both violations are punishable by fines. Only the disabled person who applies for a plate or a placard can use it for parking privileges. A person may be fined or given a citation if they let someone else use their placard, use someone else's placard, or fraudulently obtain a badge. It is fraud to forge a medical professional's signature on the application, provide false information to obtain a badge, change a placard, or possess or display a counterfeit placard or license plates.

Most states will honor a handicap placard issued in another state, but you should check the DMV website for the state you are traveling to. In some instances, you may be required to apply for a temporary permit, which would require you to bring a statement from your doctor along with you. If traveling outside of the United States, check local laws in your destination. Some countries, such as Canada, have a reciprocity agreement with the U.S. Can I use my handicap placard in someone else’s car? Yes. You are permitted to use your handicap placard in any vehicle in which you are either the driver or a passenger. Just don’t let anyone borrow your handicap placard when you’re not in the vehicle, as this would be a violation of state law. Do handicap placards expire? Yes. Both temporary. Permanent placards expire. Both temporary. Permanent placards expire. The expiration date will vary by state, but temporary placards typically last six months, and permanent placards typically last two to five years. In some states, like Nevada, they’re good for up to 10 years at a time.

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