PA Handicap Placard: Your Easy Guide to Eligibility!
Understanding the process for obtaining a pennsylvania handicap placard can seem daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is the primary agency responsible for issuing these placards, and eligibility hinges on specific medical conditions that impair mobility. Many individuals find the application forms, available through healthcare providers, to be the initial step, allowing them to provide documented verification of their condition. Knowing how to utilize your pennsylvania handicap placard for convenient parking at locations like the local shopping center is a key benefit for many.
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Pennsylvania Handicap Placard: Your Easy Guide to Eligibility!
This guide provides a clear and straightforward explanation of how to obtain a Pennsylvania handicap placard, also known as a disabled person parking placard. We'll cover eligibility requirements, the application process, and important information to help you navigate the system.
Understanding the Pennsylvania Handicap Placard
What is a Pennsylvania Handicap Placard?
A Pennsylvania handicap placard allows individuals with qualifying disabilities to park in designated accessible parking spaces. This helps individuals with mobility limitations gain easier access to buildings, services, and other destinations. It’s important to note that it is valid only in Pennsylvania and other states that honor out-of-state disabled parking permits.
Types of Pennsylvania Handicap Placards
Pennsylvania offers two primary types of handicap placards:
- Permanent Placards: Issued to individuals with permanent disabilities. These placards are valid for five years and require renewal.
- Temporary Placards: Issued to individuals with temporary disabilities, such as those recovering from surgery or an injury. These placards are valid for a period of up to six months, as determined by a licensed medical professional.
Determining Your Eligibility for a Pennsylvania Handicap Placard
Eligibility for a Pennsylvania handicap placard is determined by specific medical conditions that significantly limit mobility. Here's a breakdown of the qualifying conditions:
- Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
- Cannot walk without the assistance of another person or assistive device such as a cane, crutch, brace, wheelchair, or other assistive device.
- Are restricted by lung disease to such 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.
- Have a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
- Are severely limited in their ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
- Have specific acute or chronic condition that the licensed healthcare provider considers to be life-threatening, or the condition compromises the person's ability to access medical care in a timely manner.
Important Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Your healthcare provider will ultimately determine if your specific condition qualifies you for a Pennsylvania handicap placard.
The Application Process for a Pennsylvania Handicap Placard
Applying for a Pennsylvania handicap placard requires completing an application form and obtaining certification from a licensed healthcare professional.
Steps to Apply:
- Obtain the Application Form: Download Form MV-145A, "Application for Persons with Disability Parking Placard or Plate," from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) website or pick up a copy at a PennDOT Driver License Center.
- Complete the Application: Fill out the applicant section of the form with your personal information. Be sure to accurately provide your name, address, date of birth, and driver's license or identification card number.
- Medical Certification: Take the application form to a licensed healthcare provider. This includes physicians (MD or DO), physician assistants, chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists and certified registered nurse practitioners. The healthcare provider must complete and sign the medical certification section of the form, verifying your qualifying disability.
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Submit the Application: Mail the completed application to:
PennDOT Bureau of Vehicle Services P.O. Box 68268 Harrisburg, PA 17106-8268
- Wait for Approval: PennDOT will review your application and notify you of their decision. If approved, your Pennsylvania handicap placard will be mailed to the address provided on the application.
Required Information for the Application
The application form (MV-145A) requires the following information:
| Section | Information Required |
|---|---|
| Applicant Information | Name, Address, Date of Birth, Driver's License/ID Number, Phone Number |
| Disability Information | Indication of Permanent or Temporary Disability, Description of Disability |
| Healthcare Provider Certification | Healthcare Provider's Name, Address, License Number, Signature, Date |
Using Your Pennsylvania Handicap Placard
Displaying Your Placard
- When parking in a designated accessible parking space, hang the Pennsylvania handicap placard from your rearview mirror so that it is clearly visible.
- If your vehicle does not have a rearview mirror, display the placard on the dashboard where it is easily visible.
Rules and Regulations
- The Pennsylvania handicap placard is for the exclusive use of the individual to whom it was issued.
- It is illegal to use the placard if the person it was issued to is not being transported in the vehicle.
- Misuse of the placard can result in fines and penalties.
- Handicap parking privileges do not allow you to park in no-parking zones or obstruct traffic.
Renewing a Pennsylvania Handicap Placard
Permanent Placards:
Permanent Pennsylvania handicap placards are valid for five years. PennDOT will mail a renewal application to your address on file before the expiration date. The renewal process is similar to the initial application, requiring medical certification from a licensed healthcare provider.
Temporary Placards:
Temporary Pennsylvania handicap placards cannot be renewed. If your disability persists beyond the expiration date of your temporary placard, you must apply for a new placard.
Video: PA Handicap Placard: Your Easy Guide to Eligibility!
FAQs About Pennsylvania Handicap Placards
Got questions about obtaining a Pennsylvania handicap placard? Here are some common questions and answers to help you understand the eligibility requirements and application process.
What specific conditions qualify me for a Pennsylvania handicap placard?
To be eligible, your disability must severely impair your mobility. Examples include the inability to walk 200 feet without rest, reliance on assistive devices like wheelchairs, significant limitations due to lung disease or cardiac condition (Class III or IV), or a severe arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition. A licensed medical professional in Pennsylvania must certify your disability on the application.
How long is a Pennsylvania handicap placard valid?
Permanent placards are generally valid for five years. Temporary Pennsylvania handicap placards are issued for a period determined by your physician, up to a maximum of six months. Renewal applications are typically mailed to you prior to the expiration date.
Can I use my Pennsylvania handicap placard in other states?
Yes, most states honor valid handicap placards issued by other states, including Pennsylvania. However, it's always wise to check the specific regulations of the state you're visiting to ensure compliance.
What's the penalty for misusing a Pennsylvania handicap placard?
Misusing a Pennsylvania handicap placard, such as allowing someone who is not eligible to use it, is a serious offense. Penalties can include fines, revocation of the placard, and even criminal charges in some cases. The placard is strictly for the use of the person with the qualifying disability.
