Information for Disabled Drivers in Maine
Individuals with disabilities can apply for a Maine handicap placard through the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The disability placards offered by the state BMV are available in two main types: a blue one issued to applicants with permanent disabilities and a six-month red one issued for temporary conditions. However, a green ME disability parking permit is also available for agencies that transport disabled individuals.
Those with handicap parking tags can utilize them to legally park in specially marked spaces reserved for handicapped individuals. The BMV disabled placard can also be used to park in metered parking areas without paying the meter fees. Learn more about requesting, renewing and replacing an ME disabled person parking tag by reading the following sections.
Eligibility Requirements for Disability Placards in Maine
The application process for placards can only be initiated by applicants who meet the qualifications as set forth under the current state statutes. Therefore, prior to applying for a disability placard in ME, you must obtain a physician’s certification for one or more of the following medical conditions:
- You cannot walk without the assistance of another individual or a helping device.
- You cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
- You use a portable oxygen tank.
- Your ability to walk is restricted due to a cardiac, orthopedic, neurological or arthritic condition.
- You have a serious lung disease that restricts your respiratory capabilities.
Note: The temporary red handicap placard can also be obtained by applicants recovering from childbirth.
The documentation disability placard requirements in ME, on the other hand, include a filled out Application for Disability Plates/Placard (Form PS-18) and a driving license or an ID card. Applicants do not require an additional disability certification since their physician can provide the necessary statement and signature on the PS-18 form.
How to Apply for a Disability Placard in Maine
The Maine disabled placard application can be completed by submitting the application form by mail, by fax or in person. The requirements to obtain a placard remain the same regardless of the chosen method of application. However, when applying for an ME handicap badge in person, customers may be required to present an official photo ID as well instead of just filling out the corresponding driving license or ID card number on the application form.
Applying for a Maine Disability Placard by Mail
To complete the application procedure for a Maine disabled person placard by mail, applicants will be required to fill out the PS-18 form, mentioned above, and send it to the BMV Disability Clerk address in Augusta, ME. Prior to mailing your ME application for car parking permits, however, you must ensure that every applicable section is properly filled out and that it contains your physician’s certification and legal signature.
Applying for a Maine Disability Placard by Fax
The procedure to renew a disabled person placard in Maine by fax follows very similar steps as to those that apply for the mail-in process, outlined above. However, instead of mailing the application, customers will be required to fax it to the corresponding BMV number.
Applying for a Maine Disability Placard in Person
Drivers can apply for a Maine disability placard in person by delivering the filled out PS-18 form to any BMV branch office within the state. In order to expedite the disabled placard application process in such cases, applicants can obtain the PS-18 form through the bureau’s website and complete it prior to their office visit. By doing so, customers will avoid making a double visit. Prior to processing an application, BMV agents may also ask for official photo ID.
How to Renew Disability Placards in Maine
The Maine handicap placard renewal is a process that can only be completed by holders of the permanent blue handicap placard. Temporary permits are issued with a maximum validity of six months. Disabled individuals will be unable to renew this short-term placard if their condition persists, and they will have to reapply for a new temporary permit. The permanent disabled person placard, on the other hand, expires on the same date as the applicant’s license to drive or identification card.
Therefore, prior to renewing an expired document, applicants will also be required to renew their license to drive or identification card. If you are wondering how to renew a disability parking permit, note that the state BMV offers the same in-person, by-mail and by-fax methods that are available for getting a new permit.
Renewing a Maine Disability Placard by Mail
To complete the Maine disabled placard renewal procedure by mail, disabled customers will be required to fill out the same application form used for the issuance of an original permit and send it to the BMV Augusta office. Note that when utilizing the PS-18 form to renew an expired placard, applicants will not be required to obtain a new physician’s certification.
Also, prior to mailing the renewal application, disabled individuals must ensure that they check the corresponding renewal box on the request form.
Renewing a Maine Disability Placard by Fax
Renewing a Maine disability parking tag by fax involves a very similar transaction to the mail-in handicap placard renewal outlined above. However, instead of mailing your application to renew an expired document, you will be required to fax it to the official BMV fax number.
The benefit of using the fax-in application method over the mail-in method is that you will succeed in delivering your application more quickly. You will receive your renewed document once the state BMV locates your record and processes your request.
Renewing a Maine Disability Placard in Person
If you are wondering how to renew your disability parking placard in Maine in person, note that every BMV location within the state accepts walk-in renewal requests. To successfully complete the in-person disabled driver car tag, applicants will be required to submit a properly filled out PS-18 and present an official identification document, if asked to do so. To facilitate the process in person, you can contact the state BMV prior to your office visit to verify the documents necessary to finalize the transaction.
How to Replace Disability Placards in Maine
The Maine disability placard replacement is reserved for applicants with lost, stolen or destroyed permits. If you are wondering how to replace a handicap tag in ME, note that you can obtain a duplicate permit either by phone or in person.
Regardless of the chosen replacement method, applicants will be able to complete the procedure only if their lost permit is still valid. The duplicate placard will have the same expiration date as the old permit.
Replacing a Maine Disability Placard by Phone
To replace a Maine handicap placard in a convenient manner, disabled customers can contact the bureau by phone and provide the necessary information to a BMV agent. When completing the handicap placard replacement by phone, applicants will generally be required to give a reason for requesting a duplicate placard, their personal data and information about the lost permit, such as its expiration date and number.
Replacing a Maine Disability Placard in Person
Applicants can also obtain a duplicate of a lost disabled placard in Maine by making an office visit and providing the necessary information in person. The requirements to replace a disability parking sticker in person are the same as those that apply for the above by-phone method. Therefore, once you provide the information necessary to complete the ME disability placard replacement, the BMV representative will locate your records and process your request.
Maine Disability Placard Fees
Disabled individuals who need information fees for these placards must note that the state BMV does not impose any costs. Therefore, when completing an ME disabled car tag procedure, applicants will not be required to pay any handicap placard fees. However, if you are mailing your application for a disability parking tag, unrelated postage costs may still apply.