Disability Placards in Rhode Island
A Rhode Island disabled person parking placard may be obtained from the Disability Parking Placards Office, which is overseen by the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Disabled drivers may obtain a handicap placard when they are medically certified to have a temporary, long-term or permanent disability, impeding their walking and driving abilities. In general, a disabled parking placard is used for parking motor vehicles in specifically designated parking places for individuals with disabilities.
In order to obtain these types of credentials, applicants need to satisfy certain disability placard requirements and submit the mandatory paperwork. Furthermore, to renew or replace a handicap placard, motorists need to perform certain procedures through the RI DMV and provide the required documentation. Drivers who are wondering how to apply, renew or replace a handicap placard in RI are encouraged to continue reading the sections below for more information.
Eligibility Requirements for Disability Placards in Rhode Island
In order to apply for a disabled person parking placard in Rhode Island, motorists need to satisfy certain eligibility criteria. As such, a handicap placard may be issued to drivers who have either a temporary or a permanent disability to operate a motor vehicle. Therefore, drivers who wish to submit a disabled placard application need to have at least one of the following conditions:
- Inability to walk without the help of another person or without the use of a wheelchair, cane, brace, crutch or a prosthetic device.
- Need for a portable oxygen.
- Cardiac condition classified as Class III or Class IV according to the standards established by the American Heart Association.
- Legal blindness.
In certain cases, motorists may need to meet additional disability placard requirements after satisfying the above-listed eligibility criteria. In general, applicants for disability placards need to be Rhode Island residents in order to be issued these credentials in the state.
How to Apply for a Disability Placard in Rhode Island
When planning to apply for a disabled person placard in Rhode Island, drivers need to choose their placards based on the length of their disability. They may choose to apply for three different types of disability placards: temporary, long-term or permanent. However, regardless of the type of credential motorists choose, the same application form must be completed.
As a general rule, it is important to note that the application for disability placards must be completed in the name of the disabled driver. As such, the disabled placard application form should not be completed in the name of a parent, caretaker, guardian or a person with a “power of attorney” document.
After providing the disabled driver’s information on the Rhode Island disabled placard application form, a licensed physician must complete the reverse side of the document, certifying the driver’s disability. Once the entire application form is completed, it must be submitted to a Disability Parking Placard Office of the RI DMV.
How to Renew Disability Placards in Rhode Island
Motorists are mandated to renew Rhode Island disability placards whenever these credentials approach their expiration dates. Prior to performing an RI handicap placard renewal procedure, disabled drivers must know the length of their disability, which varies based on the type of credential they have. In general, a temporary placard is valid from two to 12 months.
Conversely, a long-term placard is valid for a period of one to three years. Furthermore, a permanent disabled placard has a validity period of more than three years.
In order to renew a permanent disabled person parking placard in RI, applicants will receive a renewal notice on their mailing addresses, which must be completed and returned to the DMV. On the other hand, when performing a handicap placard renewal procedure for a temporary or long-term placard, applicants need to complete a new application form and provide a licensed physician’s certification on the second page of the form.
Note that drivers who are renewing their disability placards may be required to provide additional documents or information.
How to Replace Disability Placards in Rhode Island
Disabled drivers need to request a Rhode Island disability placard replacement when facing a lost or stolen placard. Prior to beginning this handicap placard replacement procedure, motorists must identify their placard number, which is listed on their Disability Parking Placard Certification.
Then, they must visit a local law enforcement agency to file a police report. In order to file this report, drivers will be required to provide their full name, date of birth, residential address and the number of their lost or stolen placard. Once the police report is completed, motorists must mail it to the DMV or submit the document in person.
After a replacement request has been received and processed, the DMV will issue a new disabled person placard to motorists within seven to 10 business days.
How to Replace Disability Placards by Mail
Drivers who want to replace a lost or stolen handicap placard in Rhode Island need to complete an affidavit for lost credentials and send it to the Disability Parking Placards Office of the RI DMV. Prior to sending the affidavit, disabled person placard holders need to sign it and have it notarized.
How to Replace Disability Placards in Person
When performing a disability placard replacement procedure, placard holders may also visit a local RI DMV office in person and submit a completed affidavit for lost credentials. However, they may be required to provide a valid license or ID card in order to obtain a new placard. Drivers who are unable to replace these documents in person may send another person to perform the procedure in their name. Handicap placard holders will then be required to sign and notarize the affidavit, and give it to the person that will submit it at the RI DMV.
Rhode Island Disability Placard Fees
Motorists wondering how much a disability placard in Rhode Island is need to know that the placards are issued at no cost. Therefore, disabled drivers are not required to pay RI handicap placard fees when renewing, replacing or applying for new credentials.