Driving with a disability often results in specific difficulties when behind the wheel, whether it’s a permanent condition or a temporary injury. Each state supplies license plates and placards permitting drivers with a disability to park in certain accessible spots. The laws related to these critical placards vary state by state, which is why it is crucial to be aware of the rules in your home state.

If you’re one of the 33% of Alabamans with a disability, you may qualify for a disabled parking placard. To learn how to obtain one, review this helpful guide.

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How to get a disabled parking placard or plate in Alabama

To park in a disabled space anywhere in Alabama, you’ll need one of three things:

A red temporary disabled parking placard (expires in 6 months or less)

A blue permanent disabled parking placard (eligible for renewal every 5 years)

A disability access license plate (only for drivers with permanent disabilities)

All three of these placards depict the International Symbol of Access (ISA), which you likely know as the blue-and-white stick figure with a wheelchair. That said, being confined to a wheelchair is not needed to be eligible for a disabled placard in Alabama.

Below we list the situations—from temporary injuries to long-term disabilities—that could provide you disabled parking permissions in the Yellowhammer State.

MORE:

Car insurance for disabled drivers

Who’s eligible for a disabled parking placard?

If any of the following conditions apply to you then, you meet the legal definition of disability in Alabama:

Cannot walk one hundred (100) feet without stopping to rest

Cannot walk without the use of or assistance

Severe lung disease

Uses portable oxygen

Certain cardiac conditions

Spinal cord injury

Genetic ambulatory disorder

An amputation

Spina bifida

Multiple Sclerosis

Chronic heart disease

For all of the above, a Licensed Physician’s or Organization’s Certification for Issuance of a Special License Plate or Certificate for a Person with a Disability must be completed by your doctor.

Perhaps you wiped out on your skateboard—leading to a surgery where pins and screws now literally hold your femur together. Since this injury resulted in a temporary disability inhibiting your mobility, you would qualify for a red six-month disabled parking placard.

But when it comes to permanent disabilities, the examples may not be as apparent. For instance, if your asthma makes it difficult to walk across the parking lot of Publix, you are eligible to apply for a permanent disabled parking placard.

Additionally, you can

apply for a disabled parking license plate

, but the disadvantage is it only applies to your car. If you opt for the placard, you can take it with you from car to car, whether you're driving or being driven.

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How to apply

To apply for any type of disabled parking placard or license plates, you must complete the

Application for Disability Access Parking Credentials

. It’s not a complex form by any means, but we’ll go over a few of the steps.

First, you’ll need to provide your identifying information: name, address, and driver’s license or ID card number. You’ll then get to select the type of permit you’re applying for:

Disability Access License Plate(s)

Disability Access Placard(s)

Temporary Disability Access Placard(s)

Qualified applicants are entitled to one disability access plate for each motor vehicle they own. They may also obtain one disability access placard regardless of the vehicles owned by the applicant.

Qualified applicants not obtaining a disability access license plate are eligible for one additional placard (for a maximum of two).

Individuals with qualified disabilities must obtain a licensed physician’s certification prior to the initial issuance of disability access placards and/or

license plates

Individuals with long-term disabilities may self-certify their qualifying disability if they are renewing their disability access placards and/or license plates.

Fees for disability access parking privileges:

$23.00 regular license plate fee for each private passenger automobile

$15.00 regular license plate fee for each motorcycle plate

No charge for disability access placards. Fees (or exemption from fees) for disability access military license plate

Renewing a disabled parking placard

To renew Long-Term Disability Access Plates and Placards, you must complete a new application to affirm that you still meet the requirements. There’s no fee to refile.

If your temporary disability extends beyond six months, you’ll need to fill out a full application for a new temporary pass. If you’re applying for a renewal for a permanent placard, on the other hand, you only need to complete page 1 of the form—your doctor’s statement isn’t required for renewal.

Key Takeaway: To apply for a disabled parking placard in Alabama, you’ll need a licensed physician’s certification prior to the initial issuance certifying that you have a qualifying vision or mobility issue.

MORE:

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Guidelines for veterans with disabilities

If you’re a disabled veteran and a resident of Alabama, you can get Disabled Veteran Disability Access Plates for one vehicle. You’ll also need the Veterans Administration (VA) to certify that your impairment is service-connected.

The registration fees and benefits vary as follows:

10% or higher disability:

First plate exempt from registration fees

Limited to 1 plate

Over 50% disability or vehicle has special mechanical control devices:

$5 annual fee

No limit of plates issued

Vehicle all or partly paid for by VA:

First plate exempt from registration fees and ad valorem tax

Limited to 1 plate

You will also need to complete the Application for Disability Access Parking Privileges and provide your identification and a VA rating certification. After 5 years, you will need to renew your Alabama Disabled Veteran Plate.

MORE:

The best car insurance for military families and veterans

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