Parking in a disabled space in Arizona requires that the vehicle display the proper disabled placard and/or disabled license plates.
For people with disabilities, driving represents a unique challenge outside of the usual problems with traffic. In order to make things easier, disabled drivers in all 50 states have the option of applying for special handicap parking placards or license plates, along with special car insurance discounts. The rules are different from state to state, though, so it’s a good idea to research how things are done in your specific area.
If you are one of the 12.6% of Arizonans with a disability, you could qualify for a disabled parking placard.
MORE: All about Arizona license plates
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In order to park in a disabled space in Arizona, you must either have a red temporary parking placard, a blue permanent parking placard, or disabled license plates displayed somewhere on your vehicle. Temporary placards are valid for six months, while permanent placards are valid for five years.
All of these passes will feature the International Symbol of Access (ISA). The ISA probably looks familiar to you—it’s the white stick figure in a wheelchair on a blue background.
Of course, not all disabilities require a wheelchair, so the next section is dedicated to the conditions and parameters that you must meet to be eligible to apply for a disabled placard.
Who is eligible for a disabled parking placard?
Mobility seems to be the determining factor for disabled parking eligibility in Arizona. Under the law, conditions include, but are not limited to:
Not being able to walk 200 feet without rest
Having a cardiac condition
Suffering from a neurological, arthritic or orthopedic condition
Having a restrictive lung disease
Needing a mobility device like a wheelchair, crutch, brace or cane
Requiring portable oxygen
Keep in mind: There are disabled parking placards for both temporary and permanent disabilities. If you were to fall off a Lime scooter and break your arm, you could qualify for a red six-month temporary disabled parking placard while you recuperate.
On the other hand, a permanent disability like muscular dystrophy or a heart condition means that you might qualify for a permanent disabled parking placard.
Remember, too, that disabled parking plates are always an option, but the downside is that they only apply to that specific vehicle. Conversely, placards can be moved around from vehicle to vehicle, whether you’re the passenger or the driver.
MORE: How to register a car in Arizona
How to apply
Regardless of whether you’re applying for a temporary or permanent placard, you will still have to fill out and submit a Disability - Hearing Impaired Plate/Placards Application
. If you’re applying for disabled plates, you’ll also have to fill out the Special Plate Application
. The Plate/Placard form is actually fairly easy to fill out. All you really need to do is give them certain identifying information like name, address, date of birth, and VIN.
The second half of the application is for a licensed medical professional to fill out and certify your particular disability. After that, the only thing left to do is submit the application.
There is no option to submit your application online at the moment, so you’ll have to do so either by mail or in-person. Applications can be submitted in-person at any Arizona MVD location, or they can be mailed to the following address:
Mail Drop 801Z, Special Plates Unit, Motor Vehicle Division PO Box 2100 Phoenix, AZ 85001-2100
Renewing a disabled parking placard
If the recovery window for your temporary disability is longer than six months, you will have to fully re-apply for a new temporary placard before your old one expires. Permanent placards can be renewed after five years by completing the Placard Renewal/Replacement Request
. Renewal forms may be delivered in-person at any MVD location or sent to the mailing address above. Note that there is a $5 renewal fee, so don’t forget to include a check or money order.
Guidelines for veterans with disabilities
Arizona veterans with a service-connected disability are eligible for Disabled Veterans License Plates
. To apply for Disabled Veteran plates, you must fill out and submit both the Disability - Hearing Impaired Plate/Placards Application
and the Special Plate Application
. There is a standard plate fee of $25 and a personalized fee of $50. Once completed, the application can be sent to the mailing address listed above.
How to find savings on car insurance in Arizona
It goes without saying that living with disabilities can be expensive, whether they’re lifelong or only temporary. Getting discounts on your car insurance
is a good way to save a little extra cash, and Jerry
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