Handicap placard regulations in Delaware state that drivers must meet certain medical criteria and obtain a temporary or permanent handicap parking placard or license plate in order to park in a disabled parking space.
If you are one of the 16% of Delaware residents with a disability, you know how important accessible parking can be. That’s why all states mandate that designated handicap parking spaces be made available. However, requirements vary from state to state, and applying for handicap placards or plates can be confusing.
To clear things up, we've created a guide on how to get a Delaware handicap placard. Continue reading to learn about medical eligibility, the application process, special benefits for disabled veterans, and more!
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers How to get a disabled parking placard or plate in Delaware
To park in a disabled space in Delaware, you’ll need one of the following:
A temporary handicap parking placard (valid for 35 to 90 days)
A permanent handicap parking placard (valid for three years)
Handicap license plates (valid for three years)
All placards and plates will display the International Symbol of Access (ISA), which you’ll likely recognize by its blue-and-white stick figure with a wheelchair. Despite the ISA, you don’t need a wheelchair to qualify for handicap placards and plates. Read on for a list of conditions that may qualify for handicap parking in Delaware on a temporary or permanent basis.
Who’s eligible for a handicap parking placard?
Delaware residents ages 85 and older need only prove their age to obtain permanent handicap placards or plates. Otherwise, to be eligible for handicap parking in Delaware, individuals must have impaired mobility or vision.
You meet Delaware’s handicap threshold if:
You cannot walk more than 200 feet without stopping to rest.
You cannot walk safely without another person or an assistive device such as a cane, crutch, brace, or wheelchair.
Your breathing is restricted by lung disease.
You require portable oxygen.
You have a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition as defined by the American Heart Association.
You are severely limited in your ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
Maybe you were in a wicked surfing accident at one of Delaware’s many beautiful beaches, and you need to use a wheelchair for a couple of months. That constitutes a temporary handicap affecting your mobility, and you’d be eligible for a 90-day handicap parking placard. This permit would allow you to access designated parking spots while rehabbing and may be renewed if your doctor deems it necessary.
Your handicap doesn’t need to be obvious to qualify for special parking. If your vision is so bad you need help crossing a parking lot, or if lung disease makes it difficult to walk even the shortest of distances, you can apply for a permanent handicap parking placard that you may renew every three years.
How to apply
To apply for a handicap parking placard, you’ll need to fill out an application form
. While not especially lengthy, you must provide specific information to be approved. You’ll first need to provide your identifying information, such as your name and address. You then need to select the type of permit you’re applying for:
Permanent handicap parking placard or license plates
Temporary handicap parking placard
To obtain a permanent handicap parking placard or license plate, you must also provide the following information:
Tag number and expiration date
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Gross weight of the vehicle
Then, your physician must complete a certificate of disability, checking off your qualifying medical condition. This portion may be completed by any state-licensed physician.
If you are applying for a temporary parking placard, your physician must specify how long you will need it and complete a new medical certification each time you renew it.
You may submit your application by mail or in person to a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) office. Delaware does not charge any fees for handicap parking placards or license plates. Key Takeaway Your medical provider must certify that your disability or illness meets specific criteria to obtain handicap parking placards or license plates in the state of Delaware.
Renewing a handicap parking placard
To renew permanent handicap parking placards or license plates, simply complete a self-certification before your current placards or plates expire. Your physician does not need to recertify your handicap.
For your convenience, you may renew your permanent handicap placards or plates online
. Permanent handicap placards and plates must be renewed every three years. Temporary handicap parking placards must be renewed every 90 days. To renew your temporary handicap parking placard, you must complete the same initial application form and have a physician recertify your handicap.
Guidelines for veterans with disabilities
If you are a Delaware resident and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces with a service-connected handicap, you may be eligible for disabled veteran plates.
You can apply for disabled veteran plates online
or at your local Delaware DMV branch. Your impairment needs to be service-connected, and you must provide a copy of certified eligibility from the Veterans Administration. A one-time fee of $10 must be included with your application.
How to find savings on car insurance in Delaware
Coping with a disability can be frustrating and extraordinarily expensive. Make your life a little bit easier and save money by using Jerry
, the App Store’s #1 car insurance
app, to shop for better-priced car insurance. Download Jerry, answer a few questions, and in less than 45 seconds Jerry will provide you with a selection of top quotes sourced from over 50 of the nation’s top insurance providers. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy once you make your pick!
Jerry users save an average of $800+ per year on car insurance, all without any unnecessary phone calls, needless forms, or long wait times.
“This app is all about savings! Jerry
just saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic.” —Rachel B.
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowFAQs
Yes. You may renew your handicap placard online in Delaware. If you have a permanent disability, you do not need to provide a physician’s certification each time you renew. Permanent handicap placards and plates must be renewed every three years. Temporary handicap placards must be renewed every 90 days.
Temporary and permanent handicap placards are free of charge in Delaware. Disabled veteran plates require a one-time fee of $10.
