If it’s difficult to walk 100 feet without exacerbating pain from either a temporary or permanent condition, you can qualify for a disabled parking placard in South Carolina.
From transportation to work to accessing travel destinations, driving is an essential part of daily life. Being a physical activity, driving can create barriers for those with either temporary injuries or permanent conditions. No one should have to give up driving due to a situation beyond their control, which is why every state does its part to offer convenient parking places
for those who are disabled drivers. While every state has implemented these accessible spots, each has unique regulations, so it’s essential to know how your state enforces the placard rules. For the 14.7% of South Carolina residents with a disability, we're here to break down how to get a placard in the Palmetto State.
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Start earning nowHow to get a disabled parking placard or plate in South Carolina
Before you park in a disabled parking spot in South Carolina, you’ll need either of the following:
A permanent disabled parking placard (valid for four years)
A temporary disabled parking placard (issued for no longer than one year)
While you’ll recognize the International Symbol of Access (ISA) marked on South Carolina spaces portraying the stick figure in a wheelchair, the symbol doesn’t imply that a wheelchair is required to access them. There’s a wide range of certified disabilities determined by a licensed physician that qualifies you for a disabled parking placard in South Carolina.
Who’s eligible for a disabled parking placard?
While South Carolina’s qualifying disabilities are on par with the majority of US states, they’re slightly more inclusive. If walking 100 feet increases the pain of your existing condition whether temporary or permanent, you’ll qualify for a disabled parking placard.
Here’s a full rundown of disabilities that make you eligible for a placard in South Carolina:
Mobility issues that prevent you from walking without assistance from a wheelchair, cane, brace, crutch, prosthetic device, or support person.
Movement challenges caused by lung disease.
Reliability on a portable oxygen tank.
A Class III or Class IV heart condition verified by the American Heart Association.
Mobility issues that stem from arthritis, orthopedic, or neurological conditions. Such conditions include cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease.
Depending on the severity and longevity of your condition, you’ll qualify for either a temporary or permanent disabled parking placard. An acute injury like a slip down the stairs could fall under one of the above-mentioned conditions, and you’ll receive a temporary placard as a result. With a chronic condition like lung disease, you’ll be issued a permanent placard.
No matter what condition describes your situation, you should get a consultation with a verified physician either in person or with a telemedicine appointment. The medical professional will confirm your disability and complete a Disabled Placard and License Plate Application
form. A medical professional will indicate whether your condition is temporary or permanent. They’ll also need to estimate how long you’ll need accessible parking.
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Start earning nowHow to apply
Once a medical professional diagnoses a condition and the length of its effects, it’s time for you to fill out an application. Before you can get the process initiated, you’ll need to ensure you have an updated driver’s license, beginner’s permit, or identification card photo filed with the SCDMV
. From there, you can submit the application form—with the relevant medical section signed by a certified medical professional—directly to the DMV. Along with the application, you’ll need to submit the following fees depending on what you need:
$1 for a disabled placard
$20 for a regular disabled license plate
$50 for a personalized plate
$0 for Disabled Veterans plates
You can either head to the DMV to get your application submitted or mail it to this address:
SC Department of Motor Vehicles
Once everything is received and processed, your placards or plates will arrive in the mail.
Renewing a disabled parking placard
If you need to renew a disabled parking placard, rest assured that it’s a simple process. To know how long you have to renew each placard and plate, follow these timelines:
You can use a temporary placard for up to four months
You can use a permanent placard for four years
You can use a disabled license plate for two years
All you need to do is submit a new application form to a local SCDMV location. Keep in mind that you’ll need an updated medical certification, so plan to go through the same process as your initial application.
Key Takeaway To get a new or renewed disabled parking placard in South Carolina, you’ll need a certified medical professional to sign off on your condition.
MORE: The most common types of car accident injuries
Guidelines for veterans with disabilities
South Carolina veterans can receive disabled license plates for free. To do so, they’ll need tosubmit proper certification from the Veterans Administration and provide verification from their physician indicating that they’re permanently disabled.
The first step is to submit the MV-37 Application for Military License form and a document from the Veterans Administration certifying their wartime disability. Additionally, a licensed physician needs to provide a prescription order and certify a permanently handicapped condition on the Disabled License Plate and Placard Application.
There’s a limit of two plates per applicant, including either two vehicle plates, two motorcycle plates, or one of each.
How to find savings on car insurance in South Carolina
Healthcare and hospital bills can stack up whether they’re for a temporary or lifelong condition. The last thing you should be paying outside of your budget for is car insurance, and Jerry
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