American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a privately held not-for-profit national member association and service organization in the United States and Canada.
The AAA is known for its occasional high-profile motorist advisories. AAA Roadside assistance provides paid service which includes: changing flat tires, towing, bringing fuel, battery assistance and locksmith. These services can be used in case of emergency. The member of AAA needs to call AAA’s telephone number or reach out on their website to get the required assistance. As of December 2022, there are 3 different plans and the prices range offered by AAA between $59 and $128 per year. It is one of the best and trusted roadside assistance services in the United States.
Who is given a Disability Parking Placard
Special parking privileges are available for the people who have certain disabilities. The ones with disabilities who are certified by a health care provider as permanently disabled are eligible for a “Handicap Placard or a permanent Persons with Disability Parking Placard.” Those whose disability is temporary may be eligible for a temporary Persons with Disability Parking Placard.
A “Handicap Placard or Persons Disability Parking Placard” is issued to the disabled person for their personal use to transport the person with a disability and should only be used when that person is being transported in the vehicle.
Defining a person with a Disability
You are eligible to receive a disability placard if you have any of the following mobility impairments:
- You have lost one or more of the lower extremities of your hands.
- You have lost one or both hands to any extent.
- You have a diagnosed disease that considerably interferes with or impairs your mobility.
- You cannot move without the help of an assistive device of any kind.
- You have diagnosed, definitive, and documented visual problems. It includes lower-vision impairment or partial-sightedness.
Disabled Veteran license plates
If you’re a disabled war veteran, you may be eligible for DV license plates.While applying for DV license plate you must fill the Disabled Veteran Certification on the Miscellaneous Certifications. Vehicle registration and license fees are waived if you possess these license plates.
- You can apply if you have any of the following:
- You must have a disability rated 100% by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It can also be from the military service that discharged you.
- You cannot use one or more limbs.
- You are permanently blind.
- You are unable to move without the help of an assistive device.
All fees are waived for a disabled veteran on any one of the following:
- Passenger vehicle.
- Motorcycle.
- Commercial vehicle weighing 4 tons or less.
- The vehicle must be owned by the applicant. It must always possess the DV License Plate.
- If you qualify for two exempt plates like DV and Ex-POW, you can obtain any one license plate.
Disability Placard Privileges
You receive special parking privileges as a disabled person or disabled veteran displaying a special license plate or disability placard.
You can park for any amount of time in these places:
- You may park in places with a wheelchair symbol. It is the International symbol of access.
- You may park beside a blue curb. Blue curbs signify parking spaces for the disabled.
- You may park beside a green curb.
- You may park in an area that indicates it requires a resident or merchant permit.
- You may park at any on-street location with a posted time limit.
- Also, Service stations must refuel a disabled person’s vehicle at self-service rates. It’s exempted if the fuel point has only one employee on duty.
Disabled Placard and License Plate Limitations
- Vehicles can not park in the crosshatched pattern besides a space displaying the wheelchair symbol. It is a space reserved for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access.
- Vehicles may not park beside red curbs. They denote no stopping, standing, or parking.
- Vehicles can not park beside a yellow curb. This space is for commercial vehicles. They use it to load and unload passengers or freight.
- Vehicles can not park beside a white curb. It is for loading and unloading passengers. Else it is used to deposit mail in the mailbox nearby.
- Off-Street Parking in Garages or Surface Lots: All off-street parking places have disability parking spaces. Yet, disabled people who want to park in these places must pay parking fees if asked. It applies to both private and public off-street parking spaces. Disability privileges for free parking with DP placards only apply to on-street parking. Even if these privately owned parking spaces do not charge fees, vehicles must abide by any posted ordinances or restrictions listed at those places.
- Parking in areas reserved for Residential Permit: Vehicles with DP placards may not display a Residential Parking Permit if parking in a permit area. Nonetheless, said vehicles may not park inside any zone where state law or local ordinances prohibit vehicles from stopping. Vehicles with DP or DV placards also must abide by street cleaning restrictions.
- No Parking at Certain Times: There are signs stating ”No Parking” followed by a specific time (like 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.). Vehicles displaying a DP placard, are not allowed to park in these spaces during the posted time. Park in these spaces outside the posted times as long as the time restriction is abided by.
- Parking Time limits: Vehicles must abide by the parking time limits of the city. It may not be allowed to park on the street or at one location for more than a particular period. Be aware and check the parking laws of any place that you visit beforehand.
Does AAA provide handicap placards at AAA?
AAA is committed in assisting its members outsmart their everyday life roadblocks. AAA is happy to assist its current members with listed DMV services in most of our AAA branches. For more information, visit https://mwg.aaa.com/automotive/dmv/ca-dmv-services.
AAA branches in California offer the following services:
- Renew vehicle registration
- Renew boat/trailer registration
- Get duplicate registration certificates and temporary operation permits
- Disabled plates and temporary disabled placards.
- Order personalized plates
- Order duplicate plates
- Reinstate registrations suspended due to lapse in insurance
- Register vehicles from out of state
- Get replacement registration stickers
- Register and renew Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
- Get duplicate title
- Transfer ownership
- Get International Driving Permit (IDP)
- If you have a wheelchair lift or carrier, DMV gives free window decals. It is given if the wheelchair lift blocks the view of the rear license plate.
The decal comes with black numbers and letters on a white background matching the license plate. The decal can be put on the rear window of the vehicle.
Eligibility criterion (any one of the following):
- You possess a DP placard.
- Your helpers possess a DP placard.
- You possess a DP or DV License Plate.
Can I get a handicapped placard at AAA if I’m not a member?
Only the members at AAA can get their handicap placard from AAA. In order to get a membership at AAA you can apply online or you can find the nearest local AAA office by calling on 866-222-6595 or browse at the AAA website.
*How much does the AAA membership costs?The AAA offers it’s membership at different levels as per your comfort:
The Classic/Basic: costs 40$-74$ (For limited distance from home)
AAA Plus: 60$-124$ (For regular drive upto 10 miles from home)
AAA Premier: 77$-164$ (Frequent)
How do I get a handicap placard from AAA
Step by step process of getting a handicap placard from AAA
In order to apply for a disabled/handicap parking permit:
If you are applying in-person, an appointment is supposed to be taken. Make an appointment here. https://dmv.cluballiance.aaa.com
Complete “Part A” of the application form – Permanent permit form , Temporary permit form.
Forms can also be obtained at any AAA Office Application for Disabled Parking Placard/Plate (Form MAB100) (PDF), which must include medical certification by any of the following:
#Medical Doctor.
#Chiropractor.
#Physician Assistant.
#Registered Nurse.
#Osteopath.
#Optometrist (for legal blindness ONLY), or by contacting the AAA Contact Center https://cluballiance.aaa.com/MemberNonMemberLanding?zip=08701&devicecd=PC
Temporary permits have a $5 application fee.
*NOTE: The application cannot be faxed or emailed to the DMV.*
After having “Part B” completed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, psychiatrist (under contract or employed by the USVA), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), ophthalmologist, optometrist, or a member of the Connecticut Board of Services and Education for the Blind.
Under the following conditions Medical Certification of Disability is not needed:
- You have lost a lower extremity on one or both hands. Then, You must appear in person at a DMV office with a completed application.
- You have a permanent DP Placard or DP/DV License Plates assigned to you or your vehicle. Then, you must enter the license plate number in part “A” of your application.
NOTE: Make sure that the medical documents are submitted with the doctor’s and the applicant’s signatures.
How long does it take to get a handicap placard in California?
It takes approximately 4 weeks to receive your disabled placard or plates after you have successfully submitted your application.
Types of Handicap/Disability Placard Permits
Placards vs. License Plates
Placards grant you the same parking privileges as License Plates.
You must fix the license plates to the vehicle for which it is issued. Thus they are ideal for personal use by the disabled driver.
You can use placards on any vehicle on the other hand. It is perfect to use by a caregiver who transports a disabled person.
Different types of Handicap Placard
There are 3 types of disability/handicap placards:
- The Red placards are for people with temporary disabilities, and temporary permits.
- The Dark blue placards- are for those with permanent disabilities. Though these permits indicate a permanent disability, they may still be subject to renewal periods.
- The Light blue placards- are for “wheelchair users only” specific parking spaces. The renewal period varies by state.
Are these free and if not then how much do they cost?:
One can get their Application for Disabled Person Placard by going to their nearest local American Automobile Association (AAA) Office or printing the documents online.
There are two types of handicap/disability placard permits:-Temporary and Permanent permits. A permit requires certification from a medical professional for verification.
Permits for the Temporary Disability have a $5 application fee. They are valid for up to six months from the date of issue. The date noted by the medical professional on the application is considered if it is shorter. It cannot be renewed six times in a row.
A permit for a Permanent Disability has no application cost and is valid for the same term as a driver’s license. The permit holder will receive a renewal notice approximately 45 days prior to expiration.
There is one other type of placard issued for travel purposes. These are different for residents and non-residents of the state with different periods. They are given if you have a DP placard, DP, or DV license plate.
NOTE: Disabilities or blindness can be certified for minors, however, please bear in mind that the minor must meet the same criteria for disability or blindness.
What do I need to take to AAA for performing DMV tasks?
You have to take the following things when applying for DMV things at AAA:
- Valid AAA Membership Card
- Valid driver’s license, government-issued ID, or DMV ID card
- California DMV paperwork.If it is a vehicle-specific transaction, your name must be on the vehicle title or registration paperwork.
- Your payment for DMV services. Mostly all Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are accepted for transactions.
Does AAA charge any additional fees while applying for DP placard?
A fee of 1.72% is charged by AAA. It applies if you pay using a credit card. This fee helps cover costs to AAA for processing credit card payments in DMV transactions. The fee does not apply when paying by cash or debit card. AAA does not accept payment by cheque
Can I get 2 handicap placards?
If a disabled driver has a second car registered in his/her name or a member of the driver’s immediate family who resides with the driver then he/she can apply for a second placard. The second placard shall be issued without any additional charges.
The Permanent placards expire within two years from the date of issue.
How do you read a handicap placard:
The Permanent disability placards have an identification number at the top and beneath the identification number there may be a place which indicates the last two digits of the issuer’s birth year as well as an expiration date for the placard.
Can I use my handicap placard in another state?
In general, if you have a valid handicap parking permit from your state then the placard should be valid in all 50 states. States like New York and Florida always recognise handicap placards, even if the permit holder is from out of state.
What if I have replaced my placard permit:
If your permit is lost, stolen or damaged then you can apply for a replacement stating the reason for the same. You must have a valid Connecticut driver’s license or identification card to complete the application.What to do:
Complete the application at Permanent permit form. If your permit has an expiration date, you only need to complete “Part A” of the form. There is no fee for the replacement of the placard permit for a permanent disability. Temporary permits have a $5 replacement fee.
Who can park/use in handicap parking and how to use one
When you receive your handicap permit, the issuer is the only one who is legally allowed to use it. He/She can use it as either the driver or passenger of the vehicle, but make sure that you are present when the placard is displayed.
Can I share my placard with someone else?
No. Only the applicant can use your placard or License Plate.
It is illegal to do the following:
- Giving your placard to someone else
- Using someone else’s placard.
- Forging a medical professional’s signature.
- Possessing or displaying illegally obtained placards or license plates.
- Providing false information to get a placard or license plate.
- Altering a placard or placard identification card.
Misusing the placard in any manner could result in cancellation of the permit, fines and other penalties. Therefore, your placard is of no value if it is not displayed in a way that parking enforcement officials are unable to see the placard from a reasonable distance and read the pertinent information on it.
A placard left on a seat or tossed upside down on the dashboard are grounds for a ticket.Make sure that Handicap/Disabled parking placards are hung over rear-view mirrors or placed face-up on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel with the registration information and it’s expiration date clearly visible through the windshield.If the information is not visible to a passing parking enforcement official, there’s a high possibility that it can be legally assumed that the placard is invalid. Information on the placard must not only be visible, it must also be legible. If stains or tears on the placard compromise legibility, replace the placard immediately.
Conclusion
Disability placards or license plates have a lot of benefits. If you are eligible, applying for one offers you special perks in parking, subsidy in service stations, and more. You must meet the requirements of your respective state to obtain the DP license plate or placard. Your disability placard or license plate will be valid in all states. You may be required to apply for a travel placard if you visit any other place. You can apply for a Disability placard at your nearest AAA or DMV office.
You get a temporary placard if you have a temporary disability. You can obtain a permanent placard or license plate only if you have a permanent disability. Placards and license plates both have the same kind of benefits. Based on your use case, you may choose one of them.
Disabled Veterans will receive a special DV license plate. It offers the same privileges as the DP license plate while exempting the applicant from DMV fees.
There are also some limitations and restrictions that you have to follow. You must be mindful of paying the fees or not parking in certain parking places. Misusing your DP or DV placard or license plates is illegal and will cause serious repercussions.
