How Much Is A Parking-In Handicap Ticket

by Jim on October 25, 2022

People with disabilities that limit or impair their movement need facilities that are not available in conventional parking spaces. For example, a handicap space adjacent to a car parking space allows extra room for people using wheelchairs or other assistive equipment to exit and enter their vehicles.

A handicap parking ticket is issued to you when you park your car in the reserved handicapped spot.

The price of handicap parking tickets

The majority of states consider handicapped parking infractions to be among the most serious and impose heavy penalties. In addition to whatever license points you might incur from your traffic ticket, the normal range for handicap parking tickets issued after a disabled parking violation is $250 to $450. This fine does not affect auto insurance rates, but if left unpaid for a long time, the penalties can add up unusually.

How is the provision of designated parking spaces made?

Handicap spaces must meet requirements established by the state laws and disability act. Well-planned handicap parking spaces have the following characteristics:

They are located on the most accessible route of travel to an accessible facility entrance.
They have solid, level, or sloped access to the walkway.
They Need a signpost or handicap placard at the head of the space showing the international symbol of accessibility in white on a blue background. The handicap placard is placed at the height of at least five ft. in full view of the driver.

Drivers that commit a parking violation are issued a handicapped parking ticket.

How many accessible parking spaces are needed in a parking lot?

In non-medical constructions and parking lots, parking spaces should be made available correspondingly to handicap-accessible spaces at a rate of 25 to 1, i.e., for every 25 parking spaces, there should be at least one disabled space.

One of every six handicapped spots should be designated with a "Van Accessible" sign and have an access walkway with a minimum width of 8 feet (96 inches). If only one handicap space is required, it must be van accessible.

How to Obtain a Disabled Parking Permit?

Eligibility Standards

Disabled persons may receive a disabled parking privilege if they have a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk or involves acute sensitivity to light that is verified by a medical professional.

The specifics for these are stated on the disabled parking application for individuals. You can obtain this from a licensing office.

The Application Process for a Parking Permit

The applicant and the certifying medical professional must complete and sign the application form. The applicant can submit the form by mail or deliver it to a vehicle licensing office.

A receipt and handicap placard, plates, or tabs will be sent through the mail as soon as the application processing is completed. You should receive the identification card within 2-4 weeks.

The medical professional certifying either a temporary or permanent parking privilege must certify that the applicants meet at least one of the conditions stated on the state’s disabled parking application for individuals.

The certification requires the medical professional’s license number. Providing fake information on the application is a gross misdemeanor with a penalty of up to one year in jail or paying a $5,000 fine.

Types of Disabled Parking Permits

Permanent Disability

Individuals may choose one of these options:

A maximum of two blue placards is permitted for any car when transporting the individual with the privilege. You should renew this every five years.
One set of disabled parking license plates should be issued to the qualified individual, who must be one of the registered owners of the vehicle. The renewal should be done yearly.
One set of disabled parking license plates and one placard. Plates must be renewed every year.
One special disabled parking year tab and one blue handicap placard. The tab must be renewed yearly. Privileges must be renewed every five years.

Temporary Disability

Individuals receive one red parking placard.
Parking privilege is valid for up to 6 months from the date issued and is non-renewable.
Individuals in need of privileges beyond six months must re-apply.

Organizational Vehicles

If an organization has vehicles that transport any person with a disability, such organizations are allowed to complete an application to receive parking privileges.

The organization will receive either:

Up to 99 placards, hanging from the rear-view mirror that can be used by any vehicle providing regular transportation for a disabled person or
Disabled parking license plates issued to vehicles registered to the organization that regularly transport a disabled person.

Expected Responsibilities

When exercising their parking privilege, individuals must carry and make their means of identity available upon request by a traffic attorney or parking enforcement officials. Failure to comply may result in a citation.

Use of windshield placard
When parked in an accessible parking space:
- Hang the placard around the rear-view mirror post. If there is no mirror or no post, place the placard on the dashboard.
- Make sure the placard is fully visible.
Before moving the vehicle, remove the placard from the mirror to eliminate potential blind spots.

Parking Violations

Contact your local police to report individuals abusing accessible parking privileges or parking illegally in an accessible parking space.

Where to Park and Free Parking

Persons with a disabled parking privilege are allowed to park for unlimited periods in regular on-street parking spaces, at parking meters, or in spaces made for persons with movement impairments.

A local authority may place time restrictions of not less than 4 hours on the use of standard parking meters or on-street parking spots marked for persons with disabilities. Parking is not allowed in areas where stopping, parking or standing of all cars is inhibited or reserved for special types of cars (fire lanes, loading zones, bus lanes). Off-street parking facilities that charge for parking may charge the same fee to vehicles that own disabled parking permits.

Penalty for unauthorized use of a handicapped space.

It is a traffic violation with a penalty of $450 for an authorized person to:

Use the placard, identifying license plates, or identification card.
Obtain a unique license plate, placard, or identification card in any manner not established by law.

It is parking misconduct with penalties of $450 for a person to:

Make use of the handicap spot when the vehicle is not transporting the person to whom the privilege is granted.
Make use of the handicap spot without an identifying license plate or placard.
Block the access walkways or ramps located next to a handicap spot reserved for persons with disabilities, such as people using wheelchairs.

The judge in court may impose an additional penalty which is sufficient cash or checks reimbursements to the local jurisdictions for any costs incurred in the removal and storage of the improperly parked vehicle. In addition, points may be deducted from the violator’s driver’s license by a traffic school or face community service

What to do about a parking-in handicap permit during traveling?

Since the plate is permanently attached to the car and is part of the registration, it is frequently acceptable to traverse state lines with an accessibility license plate.

Although most states recognize accessible placards for cross-state or city travel, some require an extra traveler’s pass. It is essential to confirm with the intended location’s department. The internal symbol of access, a picture of a person in a wheelchair, must be at least three inches tall and appear on accessible placards. The logo ought to be blue with a white backdrop (unless temporary or otherwise designated)

If traveling outside of the United States, the placard must have an identification number, an expiration date, and a seal or identification mark from an issuing authority.

Each country has its requirements for the disabled spot. It is advisable to conduct in-depth research on the country and any particular rules that may apply to the disabled person to avoid being wrongly issued a traffic ticket. Additionally, it’s critical to confirm all requirements for international driving permits and have proof that you are familiar with all applicable driving laws with the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

How do I remedy a handicapped parking ticket case?

Drivers may encounter handicapped parking tickets that were wrongfully issued to them. In this situation, the driver has the right to contest the state court or judge based on specific points or conditions which make him qualify. These are discussed in detail below :

Drivers with a valid disabled parking permit

Drivers with a valid disabled parking permit can contest a handicap parking ticket by filing the affidavit of compliance provided with citations.

Drivers who do not have a valid disabled parking permit

For drivers who do not have a disabled parking permit, there are two options to contest their case:

By entering a plea of not guilty: The driver’s appeal of not being guilty must be in writing. This must include the correct mailing address for court data notification.

If the driver enters a plea of guilty or no contest, the next course of action is that they must pay the fines.