Disabled Person Parking Permit Application (83039)

Disabled parking spaces are designed to provide physically impaired people with the opportunity to access public or private facilities that they may not have access to otherwise. If you wish to take advantage of these parking spaces, you must display a valid placard on the rearview mirror of your vehicle. The placard can be transferred to any vehicle carrying a disabled person.

In order to qualify for a disability parking placard, a person must satisfy one of the following requirements.

• Be certified as legally blind;
• Be unable to walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, or other assistive device, or without assistance of another person. The person will not be eligible if the assistive device restores the person's ability to walk without severe limitation;
• Meet specific requirements for restrictions by lung disease as measured by spirometry;
• Use portable oxygen;
• Permanently use a wheelchair;
• Be restricted by a cardiac condition to the extent that functional limitations are classified as Class III or Class IV by standards set by the American Heart Association;
• Have severe limitations in the ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic conditions.

Depending on the nature of disability, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may issue temporary or permanent placards. Temporary placards are valid for up to six months. Permanent placards will expire in four years on the owner's birthday.

If you think that you qualify for the placard, you will have to follow the official application process. You must obtain form HSMV 83039, fill it in and have your physician certify it. You must also make a copy of your Florida drivers license or Florida identification card. Once you have the above documents, you may visit your local County Tax Collector's Office or License Plate Agency, pay the required fee and obtain your placard. Frequent travelers may request up to two additional placards.

Please note, if you have a parking placard, you must park in the spaces marked with a picture of a wheelchair whenever possible. If you cannot locate such spaces, you may park your vehicle in the regular parking spot. Be advised that if you are in possession of a valid placard, you do not have to pay any parking fees.

For more info about the parking permit program, please call the HSMV Customer Service Center at (850) 922-9000.