Maryland Motorists With Disabilities

Request an application for “Maryland Parking Placards/License Plates for Individuals with a Disability” - form number VR-210 - by calling the MVA at any of the numbers listed below, visiting your local MVA full-service and express office (for placards only) location, or downloading it from the MVA web site.

Call MVA’s Fax on Demand System at 410-424-3050 and request Catalogue #15 - Call MVA’s Customer Service Center at 410-768-7000

- Call MVA's Customer Service Center from out-of-state at 1-301-729-4550

- TTY for the hearing impaired at 1-800-492-4575

- Visit any MVA branch office (excluding Oakland)

Complete all applicable sections of the form. Be sure to identify whether you are applying for a placard by checking the appropriate box at the top. The individual with the disability must sign and date the application. If requesting a plate, complete Section D of the application. A disability plate may only be issued to vehicle(s) titled in the name of the individual with a disability or to a vehicle that has been leased to an individual with a disability.

Have your doctor complete the Disability Certification Information section of the application. This section does not have to be completed if you are self-certifying. A physician may fax the completed document directly to the Maryland MVA for a disability placard to be mailed or handed to a customer.

Mail the completed form along with the appropriate fees (do not mail cash) to the MVA, Disability Unit, Room 202, 6601 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, Maryland, 21062 or visit your local MVA office (except Oakland) to receive your placard in person. If you are requesting the placard to be mailed, your doctor’s office may fax your certified application to 410 787-7840. Please note that an MVA office will accept a fax of the certified doctor’s application if it is faxed directly to a Motor Vehicle Administration office but may not accept a photocopy or faxed copy of a certified application if faxed to the individual and not the MVA.

Police Busting Illegal Handicap Placards Users

Eyewitness News heard about Kevin through a Web site called handicappedfraud.org, where people anonymously report suspected violators.

The person who reported Kevin wrote to the Web site: "I heard from someone that his grandmother passed away and that he still receives the placards every two years and uses them. That is despicable."

"My grandma, she's alive and she's 95-years-old," said Clark.

Two of Kevin's co-workers moved the Escalade out of the handicap spot after he was confronted.

Anthony Hurtado also works in the building.

"Around the office we were asking ourselves why does this guy park in the handicap? He's obviously pretty mobile. He hops around, he's a pretty agile guy," said Hurtado.

Maureen Birdsall runs the Web site handicappedfraud.org. Her volunteers walk the streets looking for violators.

They take a picture of the car, write down the handicap placard number, photograph it and leave a note on the windshield.

"What does it say? It says you've been reported on handicappedfraud.org," said Maureen Birdsall. "At the end of every month, take all the placard numbers and print reports and send to DMV so they can investigate the placards, see if they've been stolen, see if being used by the proper people."

For Maureen, it's personal. One day she had to drop her grandfather off at the hospital. She was forced to park far away because all the handicap spaces were taken.

"I was stuck leaving my grandfather on the hospital stairs who was blind and had dementia. And had to say please wait for me, I got back, he was so confused and upset," said Birdsall.

More Californians than ever have disabled placards or plates. According to the DMV, 2.1 million people out of 23 million registered California drivers have them. That's one in every ten drivers.

UCLA's parking enforcement unit confiscates about three fraudulently used placards every week.

"I even found one lady using placard that belonged to her deceased mother. She claimed she inherited the placard from her mother," said Jim Steel, UCLA Parking Enforcement.

Last year alone, the California DMV cancelled more than 23,000 placards after determining the real placard holders had died.

Counterfeit or stolen placards have also been spotted for sale at flea markets and on eBay.

Sometimes it's a shady doctor selling access to the placards for profit.

"The word was out, go see this doctor for $20. I believe was the fee. He'll sign off whatever you need to get the placard," said Vito Scattaglia, DMV, Division of Investigations.

Undercover investigators with the DMV teamed up with the City of San Fernando Police Department for this one day sweep.

Martha Reyes is one of 14 people to be cited. It'll cost them a $335 parking ticket just from the city. And because the fraudulent use of a placard is a misdemeanor criminal offense, it also means a trip to court, an additional fine up to $1,000, community service working with the disabled, and sometimes one year of probation.

At first, Claudia Diaz claimed her disabled daughter was with her at the swap meet. She was just not in the car, but Diaz later admitted that her daughter was at school.

"My daughter is in school, my husband is going to come and pick her up," said Diaz.

Another man was using his disabled wife's placard. Again, she was not with him as the law requires.

"I don't consider myself a criminal just because I drove up here to run an errand for my wife," said the unidentified husband.

For DMV investigators, enforcing the law can be dangerous. One past arrest stands out for Vito Scattaglia.

"In attempting to subdue her, I got a nice bite on the arm and a couple other investigators got kicked in the chest," said Scattaglia.

One woman was hauled off to jail not only was she using someone else's placard, she had an outstanding warrant for DUI and was driving without a license.

"There are obviously just some selfish or lazy people who are just rolling the dice and hope not to get caught," said Sgt. Kevin Glasgow, SFPD.

People like Andrea Digiulio and her disabled mom, hope the cheaters get caught and pay.

Eyewitness News reporter Rob Hayes: "How does it make you feel when you see parking illegally in these spots?"

"Well, what happens is then we don't have a spot. Then I have to schlep all the way into the store with her," said Andrea Digiulio.

"It annoys me, I'd like to just punch them in the mouth," said Naomi Slavin, who is disabled.

One more issue: People with disabled placards do not have to feed the meter. So when someone misuses a placard that's money local cities do not collect.

For instance, some meters costs $2 an hour. If a cheater were to use a placard at that type of meter 5 days a week, 8 hours a day and let's just say 50 weeks a year - - that's $4,000 a year lost to the city and that's just one cheater.

Your Driver's Allow And License In Only A Step Away

In the state of Utah and, certainly all states in the United States, driving is considered a privilege. You have the correct to personal a automobile and travel, but solely with the accountability to not in peril other people. Much may be mentioned and debated on this subject however it can be crucial that earlier than in search of to acquire your driver's license you perceive driving, as defined by the state during which you reside, is a right.

For instance within the state of Utah all drivers regardless of the age could also be must obtain a learner's permit. This can be averted if the driver has been licensed by another state. There are specific necessities that you'll have to full before you'll be able to receive your driver's permit.

The greatest place to begin is getting the right driver's schooling handbook. When going through the handbook you prepare your self to get a full quantity of schooling attainable for driver's ed.

There is always a driver portion to driver's ed. Having your permit before this will assist you get by the education course in a quicker manner. Having your learners allow before you start will make it simpler to get by the course without any delays. There are few extra things to be aware of when you're ready to take your learner allow test.

It is a good idea to take a follow check before the true test. There is a apply test available at The Utah State Department of Public Safety.

You must have proof of Identification when getting your driving permit. Most people take of their Social Safety Card or Passport.

Once you have got the documentation filled out head down to the drivers license division. Most DMV's don't run efficiently so be partient. You can be taking your test on a computer, unless you want private assist as a consequence of being handicap. All the questions are within the driver's manual, make sure you study. After you will have your check finished, they are going to grade it on the spot. If you happen to move they'll take your image. Difficulty you your Learners Permit.

It is vital to find a good driver school. Have a look at how lengthy it is going to take, the price and how friendly they are. Check the different colleges evaluations online, make sure you aren't getting right into a shady one. It must be as painless as possible. In school you'll be taught so much, you will drive so much, and you will spend time observing different individuals drive as well. Make certain you concentrate in class because this may show what sort of driver you'll change into within the future. Just because you full the course doesn't mean that you're a pro. Once you might be achieved with drivers training. Your are older than 17 years of age. Now you can take your driver's license test. The Department of Public of Safety will solely check you on the required driving portion of the course. After you full your take a look at and course you'll be situation a temp license which is as good as your driver's license. Don't worry when you have a piece of paper for your driver's license, you'll obtain your laminated full color license in a couple of days.

How To Get A Handicap Parking Permit

A person is eligible to receive a disabled hang tag if he or she

- cannot walk 200 feet at length without stopping to rest; - uses portable oxygen; - cannot walk without the assistance of another person, walker, cane, crutches, braces, prosthetic device, or wheelchair. This includes individuals who are blind or are so visually impaired that they require the assistance of another person to walk; - is restricted by a lung disease to such an extent that his or her forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one half liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest; - has a cardiac condition to the extent that his or her functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association; or - has a diagnosed disease or disorder, including a severe arthritic, neurological or orthopedic impairment, that creates a severe mobility limitation.

How to obtain a hang tag

Applicants must provide a Medical Examiner’s Certification of Mobility Impairment form (DPSMV 1966). A faxed copy is acceptable if it is faxed from the doctor’s office. A medical examiner is defined as a person licensed to practice medicine or chiropractic by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, Louisiana State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Louisiana State State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, or an advanced practice registered nurse.

Applicants who cannot drop the form off at a Motor Vehicle Office must also submit a color photograph with the application materials.

Fee

There is a $3.00 fee for all placards, including permanent, temporary, renewal, lost, stolen, or damaged.

Validity/expiration of placards/permits

Permanent placards are valid for up to 4 years. Temporary placards are issued for up to 1 year.

Renewing placards

Permanent placards do not require recertification for renewal. Renewals for temporary placards require a currently dated medical examiner’s statement.

Lost placard/replacement

Eligible individuals can apply for a new placard, in the event the old one is lost, stolen, or damaged, by making an application stating the condition of the placard and paying a fee of $3.00 at the local DMV office. Those who are physically incapable of visiting the local DMV office can have a representative apply for them. It should be someone who can sufficiently answer questions related to the applicant’s impairment.

Where to hang the placard/permit

The placards are designed to be hung from the vehicle’s front windshield rear view mirror. When there is no rear view mirror, the hang tag may be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard.

DMV Cracks Down On Disabled Parking Placard Abuse

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) - It’s against the law, but there are hundreds of California drivers who abuse the placards for disabled parking.

Investigators with the California Department of Motor Vehicles carried out an enforcement operation Tuesday aimed at curbing Disabled Person Parking Placard (DPPP) abuse at six large businesses in the greater San Diego area.

Part education and part enforcement, the DMV sent teams out to three different parking lots around San Diego County to see who is complying with the law and who isn’t.

Of the 369 people investigators found displaying a DPPP, 16 of them were doing so fraudulently and were issued misdemeanor citations.

Offenders must appear in court to face possible fines that range from $250 to $1,000, depending on the jurisdiction. While the misdemeanor offense will appear on their driver record, no points will be assessed because it is not a moving violation.

“The DMV proactively carries out these types of enforcement operations throughout the year in an effort to reduce the impact that Disabled Placard fraud has on the mobility of those with disabilities,” said DMV Director Jean Shiomoto. “The DMV also uses these enforcement efforts to help raise general awareness and educate Californians about the need for compliance and the consequences that come with violating the law.” During the past three fiscal years (2013/14 - 2015/16), DMV investigators conducted 270 enforcement operations throughout the state and issued 2,019 citations.

The level of reported or observed misuse of DPPP varies from area to area. Most violations involve people using disabled parking placards issued to family or friends to avoid paying parking fees, as well as obtaining convenient and/or unrestricted parking.

California Vehicle Code Section 4461(b) (c) prohibits anyone from lending their placard, knowingly permitting the use of their placard or allowing anyone else to use it while they are not present. In addition, a person shall not display a disabled person placard that was not issued to him or her or that has been canceled or revoked.

“It is important to point out that some qualifying disabilities are not visually apparent and allegations of misuse may be unfounded,” explained DMV Investigations Chief Frank Alvarez. “The majority of Californians who apply for a DPPP have legitimate reasons for doing so.”

Anyone who thinks someone has been issued a Disabled Person Parking Placard in error or suspects placard misuse is urged to contact their local DMV Investigations office and submit a written complaint by filling out a Record of Complaint Form 172A. The complaint can be anonymous.

How To Report Disabled Parking Placard Fraud To The DMV

Q: Dan Ross of Redlands asked about what he says is frequent fraudulent use of the disabled parking placards at Victoria Gardens and Ontario Mills shopping centers, as well as in the Rancho Cucamonga area in general. “A law is only as good as its enforcement. It is never enforced. Those committing fraud know it. I would just love it if they could spare one person to spot check one day for ID with placards … Why have the law if they’re not going to enforce it?” Ross asked.

A: Well, there’s just no way that law enforcement can catch every offender, and statistics show there are plenty of people using these placards who shouldn’t be. Police do issue citations and the Department of Motor Vehicles especially is trying. The DMV conducts up to 24 enforcements statewide each month. Has busted plenty of people for fraudulent use of a disabled parking placard.

For example, during the yearlong period from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, DMV investigators conducted 217 enforcement operations and issued 1,987 misdemeanor citations, according to the DMV. During the previous fiscal year (2017-2018), the DMV said it conducted 256 enforcement operations and issued 2,485 citations; in the fiscal year before that, the DMV issued 1,625 citations during 165 enforcement operations.

Related links

When using a disabled placard, do I need to also have the DMV ID card? Do golf carts need a disabled parking placard? Leave van-accessible handicapped parking spots open for wheelchair users Driving with a handicapped placard still on the rearview mirror can be a problem

These citations are misdemeanors, not just a parking ticket, so offenders have to go to court and if convicted, the offense goes on their driving record. Fines range from $250 up to $1,000 depending on jurisdiction.

The DMV has also been working with some Inland Empire cities to carry out enforcement actions at festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach and the Los Angeles County Fair. And as we’ve written before, local police issue citations when they can, and if reported by citizens. The DMV wants to know where there’s a lot of placard fraud. Encourages people to contact their local DMV office so they can consider an enforcement action in that area. Our reader could certainly report his concerns. People also can report suspected abuse on the DMV website, dmv.ca.gov.

The DMV has been raising awareness about disabled parking placard abuse for several years now by issuing news releases about their regular enforcement actions and is asking for the public’s help to spread the word and report known offenders.

California law says a disabled person parking placard can only be used by the person to whom it’s been issued. Police and DMV investigators can verify that a disabled parking placard is being appropriately used by its rightful owner by comparing the placard assignment number with an accompanying registration card and the placard owner’s personal identification. It’s illegal for family members or friends to use someone’s placard unless they are driving the disabled person and remain in the immediate area as the parking placard holder. We should also remind folks that not all disabilities are visible or outwardly apparent to others.

Q: Chris Born lives in the Mentone area near Redlands East Valley High School. King Street/Agate Avenue, which runs north/south near the high school is a “race track,” says Born. “In the middle of the night cars race down this street setting off car alarms nearly every night of the week. The two biggest issues are a lack of stop sign on the corner of Agate Avenue and Nice Avenue, in addition to the speed at which people fly up a road that is posted as 25 mph.” He asked who to contact to ask for a stop sign at Nice and Agate or some speed bumps on Agate to put an end to the nighttime racing and daytime speeding that makes the area so dangerous.

A: The area immediately around Redlands East Valley High School, east of Wabash, is in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s jurisdiction for enforcement purposes but the roads are maintained by the San Bernardino County Public Works Department.