Warning: Out-of-state parking placards at DLR

[SMD]

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-disabled-placard-fraud-20170414-htmlstory.html

Unfortunately the print article has a little bit more details about this. You'll see that on one of the photos, it says that a family is being cited for parking in a designated disabled spot with an out-of-state placard. What's in the print edition is the explanation that you need to apply for a travel permit. According to the DMV form (Reg 195, couldn't link to a PDF) it's free and good for up to 90 days.

 

[Kaytie]

While they're probably not stalking private parking structure like the DLR garage, I'm surprised to learn California don't want offer automatic reciprocity.

 

[SMD]

The Glendale Galleria is also a private structure, and it's not the Anaheim PD but the DMV that did this, they can go anywhere. And, if anyone is planning to use their placard at meters or to stop at a grocery store, they could get cited there as well.

 

[lanejudy]

It's probably important to point out there is a difference between "plates" and "placards." If the vehicle is registered with disabled license plates, that should be fine across state borders. Placards are often temporary in nature (time limits vary by state, and some states will issue permanent placards) but most importantly placards may not be recognized by other states.

Apparently California does recognize placards for non-residents with an out-of-state placard. Visitors to CA may apply for a "travel placard" valid for up to 90 days. http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/disabled-drivers.php

Florida apparently does recognize placards from other U.S. states, but not from a foreign country. Temporary placards are available for international visitors. http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/disabled-drivers.php

It's probably also worth noting that different states allow different uses -- some may waive the fee for metered parking but not all do.

 

[SMD]

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr07

According to the DMV they don't honor out of state plates either. It says both plates and placards require a temporary permit.

 

[Mrsjvb]

While they're probably not stalking private parking structure like the DLR garage, I'm surprised to learn California don't want offer automatic reciprocity.

asa former resident of CA, I am not surprised at all.

 

[SueM in MN]

One of the comments to the article said that in another place it clarified that the family in the picture was California residents who were using a handicapped parking permit from another state. Once you move, a handicapped permit has to be obtained in new home state within a certain time period.
I am not sure whether or not that information is accurate.

DMV.ORG has good information about travel to other states with a handicapped parking permits. Although they state that, in general, all states recognize the parking permits from other states, they recommend contacting the state your permit was issued in AND the state you are traveling to for clarification.
Some things I know can be issues include:

- some states/areas allow parking in metered spots without paying for people with in state disabled parking permits, but don't for out of state (one of the reasons you could get a ticket)
- some states/areas allow parking only in blue painted spots or signed spots. Other states have various other places where parking with handicapped permit is allowed, such as yellow painted and might only allow that for in state permit holders. (another reason you could get a ticket)
- some states/areas waive time limits on parking for handicapped parking permit holders (but may not waive it for out of state).
- some areas with much more demand for parking than parking spaces require special permits. I think that is the issue in California.

I do know for certain that parking in Florida with either out of state handicapped parking plates or hangtag is not an issue with parking in signed or blue paint marked handicapped spots. Out of country people do need to get a permit.

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/disabled-drivers.php

 

[stitchlovestink]

- some states allow parking in metered spots without paying for people with in state disabled parking permits, but don't for out of state (one of the reasons you could get a ticket)
- some states allow parking only in blue painted spots or signed spots. Other states have various other places where parking with handicapped permit is allowed, such as yellow painted and might only allow that for in state permit holders. (another reason you could get a ticket)
- some states waive time limits on parking for handicapped parking permit holders (but may not waive it for out of state).
- some areas with much more demand for parking than parking spaces require special permits. I think that is the issue in California.

I do know for certain that parking in Florida with either out of state handicapped parking plates or hangtag is not an issue. Out of country people do need to get a permit.

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/disabled-drivers.php

And in the state of Florida it varies by county whether or not you have to feed the meter with HC tags/placard.
Where my inlaws live on the Gulf Coast, everyone must feed parking meters. Where our house is on the Space Coast, you do not have to feed the meter with a HC tag/placard.

Here in MD all the counties we know of do not require a HC tag/placard to feed meters, yet in Baltimore city EVERYONE including the HC must pay.

My suggestion... when in doubt, ask! Ask the local police dept.

 

[SMD]

Someone in the comments also cites FHWA on reciprocity. But they cited a policy guide and not a federal law. It's more likely that parking enforcement will notice an out of state plate at a parking meter than in a lot, but both require a travel placard. DMV.org is not the DMV, DMV.ca.gov is the actual CA DMV. Travel permits are free, it's at your own risk if you choose to visit CA and not follow the law here.

 

[SueM in MN]

Someone in the comments also cites FHWA on reciprocity. But they cited a policy guide and not a federal law. It's more likely that parking enforcement will notice an out of state plate at a parking meter than in a lot, but both require a travel placard. DMV.org is not the DMV, DMV.ca.gov is the actual CA DMV. Travel permits are free, it's at your own risk if you choose to visit CA and not follow the law here.

DMV.ORG is not the DMV, but does have links to individual state DMV sites.

As I mentioned, DMV.ORG recommends contacting the state your permit was issued in and the state you are traveling to.
Some people assume that because their home state (or area) allows them to park without feeding meters or some of the other differences I mentioned, every state will. That's the kind of thing that can result in a ticket.
I edited my original post about Florida to reflect that I meant parking in a marked handicapped parking spot only.

 

[Nevada Jen]

None of these things cited say you need a permit to use an or of state tag if you are traveling. You can get travel tag of you have disabled plates on your car. I take that to mean if you don't have a Hang tag you can use in rental car.

 

[lanejudy]

None of these things cited say you need a permit to use an or of state tag if you are traveling. You can get travel tag of you have disabled plates on your car. I take that to mean if you don't have a Hang tag you can use in rental car.

I don't live in CA and might be interpreting this incorrectly, but it's this phrase that certainly sounds as though CA requires a travel placard from non-residents (italics is mine):

Travel Placards
You can apply for a travel placard IF:

• You have a permanent disability.
  AND
• You are traveling outside of your home state.

A travel placard is valid for:

• Up to 30 days, if you are a CA resident traveling outside of the state.
  OR
• Up to 90 days, if you are visiting CA from another state.

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/disabled-drivers.php

It doesn't mention anything about a rental vehicle.

And here is a link to the official CA DMV: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?...tent_en/dmv/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr07#

Types of DP Parking Placards

• Permanent parking placard for permanent disabilities. Valid for two years and expires on June 30 of every odd-numbered year.
• Temporary parking placard for temporary disabilities. Valid for up to 180 days (six months) or the date noted by your qualifying licensed medical professional on the application, whichever timeframe is less and cannot be renewed more than six times consecutively.
• Travel parking placard for California residents who currently have a permanent DP parking placard or DP or DV license plates. Valid for 30 days from the date DMV issues it.
• Travel parking placard for nonresidents who plan to travel in California and have a permanent disability and/or DV plates. Valid for up to 90 days or the date noted by your licensed medical professional on the application, whichever timeframe is less.

As SueM stated upthread, it's a good idea to confirm directly with your own state as well as the state(s) to which you plan to travel.

 

[SueM in MN]

This part is not clear whether it applies to out of state people with hangtags.
Reading it the way it is written it appears to apply to 2 groups of non-residents:
1) have a permanent disability and DO NOT have any kind of handicapped plates or permit

2) have a permanent disability and have DV (disabled veterans) plates.
Those plates are not the same and do not have the same requirements as regular disabled plates.

• Travel parking placard for nonresidentswho plan to travel in California and have a permanent disability and/or DV plates. Valid for up to 90 days or the date noted by your licensed medical professional on the application, whichever timeframe is less.

 

[BethCPTSD]

I just sent in (for the like the fourth time, after getting the runaround from the DMV) today for my permanent disabled parking placard from CA. The thing is I live in two states. My permanent residency is where my home with my husband is in CA, but I live in MD for medical care too. We have apartments in both places. I've never changed my residency despite being here awhile because I consider my CA address my permanent address. Do you think I'm going to run into trouble? This has been so confusing and the DMV has not handled the confusion well. (I think that part is finally taken care of though.) Can I be ticketed for having a CA permanent parking placard on the east coast since I'm staying here a long time? Aah! Now I'm worried!

 

[BethCPTSD]

And I'm unclear -- do I need a travel placard to use my placard in FL?

 

[mamabunny]

And I'm unclear -- do I need a travel placard to use my placard in FL?

No. Florida has reciprocity with all states - just use your regular, state-issued hangtag/placard (and/or handicap plates)

 

[SueM in MN]

No. Florida has reciprocity with all states - just use your regular, state-issued hangtag/placard (and/or handicap plates)

agree
We've been doing it for 20 + years and not had any issues parking in the marked handicapped spots.
At the parks, Disney Springs or resorts, the CM is seeing our disabled parking hangtag and directing us where to park. If they had issues with it, they would not direct us to park there.

 

[Nevada Jen]

So this was really bugging me. We go to CA a lot and really need to use disabled spots. SO I looked up the actual law. V C 22511.5 (3)(b) clearly states that you can use a placard from other states. Here is link. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml You CAN get a temp permit, but you do not need to. From researching a bit, it appears that there are a number of enforcement agencies (including folks at DMV) who do not understand the law. THis also complies with federal law.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I just sent in (for the like the fourth time, after getting the runaround from the DMV) today for my permanent disabled parking placard from CA. The thing is I live in two states. My permanent residency is where my home with my husband is in CA, but I live in MD for medical care too. We have apartments in both places. I've never changed my residency despite being here awhile because I consider my CA address my permanent address. Do you think I'm going to run into trouble? This has been so confusing and the DMV has not handled the confusion well. (I think that part is finally taken care of though.) Can I be ticketed for having a CA permanent parking placard on the east coast since I'm staying here a long time? Aah! Now I'm worried!

No need to worry about MD. You can use you CA placard here without issue. I see by your post you're in MD for medical care. Just keep in mind that if parking in Baltimore city, you must still "feed the meter" even if in a HC spot. If there is a time limit, you get double in a HC spot or even in a regular spot as long as you have displayed your placard. So say the sign says a 2 hr limit, with your HC placard, you'd get 4. You still have to pay for 4, but you wouldn't get a ticket for staying longer than allowed.
In many COUNTIES in MD (all the ones I know of and just an FYI, Baltimore city is not in any county) you can park for free in government owned lots by displaying your placard, whether it's a HC spot or not. Parking garages can be different because they aren't usually government owned. Again you can stay double the permitted time and it doesn't have to be a HC spot for this to apply, but your placard MUST be on display.
In MD they can ticket you for driving with your HC placard hanging from your rear view mirror. I hope this was of some help. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[arminnie]

My disability placard is from Louisiana. It states that it is temporary even though all of my doctors acknowledge that there is no way for me to improve, but the state makes it onerous for them to state permanent. I'm okay with filling out the forms every year. (Yes LA is weird too)

But as I have a big trip to California for my college reunion I will do the paperwork to get a CA temporary placard. CA prides itself on being weird and unusual so I will comply. I was born in CA, went to school there and spent most of my career there - but yes CA is off the beaten track in terms of logical normality.

Sometimes one has to do crazy stuff to keep up with the crazy California crud.