Navigating Arizona Handicap Placard Regulations

Who Can Obtain A Handicap Placard In Arizona?

According to Arizona state law, only individuals with a permanent or temporary impairment that severely and negatively affects their mobility may be eligible for disability (handicap) plates or placards. Also, applicants must also submit documentation from their physicians to verify their eligibility. More specifically, the state of Arizona requires information from a licensed physician that attests to the fact that the applicant has a condition or disability that is physically debilitating enough to last for a minimum of 12 months.
Specific medical conditions that are generally considered as eligible for handicap plates or placards in Arizona may include , but are not limited to: loss of limb; cardiac deficiency of the heart; neurological or neurological conditions; a permanent inability to walk ten feet without having to rest; arthritis; and diseases or conditions that are similar or equivalent to those mentioned above. In general, any condition (whether physical, sensory, or otherwise) that severely limits one’s ability to ambulate would qualify for a handicap plate or placard.

Applying For A Handicap Placard

In Arizona, both permanent and temporary handicap parking permits (also referred to as "handicap placards") are available from the Arizona Department of Transportation. Additionally, municipalities may provide their own permits at the local level. Even when the state issues a placard, however, municipalities have the authority to regulate parking at the local level.
Because placards are available in two forms — temporary and permanent — it’s important for applicants to understand the duration for which a permit is issued. As of writing, a permanent placard has no expiration date, but it should still be renewed every five years. Temporary placards have a maximum duration of six months and must be renewed upon expiration.
Anyone who receives a permanent permit can reapply once every five years; however, you can obtain a temporary permit if you do not already have a permit and you suffer a medical condition that only warrants a temporary permit or you are a guest of someone who has a permit but do not have a permit of your own.
Arizona does not require an online application for permits at this time. Instead, applicants must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person to apply for a permit. There are a variety of applications available at these offices and an applicant must fill out the appropriate documentation. For those who have mobility issues, an application may be filled out by a family member or representative. Both permanent and temporary permits require a separate application.
Each application requires a physician’s signature that certifies the applicant has a condition such as a disability or illness that limits mobility. In terms of the specific paperwork, there are three applications available in Arizona. First is the application for a permanent permit, form 96-0103. To get a temporary permit, there are two forms that can be filled out: Each application includes instructions on the back of the form.
Notably, a permit is forbidden from being displayed on a rearview mirror or on the dashboard. The permit must instead be hung on the rearview mirror with the printed side facing out. As of writing, the replacement fee for lost permits is $10 and for stolen permits is $5. Upon a permit being expired or permanently revoked, the permit must be returned.

Renewing An Arizona Handicap Placard

A handicap placard in Arizona is generally valid for five years as long as it has not been canceled, suspended or revoked. Some permit holders may receive a new placard via mail or store-purchase prior to expiration.
People with temporary disabilities may obtain a temporary permit for $12 plus processing fees, valid for six months. Temporary permits cannot be renewed. If someone’s disability extends beyond six months, a physician must complete a Medical Eligibility Statement for a new parking permit.
Permits expire and must be renewed, at the same rate, every five years. In some cases, however, a plate holder receives a new plate at no charge in the mail, replacing the expired one.
Most uses for permits are not subject to additional requirements. However, existing state law prohibits certain people from receiving permits:
Permit holders in these categories must meet lower expectations for parking – for example, the elderly cannot be expected to re-enter the building after leaving once they have emptied their hands of packages or purchased items.
Locals use the DMV for full-time placard support. Specific medical practitioners complete forms for Arizona residents, but most other tasks happen online or through mail exchanges.
The state asks you to fill out a form for an initial placard. It includes information like your full name, age, address and physical conditions. A physician must confirm the medical issue that limits mobility, and temporary permit holders must also provide copies of bills or receipts proving they require the permit at least 90 days before it expires.
Renewing a permit is a bit simpler, generally taking less than ten minutes online. It costs $12. The renewal form requires the same information from the individual applying for the permit, plus the date of their most recent permit(s).
Renewal forms go through DMV rather than medical departments, and Arizona will not request verification from your physician, although it may in other states. You can submit the form in hard copy, fax or email format. You do not need to visit the office for renewal.
Penalty fees of $250 to $5,000 can be reasonable for abuse of Arizona handicap permits. MVC issues surcharges when there is misuse of these placards (when someone uses another driver’s placard). Driver license surcharges temporarily suspend permits.
Arizona penalizes other violations of Arizona handicapped parking law amid heightened activity from police (more citations per year translate into a greater deterrent). The state penalizes vehicle owners who allow others to use their placards illegally.

Acceptable Uses Of A Handicap Placard

Arizona law has very strict rules and regulations regarding the permissible use of a handicap placard. The rules are very specific about what they allow and the responsible party that must comply with the rules so everyone can enjoy the advantages of the privilege.

The person or agency that qualifies for the placard must sign the placard application.
The placard must be displayed by hanging it from the rear view mirror or, if there isn’t one, in a manner that it is not visible to the driver.
The placard can only be used when the disabled persons reserves the parking space or when they are being transported .
The placard holder must issue his or her name on the placard application. A third party purchaser is required to provide the Department with a Statement of Responsibility for the placard for someone other than a disabled person. The responsible party must then file an affidavit with the Department or local law enforcement attesting that the placard is used only when transporting the disabled person.
The government does not require the holder to have the placard on their own car.
The placard is valid for up to a maximum of 96 months.
The placard may be renewed as necessary.

Penalties For Abuse Of A Handicap Placard

Mistakes happen, and there are times when you may find yourself using your placard incorrectly. Let’s take a look at potential penalties.
If an enforcement official suspects a handicap parking placard is being used fraudulently, the individual will first be informed of this, and asked to stop use. This threat alone often serves as good reason to stop the abuse. Should the abuse not be stopped, possible fines for illegal use of a handicap placard range from $250 to $1,000; the individual could even face jail time of 90 days or more. If the legal owner is not the one using the placard illegally (perhaps they had not allowed the person to use it), they may prove their bad faith by filling out an affidavit with their signature and current contact information. If an officer believes that a person is misusing a placard but they are in fact related to the owner, evidence of a relationship must be shown to have been properly documented at the time the placard was originally approved.

Commonly Asked Questions

Do my placard or my license plate expire or do they need to be renewed?
Both the placard and license plate are a permanent placard license plate. A card-style placard has an expiration date on it. The maximum time a placard can be issued for is five years. You should verify the expiration date to see if it will be expiring soon so that you can promptly renew it. Be mindful that during busy times, such as summer vacation or holiday weekends, as well as around the holidays, there may be extended waiting times when renewing and you will want to make sure that you are not stuck without a placard during busy times, when the police may not be understanding that your placard is expired.
What do I do if my placard is lost or stolen?
If your placard is lost or stolen, secured or replace an expired or expiring placard you will need Form 96-10 and you must bring your completed form to any State of Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) District Office. You can order a new tag through either the ADOT local office in Phoenix, Tucson or Yuma, or at one of the DMV offices. Replacement of a lost or stolen placard does not cost the applicant any charge.
Can I get temporary disabled parking privileges?
Arizona deserves a disabled parking privileges or issuance of a temporary placard, for those patients or persons who may have a temporary condition or requirement for temporarily parking in a disabled area. For example, they may have a short-term condition following the surgical repair of a broken leg . Arizona requires a handicapped / disabled parking form – Subject 13 "Application for Medical Certification to Park in Handicap Parking Spaces" by a qualified licensed AZ physician, osteopath, chiropractor, podiatrist, or certified nurse practitioner who can document a temporary condition or disability.
Can people loan their caregiver the placard?
No. Only the person to which it belongs may use the placard, to park in disabled parking spaces. The placard cannot be loaned or used in any circumstance that allows someone else other than the person to which it belongs to occupy their usual and reserved parking space. They can however, allow someone to drop them off at the door to an establishment, for example, in order to help them navigate to the entrance.
What if I have lost my vehicle, or had it repossessed, but I still need the placard?
If you have lost your vehicle or have it repossessed, you may keep the placard and change the number of your current vehicle, as well as obtain the same license plate and new vehicle. To do so, go to ADOT local offices in Phoenix, Tucson or Yuma, or at one of the DMV offices – you must pay $5.00 for the reissue. Do not leave the placard with your vehicle.
Can I get a second placard for my spouse if my placard has a different placard number?
No. Form 96-10 is only for one placard or license plate and not for any others. You will need to complete a separate 96-10 for each placard.