yildy

Friends, I will be traveling to Orlando and I have severe knee pains, which makes me unable to walk a lot or stand for a few minutes. I see that such people use stickers hanging on their windshield. How can a non-US resident person obtain that once he enters US airport.....thanks

SusieQQ

They are issued by indiviual states, so I think you need to get one prior to arrival in your home country. To get one in Florida you need to have a Florida drivers license.

yildy

Susie, thanks! sent you an email. How about if one enters Florida witch an international driving license?

RedRock

In order to obtain a Handicapped Parking Permit you need to see a Dr and have them certify that you in fact need one, either a temp or permanent one. It is a timely process. The below site gives the requirements for all the states.

http://arthritis.about.com/od/drivin...capparking.htm

yildy

Dear RedRock - thanks a lot and this should answe my questions....thanks again.

kelliebellie

To get one here in the United States, you have to get a doctor to write one for you and then go to the motor vehicles department and get one of the hanging ones.

Do you have anything similar where you live? I think the best thing to do would be to get a handicap permit in the country where you live and it will honored over here.

The handicap permit is recognized worldwide. We had one of those hanging permits issued in the United States for my husband's broken foot that we used in France.

I really doubt you can get one here as a visitor.

Cicerone

If you live in an EU country, and already have a “blue badge” which allows you to park, you may be able to use that in the US for handicapped parking privileges as well. It is up to each US state to determine whether or not they would accept the blue badge (or its equivalent).

Otherwise, you may be able to apply for a handicapped parking permit as a tourist. Here is a link to a very helpful list put together by the US Embassy in Australia which lists each US state’s requirements for obtaining a permit. http://canberra.usembassy.gov/irc/fa.../misc.html#dpp, the requirements for Florida are at http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/disabled_pkg.html, you can also call the Customer Service Center at (850) 617-2000. From my quick viewing of the requirements, it appears you have to have a Florida driver’s license to qualify, in addition to the p[physician’s note. The driver’s license will be the larger obstacle for you I think.

However, to the best of my knowledge, each US states allows residents of other states with valid permits/plates to use handicapped parking when in that state as a visitor. Therefore, I don’t know why a foreign visitor with a valid permit issued by a government could also not do this on a temporary basis; so that is why you may need to call, as the website does not really give details with regard to visitors that I could see.

gail

I fill out these state forms (Massachusetts - but all US states have similar forms) for my patients with disabilities all the time. Then they need an MD signature and are sent to the Motor Vehicle Department. It takes weeks to get it back. There is no requirement that a person own a car or have a driver's license. However, at least in Massachusetts, there is a requirement that one be a resident of this state. In addition, one must have an official photo from RMV that is imbedded in the permit.

In the US, there is reciprocity among states - you can have a permit from MA and park in FL designated space. Is there not some similar removable decal/placard you can get from your own country that you can bring with you? Although one could not expect local law enforcement to recognize placards from every country, if it is identifiable with one of the universal symbols for disability (usually a stick figure of a person in a wheelchair) then my GUESS is that it would be acceptable.

It might be worth a call to either local Orlando police or whatever Florida calls their Motor Vehicle department.

In many states there has been such fraud involved with people getting these placards that states have become stricter with their issuance - and they can not be used unless the person designated on the placard is actually in the car.

RedRock

I don't know if the state of Florida has changed their procedure or not. A few years ago a friend of mine got a HC permit. Their Dr filled out their portion of the request form and gave it to them. They hand carried it to a local Florida DMV office and the blue HC car permit was given to them on the spot.

mary1007

I found the information below on this website, you can see any other info you might need here:


http://www.orlandoinfo.com/articles/...sabilities.cfm

"Transportation & Parking

Whether you are driving your own car to Orlando or renting one upon arrival, be sure to bring your out-of-state or foreign disabled parking permit. Prominently display it in the windshield of your car when you are parked in designated public handicapped parking spots. Temporary permits are not available."

nytraveler

I would contact the police in Orlando and ask them if a card from your home country would be sufficient.

It's really important to get this sorted out in advance - since so many people have been abusing them that a lot of states are cracking down. Here in New York if you're caught parked in a handiap spot without the correct tag the fine starts at $250.

FainaAgain

Google Florida DMV department and check their "out-of-state" rules. When I had the red temporary placard going on vacation to another state, I was able to use my California placard.

Contrary to the popular belief you DO NOT need a driver's license. You must have a photo ID and a disability permit in your name. That's all. Anybody can display the placard in their own or a rented car. The only requirement - you must be using that car.

If the state of Florida does not allow out-of-state placards, you will apply and immediately get some confirmation paperwork that you have applied. This will be enough for you to use disabled parking spaces.

Always have a back-up plan what to do if all blue spaces are taken. Can somebody drop you off at the entrance and park the car?

Orlando_Vic

Here are the Florida requirements <http://www.seminoletax.org/tags/parking.shtml>. It does appear that a Florida driver's license or Florida identification card issued by the Driver's License Bureau is required.

Here is the form for the Florida plackard <http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/forms/BTR/83039.pdf>.

I suspect that a non-US plackard would also be honored, but that is just my opinion. Good luck, and enjoy your trip to Orlando!

RedRock

Yes, your Florida DL # or FL ID card # will appear on the yellow sticker that goes on both sides of the HC parking permit. That way no one else can use it. In addition you are given a registration certificate similar to a vehicle reg to go carry with you.