WHERE TO START?
Determine whether you qualify as a disabled individual. Texas requires the applicant to have a condition limiting their ability to see or walk/move around. While legal blindness is defined and more quickly diagnosed, mobility problems are more complex.
The nine main categories of mobility problems include:
- Paralysis
- Lung disease
- Require portable oxygen.
- Cardiac deficiency (Class III or Class IV)
- Wheelchair confinement
- Arthritis, neurological, or orthopedic conditions
- Foot disorders
- Medical conditions requiring a brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device.
- Trauma causing chronic pain or injury.
Before 2022, Disabled was more loosely defined for Veterans: however, now, to qualify to park in handicapped parking with a license plate or placard, the individual needs to demonstrate they are mobility impaired. Mobility impairment is any condition that makes it nearly impossible/challenging to walk 200 feet without a break or rest stop.
INTERNATIONAL SYMBOL OF ACCESS (ISA)
As of January 2022, Texas has changed its laws regarding handicapped license plates.
Before this date, the wheelchair symbol (ISA) was not featured on veteran license plates and instead stated “Disabled Veteran U.S. Armed Forces.” To legally park, veterans must (1) renew/replace their current license plates with ISA plates or (2) apply for a placard to park. As of 2022, disabled veteran license plates without an ISA must be replaced or display a placard with their old license plate. Regardless of the choice, a brand-new Texas handicap placard application is needed, along with a new signature from a doctor claiming disability. Having a Disabled Veteran license plate does not guarantee your ISA license plate.
APPLYING
There are three options for disabled veterans (1) get a disabled veteran license plate without the ISA and use a placard; (2) get a placard without any specialty license plate; (3) get a disabled license plate with the ISA symbol. There are two different applications for the varied choices. In all cases, a doctor or health care provider must complete the application or provide a prescription. On Handicappedparking.com, this has been made hassle-free, and we are happy to organize your application and help you make the best choice. If you are still deciding which option to choose, feel free to email support@handicappedparking.com; we are more than happy to provide more details.
TRAVELING
All states recognize DMV-issued accessible parking plates (with the ISA) or placards; however, each state has rules and regulations on where and how to park with a Texas handicapped placard or ISA plate. It is always best to contact the authorities or DMV in the specific state you intend to visit to understand the exceptions fully. These could include parking in “time-limited” parking spots for unlimited amounts of time, not paying metered parking spots, what to do if there are no accessible parking spots and if you can park in private lots.
