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Skip the wait at the doctor’s office and schedule your DMV disability parking permit evaluation from the comfort and convenience of your home.
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Connect with the right doctor in minutes and easily chat with your provider on a smartphone, computer, or tablet via phone call or video.
Get Approved And Receive Your Certified Application Form
Once your evaluation is complete and approved, you'll receive Rhode Island's Disability Parking Placard Application with the medical certification section signed by our licensed doctors.
Disability Parking in Rhode Island:
Everything You Need to Know
Rhode Island Disability Parking Laws
- Qualifying conditions include inability to walk without assistive devices, severe lung disease, uses portable oxygen, Class III or IV cardiac condition, or legal blindness.
- A licensed physician with RI medical license must certify your condition on the Disability Parking Placard Application. Application must be submitted within 30 days of physician's certification.
- Permanent disability placards (blue) are valid for 6 years.
- Long-term disability placards (blue) are valid for 1-3 years.
- Temporary disability placards (red) are valid for 2-12 months.
- Knowingly making false statements to obtain a placard is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail.
- Illegally parking in handicapped spaces: first offense $100, higher penalties for repeat violations.
- Unauthorized use of placard: $500 fine and immediate revocation of placard.
- Using expired placard: $500 fine and possible revocation.
- The placard must be hung from the rearview mirror when parked, visible from front and rear windshield, and removed when driving.
- Each individual is issued one placard.
Documents You’ll Need
To apply for, replace, or renew a Rhode Island disability parking placard, the required documents vary slightly depending on your situation. Here's a breakdown:
New Permanent, Long-Term, or Temporary Placard
To apply for a new disability parking placard in Rhode Island, you'll need:
- Disability Parking Placard Application, completed and signed by applicant and physician with RI medical license (must be submitted within 30 days of physician's certification)
- RI driver's license or RI state ID
Veteran Exemption
Veterans with 100% service-related disability may qualify for a disability placard without a medical certification. To receive this placard, you must submit:
- Disability Parking Placard for Disabled Rhode Island Veterans application
- Copy of letter from Veterans Administration stating disability is 100% service-related (replaces medical certification)
Online Doctor's Certification
If applying through a telehealth service like ParkingMD, you can get your evaluation done completely online. You'll receive:
- A signed Disability Parking Placard Application completed by your RI-licensed physician, delivered to you via mail within 24-48 hours, ready for submission to the RI DMV
Lost or Stolen Placard Replacement
If your placard is lost or stolen, you'll need to provide:
- Affidavit for Lost & Damaged Placard form
- If stolen: copy of police report from local police
- If damaged: return damaged placard to DMV office
Permanent Placards
- Expire after 6 years.
- Renewal requires a new Disability Parking Placard Application with medical certification.
Long-Term Disability Placards
- Expire after 1-3 years as determined by physician.
- Renewal requires a new Disability Parking Placard Application with medical certification.
Temporary Disability Placards
- Valid for 2-12 months as determined by physician.
- If needed beyond expiration, a new application with medical certification is required.
Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Placard
- Complete Affidavit for Lost & Damaged Placard form.
- Submit copy of police report (if stolen) or return damaged placard (if damaged) to any DMV office or mail to the Disability Parking Placards Office.
Turnaround Time
Rhode Island Disabled parking permit applications are processed within 2-4 weeks from submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed and may require additional documentation.
Rhode Island Disability Parking Laws
- Qualifying conditions include inability to walk without assistive devices, severe lung disease, uses portable oxygen, Class III or IV cardiac condition, or legal blindness.
- A licensed physician with RI medical license must certify your condition on the Disability Parking Placard Application. Application must be submitted within 30 days of physician’s certification.
- Permanent disability placards (blue) are valid for 6 years.
- Long-term disability placards (blue) are valid for 1-3 years.
- Temporary disability placards (red) are valid for 2-12 months.
- Knowingly making false statements to obtain a placard is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail.
- Illegally parking in handicapped spaces: first offense $100, higher penalties for repeat violations.
- Unauthorized use of placard: $500 fine and immediate revocation of placard.
- Using expired placard: $500 fine and possible revocation.
- The placard must be hung from the rearview mirror when parked, visible from front and rear windshield, and removed when driving.
- Each individual is issued one placard.
Documents You’ll Need
To apply for, replace, or renew a Rhode Island disability parking placard, the required documents vary slightly depending on your situation. Here’s a breakdown:
New Permanent, Long-Term, or Temporary Placard
To apply for a new disability parking placard in Rhode Island, you’ll need:
- Disability Parking Placard Application, completed and signed by applicant and physician with RI medical license (must be submitted within 30 days of physician’s certification)
- RI driver’s license or RI state ID
Veteran Exemption
Veterans with 100% service-related disability may qualify for a disability placard without a medical certification. To receive this placard, you must submit:
- Disability Parking Placard for Disabled Rhode Island Veterans application
- Copy of letter from Veterans Administration stating disability is 100% service-related (replaces medical certification)
Online Doctor’s Certification
If applying through a telehealth service like ParkingMD, you can get your evaluation done completely online. You’ll receive:
- A signed Disability Parking Placard Application completed by your RI-licensed physician, delivered to you via mail within 24-48 hours, ready for submission to the RI DMV
Lost or Stolen Placard Replacement
If your placard is lost or stolen, you’ll need to provide:
- Affidavit for Lost & Damaged Placard form
- If stolen: copy of police report from local police
- If damaged: return damaged placard to DMV office
Permanent Placards
- Expire after 6 years.
- Renewal requires a new Disability Parking Placard Application with medical certification.
Long-Term Disability Placards
- Expire after 1-3 years as determined by physician.
- Renewal requires a new Disability Parking Placard Application with medical certification.
Temporary Disability Placards
- Valid for 2-12 months as determined by physician.
- If needed beyond expiration, a new application with medical certification is required.
Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Placard
- Complete Affidavit for Lost & Damaged Placard form.
- Submit copy of police report (if stolen) or return damaged placard (if damaged) to any DMV office or mail to the Disability Parking Placards Office.
Turnaround Time
Rhode Island Disabled parking permit applications are processed within 2-4 weeks from submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed and may require additional documentation.
Benefits of Choosing ParkingMD
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FAQs
How do I apply for a disability parking permit in Rhode Island?
To apply through an online service like ParkingMD, start by completing a quick evaluation with a licensed healthcare provider from the comfort of your home. If you're approved, your medically certified Disability Parking Placard Application will be delivered to you via email within 24-48 hours. Mail the completed application within 30 days to: Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, Disability Parking Placards Office, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-3024, to receive your handicap placard.
Can out-of-state visitors use their disability placards in Rhode Island?
Yes, Rhode Island recognizes valid disability placards and license plates issued by other U.S. states. Visitors can use their existing placard to access accessible parking spaces while in Rhode Island. Just make sure it's clearly displayed and up-to-date.
What are the parking rules for disability placards in Rhode Island?
Your Rhode Island disability placard must hang from the rearview mirror when parked, visible from the front and rear windshield. Remove the placard when driving. The placard is valid only when the authorized person is present in the vehicle. Unauthorized use results in a $500 fine and immediate revocation. Using an expired placard results in a $500 fine. Illegally parking in handicapped spaces results in a $100 fine for first offense, with higher penalties for repeat violations.
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Newport