Car icon Handicapped Plate & Permit


 

Handicapped Vehicle/Parking Permit

 


Handicapped Parking Permits are available at no charge to all individuals who qualify. To qualify, the applicant must have a certified medical condition that limits personal mobility resulting in the applicant's inability to travel more than two hundred feet without assistance such as a wheel chair, crutch, walker, prosthetic or other device.

The definition of a certifiable medical condition is:

  • Severe visual, physical, or neurological impairment;
  • Severe respiratory problems;
  • Class III or Class IV cardiac condition;
  • Loss of all or substantially all the use of one or more limbs.

Handicapped vehicle permit hanging from rear-view mirror in vehicle

Handicapped Parking Permits are also issued to facilities such as retirement homes, hospitals, schools and places of a similar type involved in the transportation of handicapped individuals. These permits are assigned to specific vehicles that are titled and registered in the name of the facility and can only be used with the vehicle to which the permit was specifically assigned.

Each handicapped individual is allowed two (2) permits. Handicapped individuals may also obtain Handicapped License plates for their vehicle in addition to their permit(s).

Appropriate use of a Handicapped Parking Permit

  • A Handicapped Parking Permit is not transferable and may not be reproduced or altered.
  • Only handicapped individual or the motor vehicle to which the permit was specifically assigned can use the permit. The receipt that accompanies the permit at the time of issuance must remain with the permit at all times.
  • The permit is only to be used when the handicapped or disabled person is entering or exiting a motor vehicle while it is parked in a designated Handicapped Parking space.
  • The permit should be attached to the rearview mirror while the vehicle is parked in a designated Handicapped Parking space. It should not be attached to the rearview mirror while the vehicle is in motion. If there is no rearview mirror in the vehicle, the permit should be displayed on the dashboard.

Types of Handicapped Parking Permits

Permanent

A Permanent Permit is blue in color and indicates the permit holder has a permanent medical condition. A Permanent Permit must be renewed every six (6) years. All Permanent Permits expire on the last day of the month of the applicant's birthday in the sixth (6th) year of issuance.

Temporary

A Temporary Permit is red in color and is valid for three (3) or six (6) months as determined the medical professional certifying the applicant's medical condition. If after the initial period has expired the temporary condition still exists, a Temporary Permit may be renewed one time for an additional three (3) or six (6) month period. If after the Temporary permit has been renewed the condition remains, the individual must apply for a Permanent Permit.

 

Applying for a Handicapped Parking Permit

Your Nebraska licensed medical professional (physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner) may submit your request for a new or renewal permit through the online application. To get started, contact your medical professional to request a permit.

If your medical professional is licensed in a state other than Nebraska to provide medical services in Nebraska, you may download an application.

  • The application must be submitted to your medical professional for completion of the Medical Certification portion of the application form.
  • Mail the completed application form, along with a photocopy of acceptable proof of identification to:
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver and Vehicle Records Division
Attn: Handicapped Parking Permits
PO Box 94789
Lincoln, Ne 68509-4789
  • Acceptable forms of identification are:
    • valid driver's license;
    • valid state identification card;
    • valid certified birth certificate;
    • valid passport;
    • other valid, reliable form of identification containing date of birth, or;
    • a combination of valid, reliable forms containing date of birth.

Once the permit has been processed it is sent directly to the applicant by mail.

Renewal of a Handicapped Parking Permit

Handicapped Parking Permits are valid until the last day of the month of expiration. Applications for renewal of a Handicapped Parking Permit may be submitted one hundred and eighty (180) days prior to expiration. However, this office cannot mail the renewed permit before 10 days prior to the last day of the month of expiration.

Both Permanent and Temporary Handicapped Parking Permits are renewed by submitting an application in the same manner as when the initial permit was obtained.

Replacement Permits

In the event a permit has been lost or stolen, if the permit to be replaced was issued on or after May 7, 2012, a replacement permit may obtained by the permit holder online by using the Handicap Permits (Public Services) application.

Permit holder's with permits issued before May 7, 2012, may request a replacement by completing an  Application for Handicapped Parking Permit and checking the box marked Replacement. It is not necessary for the medical certification to be completed for a replacement permit. The completed application is then mailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a photocopy of acceptable proof of identification.

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver and Vehicle Records Division
Attn: Handicapped Parking Permits
PO Box 94789
Lincoln, Ne 68509-4789

Permit holders are limited to two (2) replacement permits. After the second replacement, if a another replacement permit is needed, a new application with the proper medical certification is required. The new permit request may be processed by the permit holder's medical professional online, or the permit holder may submit a properly completed  Application for Handicapped Parking Permit (medical certification required) by mail to the Department.

Second Permits

Permit holders are allowed to have two valid handicap permits at one time. Permit holder's with one valid permit issued on or after May 7, 2012, may request a second permit online by using the Handicap Permit Services.

Permit holder's with permits issued before May 7, 2012, may request a second permit by completing an Application for Handicapped Parking Permit and checking the box marked Second Permit. The applicant’s portion of the application must be completed in full and signed by the permit holder or an authorized representative. If the permit holder currently has a valid permit, the medical certification portion of the application does not need to be completed. The completed application is then mailed to the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a photocopy of acceptable proof of identification.

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver and Vehicle Records Division
Attn: Handicapped Parking Permits
PO Box 94789
Lincoln, Ne 68509-4789

Acceptable Forms of Identification

  • valid driver's license
  • valid state identification card
  • valid certified birth certificate
  • valid passport
  • other valid, reliable form of identification containing date of birth, or
  • a combination of valid, reliable forms containing date of birth

 


 

Handicapped Plates

 

The definition of a certifiable medical condition may be, but is not limited to:

  • Severe visual, physical, or neurological impairment;
  • Severe respiratory problems;
  • Class III or Class IV cardiac condition;
  • Loss of all or substantially all the use of one or more limbs.

The applicant must be the owner of the vehicle as shown on the title, or the applicant's parents, legal guardian, foster parent, beneficiary of trust, agent or the named lessee on a leased vehicle. Handicapped license plates may be placed on one motor vehicle and/or one motorcycle.

Any vehicle plated with Handicapped plates cannot be used or maintained for the transportation of persons or property for hire.

Sample Handicap license plate Download the Handicapped Plates Application

 

Sample Handicapped License plate

Submitting an Application

  • Applications may be obtained by contacting the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles or can be downloaded above.
  • Once you have obtained an application, the applicant's portion must be completed in full and signed by the handicapped individual or authorized representative.
  • The applications must then be submitted to your physician for completion of the Medical Certification portion.
  • All initial applications for Handicapped License plates must be submitted for approval to this office.

Before submitting your application, be sure that all areas are completed in full and are legible.

Once the application is approved, a written notification is sent to the applicant. This notification informs the applicant of when the plates will be available at their County Treasurer's office and must be presented to the county official when the plates are registered.

All appropriate registration fees and taxes must be paid at the time of issuance of new plates. Motor vehicle tax must be paid unless the individual is a disabled veteran and is certified as tax exempt by the County Treasurer.

If you would like to request a Permanent Handicapped Parking Permit be included with your Handicapped License plates, and you do not currently hold a valid permit, you may request a permit by checking the box below your signature on the Application for Handicapped License Plates form. This option can only be used if you are requesting a NEW permit.

The Application for Handicapped License Plates cannot be used to renew a Handicapped Parking Permit. If you need to renew your Handicapped Parking Permit, please refer to the section on Handicapped Parking Permits.

 

Questions regarding Handicap License Plates may be addressed by email or by phone at (402) 471-3918.