To qualify for a handicap placard, the criteria vary by state, but generally, the persons ability to walk is limited, impaired, or creates a safety condition while walking. Specific conditions include, but are not limited to:

• Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
• Uses portable oxygen
• Cannot walk without the use of or assistance from any of the following: another person, brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device

In Virginia, to apply for a disabled parking placard or license plate, you must complete and submit a completed Disabled Parking Plates or Placard Application (MED 10) . Your application must include a certification of your disability from your physician, physicians assistant, nurse practitioner, podiatrist, or chiropractor. Podiatrists and chiropractors may only certify for the conditions or disabilities listed in the certification section provided for podiatrists and chiropractors on the MED 10 form. However, certification from a medical professional is not required if you are applying for a license plate showing the International Symbol of Access and you already hold a permanent placard, or if you hold disabled parking license plates and you are applying for a permanent placard.

In some states, people with chronic illnesses like arthritis or lung disease that make it painful or difficult to walk may also qualify for a handicapped parking permit. The DMV will need your doctor to verify your medical condition, and other health-care professionals such as an optometrist, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner may also be able to document your condition. If you’re visibly disabled and appear at a DMV office, the requirement of a physician’s certification might be waived in some states.