I have been told that since my DH has Alzheimer's, that he qualifies for handicapped license plates. Since I am not handicapped, and I drive him everywhere, I am not certain if I should do it yet. Do any of you have them? Should I get them so that he won't have to walk as far? Within a year, I'll probably be getting a wheelchair like Divvi and Jane, but for now he is mobile. And should I get a regular handicapped plate, or see about getting a handicapped veterans plate? Do any of you know the difference in applying, cost, etc.?
i have been grappling with this one as well Mary, i need one truly he wont get out of the car sometimes when i need to run in and get his rx or something fast. if the car isnt parkd near the entrance so i can see him i go nuts . i use the handicap anyway and if i get a ticket so be it. i left him once in the car and within minutes he was lost casue he got out to look for me, i was frantic.i will be calling my dr asap to get plates too if anyone has gotten it with dementia. divvi
I think if you qualify for the handicapped plates you should get them. I'm going to ask next time we see the doctor if we would qualify. Technically, you are not supposed to use them if you are the one getting out of the car (at least in Oregon that was true), but when my deceased spouse was on Hospice I always used the handicapped plate so I could run in and get something quickly if I had him in the car with me. I just can't imagine getting a ticket for that and I never did.
I have a handicapped hanger (not a plate, but with the same advantages) because I was partially handicapped in the past. When I originally got it I was using a walker. We got the hanger because we had two cars at the time. Right now I think I probably still qualify. I have a leg that goes numb if I'm standing too long, and I still can't do steps. Right now I don't need to use it most of the time, so mostly I don't.
Occasionally the only reasonable parking space is the handicapped one, but I was "taught" by a friend who was in my situation at the time to use it when I needed to, and not use it when I didn't need it. So that is what I do.
It won't be much longer when my husband will be the one who will need that hanger. If I no longer qualify, we will get one in his name. Truly there are still places that I could not go to if we didn't have the hanger.
I got one early-on with no problems in my DH's name. I'd have a hard time in large parking lots walking him to the stores, etc, this made it a lot easier. After he died, the state did not renew it, but it was often for my benefit because I had to cope with the physicality of his disease. Get one--absolutely.
I'm not sure if it's different in each State, but in Massachusetts (where we used to live) and Florida(where we live now) you get the paperwork from the Registry; the doctor fills it out; and you send it or bring it to the Registry. I would recommend a tag rather than a license plate, so you can take it from car to car. We bring ours on vacation when we rent a car and use it in the rental car.
HOWEVER, my question is whether you can get one for someone who does not have a license. Many AD patients no longer have licenses, so I don't know if you can get one in his name, if you do the driving.
In our case, Sid got one BEFORE the AD diagnosis - it is for his diabetic foot condition.
I don't know why we don't think about looking on line for these answers! I checked on the Oregon DMV (our domicile state) and can print out the form. It states what is specific to getting the permits - some of it indicates you need to have a device for walking, but I still think my DH might qualify. Whatever, I will take the forms to the next doctor's appointment. I sure all states have a DMV site such as Oregons.
I checked my state's website also. If I get a disabled veteran license plate, it will be free. I can get a regular disabled plate and tag for other cars at the regular cost. I need the doctor to fill out the form (if he qualifies) and take it to the DMV and they will issue the plates/tags.
I sent an email to your DMV asking about getting a tag as caregiver for AD husband who has no drivers license as his expired this yr and i need to get just an identiy card. will see what they say...divvi i always have his wheelchair in the car when we are out and about so maybe that will qualify. dr will need to fill out form if its possible though.
I checked on the Maine regulations for Handicapped plates and found this. It answers the question about someone who does not have a driver's license:
To be eligible for a Maine disabled license plate or removable windshield placard that allows you to park in designated disabled parking spaces, you need to be certified by a physician as having a disability that impairs your ability to walk. Specifically, you must come under any of the following definitions:
Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest Cannot walk without assistance from a brace, crane, crutch, or prosthetic device Have serious breathing issues due to lung disease Use portable oxygen Have a major cardiac condition Be severely limited by arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) may also grant disability plates and placards to a spouse, parent, or legal guardian of someone who meets the above qualifications. Organizations that transport people with disabilities may also apply for disability parking privileges.
A disability may be classified as temporary or permanent. Someone with a temporary disability may be issued a parking placard that is valid for six months. A permanently disabled person may receive plates or placards that are valid for four years. In this case, the license plate's registration must be renewed every year, as with an ordinary plate, but the doctor's certification is required only every fourth year.
The Pennsylvania form was online when I needed it 4 years ago. I filled it out and took it to my doctor to be signed. At that point I was still using a cane. In California it was the walker that was used as the reason. I'm pretty sure that most of our AD spouses qualify under the "neurological" condition above. They might want to give you the hanger instead of a plate. You use it when the disabled person is in the car.
My husband would qualify under the "major cardiac condition" mentioned above. As far as I can tell, most states are using similar rules and as long as the doctor thinks you should have the plate or hanger you can have it.
Darn right you get those plates! It's hard enough to have to tote all the groceries and find the car and make sure DW doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Handicap plates was the best thing I ever did. We are able to get in and out with a minimum of fuss, and you all know how much fuss ends up affecting their personality, and thus your ability to take them places.
In Texas, you have your doctor sign the sheet that you can print off of DPS (or they have them in their offices). It takes $5 for the placard, and you are in. I never hesitated, and I'm glad we did it.
Funny, they wouldn't give ME one although I broke my Achille's tendon and can't walk, but DW got one. I had to tell her it was for me!
BTW, the handicap plates aren't only for people who DRIVE and are handicapped, they are for people who DRIVE the handicapped. Wheelchairs and heart conditions aren't the only reason to park close; having a person in your care who freaks out at large strange places also qualifies as someone who needs to have as little time in between the parking lot and the building!
Starling......... I just filled out the application for the state of Wisconsin and nowhere does it ask for "Why" It only asks the doc that is signing it if the person they are signing for;s Medical condition or disibility may prevent them from exercising reasonable control over a motor vehical ,, is so contact the motor vehical dept.... I don;t think its any depts.buisness WHY........ that is for a Doctor and the patiant or there representitive to decide.. Just my .02.......... Dan
In both California and Pennsylvania there was a section for the reason. But in both cases I figured out it wasn't my job to fill it out and both doctors knew exactly what to write in and did it.
The reason the DMV might want to know if the disability might keep someone from driving safely is the same reason that some of us are in the process of pulling a licence. In your case, you need the plate/hanger because you are transporting someone who needs to be in the handicaped spot. And the doctor should be filling that fact in. The handicapped person won't be doing the driving.
Again, I'd just put this into the hands of the doctor because it is not the first time they have dealt with it.
I agree with trisinger -- here in Texas (Arlington), we paid $5 for the placard -- I didn't have to get any paperwork -- I sent my husband's PCP a note asking for the info needed to get the plates & she sent us the DMV form, and a "prescription" -- I took both to our Tax Assessor's office and it was that simple. I only had to add our VIN # and make/model of car to the paperwork & sign it "for" my husband as his guardian. No questions asked. It was very easy and I'm glad we got it. I don't generally use it if we can get a spot "near" the spots for handicapped people because a few xtra steps for my husband is "good exercise", however, if the only spots are out in the "north 40", i.e. grocery shopping, I use it faithfully! One thing, normally the ones I've seen are "blue", but this one is "RED" & is marked "Permanent" rather than "Temporary" disabled...It is good for 4 years too, so no 'renewing' year after year. I declined to get the "disabled plates" because I just don't want the hassel of getting those changed back to "normal" later...so the placard works great for us! My husb seems fine with it all -- no issues at all.
You absolutely can get a handicap sign for those not able to drive. What in the world do they think, people who are unable to drive never go anywhere, not on your life they don't. I got one for my husband early on when he no longer could or would walk any distance. One thing I did run into though was when I started to have it renewed, I had to have his ID. He no longer had a license and of course they went by the State ID that I had for him. Once your Loved One gives up the license you need to keep the legal ID up to date. It works just like a license as far as legal things go.
It has absolutely nothing to do with being able to drive.
I too have a hanger for George...I love it and would like to get a license plate too...George don't drive any more but I still have his old license with his picture on it also his military ID wonder if I can get a license for handy cap..I han call them to find out..JOY
I just checked in NYS, and there is a form available on line. you need , of course, a doctor's note, but it can be on thier letterhead. The permit is issued to the person disabled, even if that's not the driver. I think it's a great idea to get one, although I am religious about not parking in them, in this case, when he's with me, I really could use it. I wanted to go to Target yesterday, and the only spot was quite aways, and he wanted to stay in the car, Well, it was way too hot for that, so I insisted he come into the store. he was exhausted when we got there, (although it was probably only 1/2 a block) and it would have been great if I could have parked close for him. I would like to be able to let him out, but i don't know where he'll be when I finish parking the car.
The permit is always issued to the person disabled, and that is why you can't use the plate or placard unless they are in the car. Which of course makes sense!
The other day I went to church without my LO, and swung into our usual h/c spot, just out of habit. I was almost out of the car before I remembered! Luckily, I just had to move over a row. But I sure have come to rely on that!
The State issues identification for those who do not have a driver license. It is important that everyone who can keep this up to date. It expires just like the Drivers License but is accepted anywhere as legal identification. I just renewed my husbands this past year. They take their picture and the whole works it looks just like a Drivers License except it says Identification and has the State seal. This is very important during these times as before long all citizens will be required to have legal identification. You do not want your spouses to be without this.
i have to get an ID for my spouse as well his drivers lic expired in march. its so hard to get them to the place sometimes:) jane did your husband have to sign anything for the state ID , i dont think mine can sign but i guess i can take the DPOA and do it if something needs signing? ido have the expired license with me. divvi
divvi, the first time the MVA just let me sign his name and did not make a big deal out of it, I really think it was because she herself was unsure what to do. Then this time when we had to get it renewed I had to lay the whole 9 yards on the table, meaning they wanted the POA, I had taken it with me because I thought they would request it. I have had his done twice and both times he was unable to sign. What really gets me is how they allow these to expire just like a drivers license, I guess because it brings more money to them. Everything on this earth anymore is gimmie gimmie gimmie. money racket.
These should not expire, you are who you are and always will be. I just wish I could start a walk about how stupid some of the laws are. Sorry to rant and rave but some things are just plain stupid. and this is one of them.
Thanks guys, i will have the DPOA with me when we go soon, just in case. i know, a hand is stretched out for just about everything. hard enough on the AD person just to get them somewhere. divvi i never know with him somedays he can sign pretty good then others the letters are 3in long:) thanks,
Jane, I haven't had to get a DMV ID for my husband yet -- they didn't pull his driver's license -- but aren't the ID's photo ID's just like a driver's license? So then they would need to update the photo periodically, so that the picture matches the person.
Thrilled to tell everyone know that our Neuro gave us the 'parking permit' for disability without questions. i twisted my knee a couple of days ago wheeling my DH into dr office uphill, i am so glad to finally get one after all these yrs of suffering with him in the car. anyway i just need to go to DMV and pick it up. and it say permanent disability. whohoooo! :)divvi//
My DH has a placard that will expire next year. Besides AD he has severe spinal stenosis. Handicap placard expires next year. I need to figure out what to do. His driver's license expired in March. He doesn't know that - he never pays attention to it. Three doctors have said that he shouldn't drive but I guess he likes to think that he could. He hasn't driven for over two years and doesn't mind that I do all the driving. I know he should just have the one for I.D. but I don't really know how to handle that with him without causing a major battle. He'll probably want to try to get another driver's license. Maybe I can slip them a note telling them that he isn't supposed to drive. What do you think?
My DH licensed expired in march as well, so i have to get the ID one as well before i get the new handicap parking permit. if it were me, i'd probably do as you say and send them an email maybe with his lic number saying to 'block' renewal when he comes in. and just say to him he can get only a new ID and since 3 dr have stated no driving then that is how it has to be. its just too much risk at any stage. as on other discussions it has been talked about how a good atty would sue for everything possible if AD person hurt or caused an accident REGARDLESS they were in the wrong as they shouldnt be driving in the first place per dr orders. its a hard thing to see them have to give up the driving lic even if it was only to have for identification as was our case, DH hasnt driven in 9yrs. my dear DAD couldnt drive either due to palsy in the end 2yrs ago, and he would get up in the middle of the nite and crawl into my moms care while she slept! and drive around the neighborhood-luckily he never had an accident./.can you imagine our AD spouses doing this?? play it safe and take the keys and license. divvi
If your DH license has expired & they are not driving, I would just let things be. Explaining the deadlines, etc will only confuse them. They can probably use an expired license for ID, if & when they need it. I had the ID for my DH and I can't remember his ever needing it. In CA, they do not need a driver's license to get a handicap parking permit. I had one for my DH after he stopped driving because it was so hard on me to walk him thru a parking lot. It's for the handicapped person, even if he's a passenger, not the driver. You see healthy drivers all the time helping a passenger w/a wheelchair & handicap permit. As drivers, we need it to assist, otherwise we may end up needing one ourselves. Be sure to take them off of your insurance. It's all but impossible to control them every moment, Divvi's Dad sent shivers up my spine! So, yes, absolutely, keep all keys well hidden and car door locked just in case they try to hot-wire it.
there is also another question i have been thinking about for those who have AD spouses with licenses and insurance. if you do not renew their expired license i dont think they would be covered under an insurance policy since the license is expired. plus if you take them off your insurance policy and they are TITLED owner of a vehicle that could raise some issues as well . i am almost positive at least here in tx that a titled owner of a vehicle CANT be excluded from the auto coverage. thus this could create issues as well as then the spouse would have to transfer the auto into their name alone and get another policy for them alone..i just went thru this with my polilcy and luckily the vehicle we have is in my name only so the insurance i transfered into my name and covers me only now. like other have said in othr discussions, the insurance carrier will determine if they need to cancel the original policy with the AD spouse and redo it to the driving spouse only. i strongly suggest you consult with your agent on this issue as NONE of us would want to be told our policy was not deemed 'in force' if/when the need arises due to expired licenses, and or us not notifying the insurance company that our spouses have been dx with AD .some policies could have it in their underwriting that you must notify them if the drivers mental or physcial state changes- in my case my policy dropped some in price as they were still rating my insurance policy on my 73yr old DH as still adriver even though he hasnt driven in 9yrs.. so taking him off my policy actually reduced the policy premiums. if you have questions call your agent. divvi
For the person who is worried about replacing the placard that is going to expire soon, might I suggest asking your own family doctor if YOU qualify for a handicapped placard. Frankly, I'd be really surprised if most of the caregiver's on this forum do not qualify in their own right.
Just a few days ago at neuro appt I asked for and got the rx from dr for the handicap tag-never questioned a thing, just wrote it out. i told him how hard it was getting him not to shut down walking if i had to walk with him more than 50ft. paper says permanent disability, dementia. i called the county office for the tag and they said i needed to wait til i receive his new ID card with his updated picture on it, as if i use the tag while driving he must be in the car -so he does need to be identified if stopped. what a relief to get the tag, i should have done it yrs ago.! divvi
I'm not an expert, but I'm thinking they do not give a person who is not handicapped a permit. If you transport someone who is HC, then you take their placard with you. You can have the CAR get the plates, but it is to transport around that person, or in the case of a city/metro bus type vehicle, only handicapped people.
I was refused a HC card even though I have a snapped Achilles tendon. Try walking with one of those! It's not on the list. But AD is (in Texas). Don't forget...whatever rules we know we may know for our state only. It never hurts to ask! yhc
Sunshyne, you are right, we did receive that confirmation. I had renewed my husband's license for his pride's sake, knowing I have all of the keys well hidden from him in case he forgets he can't drive! When I received the two placards, they took his license and added on the back that he was disabled, so that when we use the placard, if anyone questions it, his license has it on the back as well. Caregivers can get the forms signed by the doctors just as divid and I did. For those not wanting to get the driver's license renewed (and insurance isn't a problem due to title) you can get the ID as well.
By the way, the placards we received say that we should not use while driving, only when parked. I guess the placard blocks the driver's vision.
In Michigan the placards are hung from the mirror when parked and say right on them, they are not to be hanging while driving. Also, drivers who park in handicapped spots canb be ticketed--fine starts at $100. If you forget to hang it, you can request the ticket be waived--but don't get into that habit. Just happened with our in-home help guy, anbd we're waiting for the final word back--there is a procedure involved. Chronic "forgetfulness" won't be waived.
What would happen if you kept the placard on the dashboard? It wouldn't block the driver's vision, it would be out where you'd see it (help you remember to hang it from the mirror) and if you forget, it would be where the ticketing person could see it ...
I think it would depend on your dashboard. It would fall off into my lap when I drove if it was my dashboard. The car I have now is the same make and model as the one I had when I first got the placard, so I always put it into the glove compartment.
If you want to see it all the time, and you have the same kind of dashboard I have, maybe it will fit in one of the cupholders or in the side pocket on the driver's side of the car?
I have forgotten to put it out. So far I have never gotten a ticket, but I always realized that I could plead guilty with an explanation and bring in the placard and throw myself on the mercy of the judge. Some 45 years ago we got a ticket for not moving our car for alternate side of the street parking and that is what I did. I explained to the Judge that the car had been under 12 inches of ice when we left for work and they gave out tickets that day. He had been seeing people with those tickets from that day that whole week. He gave me a pass because giving out tickets right after a major storm just plain made no sense.
Comment Author lmohr hr CommentTime 51 seconds ago edit delete
Just a reminder that if you haven't already got a Handicap Parking Card you can get one at the DMV. There is a form for the Doctor to fill out and you take or mail it back to the DMV. lmohr
I picked ours up yesterday. The doctor had signed the forms I printed off the DMV website and it was so easy - no waiting. They just took the paperwork and handed my the Parking Permit!
OT: Mercy of the judge! I worked at Brown University in Providence RI. There have never been enough parking spaces for all the employees, so everyone played two-hour tag, going out to move the car at 10:30 into the spot of someone else who had moved just before them. Still do, I think. But there was one street where you could park for 3 hours, but you couldn't park within 15' of the corner. I squeezed into the end spot. Got a ticket.
Went to Traffic Court. Judge was a woman. I said, I had measured the distance from the corner; I sew, and nose to tip of finger is three feet, and I measured it five times, fifteen feet! The judge laughed and let me off. I found out later that this encounter ended up on local cable tv, though I never saw it, and people at Brown never let me hear the end of it!