the following is general information of value to all motorists as it relates to parking for persons with disabilities. The rules of parking for people with disabilities were enacted by the State of Wisconsin in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide appropriate and convenient parking for individuals, who, because of mobility limitations have special parking needs. It is very important that all motorists understand these rules.
License Plates and Hangtags
Who can get special license plates or hang tags for persons with disabilities? Any person certified by an authorized health care specialist as having a qualified permanent or temporary disability that by legal definition includes the following:
- Cannot walk 200 feet or more without stopping to rest.
- Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, another person or brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistance device.
- Is restricted by lung disease to the extent that forced expiratory volume for one second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
- Ability to walk is severely limited in the due to arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.
- Uses portable oxygen.
- Has cardiac conditions to the extent that functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or IV according to standards accepted by the American Heart Association.
If you have any questions regarding how to get a disabled license plate or hang tag, or what privileges or responsibilities apply, call the Wisconsin DOT at 608-266-3041 (voice) or 608-264-8703 (TTY), weekdays between 7:00am and 4:30pm.
Military License Plates
The only military type license plate that qualifies for the parking privileges granted by State and Federal rules is the “Disabled Veteran" plate.
Parking Privileges
A qualified person with disabilities driving or riding in a vehicle bearing a disabled license plate or hang tag issued by any state or country is granted the following parking privileges when the person with the disability is in the vehicle when the vehicle is being parked:
- May park in places reserved for people with disabilities.
- Is exempt from time limitations at parking spaces with a half hour or more limit. This does not include parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities that have a posted time limit.
- Is exempt from payment in metered parking spaces with half-hour or more limit. This does not include payment collected by parking cashiers.
- Backing into an off-street parking space designated for persons with disabilities is permitted even if posted otherwise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not forget to put the new expiration date stickers on the hang tag.
Do not forget to properly display your hang tag while parked in a disabled parking space.
Do not operate your vehicle with the hang tag hanging from the rearview mirror. The hang tag could obstruct your vision and subject you to receiving a moving traffic citation.
Do not park in the access aisles located adjacent to disabled parking spaces.
Access aisles are crucial for people using disabled parking spaces. They provide room to accommodate the special needs of people with disabilities when getting in to or out of a parked vehicle. Access aisles are marked with diagonal lines painted on the lot surface.
