Notice: The Department of Safety no longer issues Disabled Parking Placards. As of 2006, the Department of Revenue handles requests for Disabled Parking Placards. Please visit the Department of Revenue site for more information.

Nashville, Tennessee --- In an effort to curb the abuse and misuse of disabled parking privileges, the General Assembly recently passed legislation that makes significant changes to the law governing the issuance of disabled driver placards. The following changes to the issuance of disabled parking placards take effect July 1:

The definition of a "disabled driver" now includes persons whose impairments limit them from walking 200 hundred feet without stopping to rest.

• All persons renewing a disabled driver placard must resubmit medical certification prior to the renewal of the placard.
• Any person who knowingly or falsely misrepresents oneself as disabled in order to obtain a placard commits a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

Persons with disabled placards expiring in July and August are being notified by the Department of Safety of the change requiring medical re certification when renewing a permanent or temporary placard. Revised applications with a designated area for medical certification are being sent to those affected by the change in law.

Permanent disabled placards are valid for a period of two years. Temporary placards are issued for the estimated duration of the disabling condition not exceeding six months, as certified by a doctor.

For more information or to download an application for a disabled parking placard/license plate, please visit www.tennessee.gov/safety.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.