How to Obtain a Handicap Placard After Knee Surgery

During your recovery from knee surgery, you may be allowed the privilege of having a handicap placard for your vehicle. You may be able to keep the placard after your recovery period if your surgery left you with an inability to walk for more than a short distance. Obtain your handicap placard in advance of your surgery to maximize benefit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Obtain A Handicap Placard After Knee Surgery

1. Apply well in advance of the date you expect to need your placard. Most states take 2 to 4 weeks to process an application.

2. Find out the laws for your locality by contacting your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Your doctor may also know the state's policies.

3. Ask if your doctor's office supplies applications for handicap permits. Many physicians keep a supply on hand as a courtesy to their patients.

4. Have your doctor or the appropriate person in the doctor's office fill out and sign the medical certification portion of the application for a placard.

5. Realize that many states charge a fee for a temporary handicap placard. This fee may be waived if you are unable to afford it.

6. Recognize that handicap placards do not allow you to park in fire lanes. In addition, handicap zones with cross stripes areas on either side are reserved for individuals with handicap vans.

7. Understand that each state may have its own specific rules on how to obtain a handicap permit after knee surgery.

8. Note that you can use a handicap placard in any car in which you are traveling. You do not have to own the vehicle in order to display the placard. Most states do not even require that you own a vehicle at all to receive a placard.

Tips & Warnings

• Some insurance plans may reimburse you for the cost of purchasing a temporary handicap placard.
• If you are being driven by a non-handicapped person, consider being let off at an accessible entrance.
• Have your vehicle parked in a non-handicapped spot by the person who is driving you. This courtesy allows handicapped persons who are driving themselves to have access to handicap spaces.
• Do not lend your handicap placard to another person. Lending it can result in your losing the privilege to have one.
• If you have a handicap placard that hangs on your review mirror, consider securing it when not in use.
• Display your placard as prescribed by law. Incorrectly displayed placards can cause you to be ticketed.
• Do not allow a person who is not handicapped to drive your car and park in a handicapped space.
• Immediately report it if your placard is lost or stolen.

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