how to get a handicap placard in pa

To get a handicap parking placard in Pennsylvania, follow these steps:

1. Obtain the application form, known as Form MV-145A, which can be downloaded from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) website or picked up at a PennDOT Driver License Center or your doctor's office.
2. Have a licensed healthcare provider complete and sign the medical certification portion of the form to certify your disability.
3. Complete the application form with your information.
4. Submit the completed application and medical certification by mail to PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68268, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8268, or submit it in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center.
5. Once approved, you will receive the handicap placard by mail. There is no fee for the placard.
6. Placards can be permanent (valid for 5 years) or temporary (valid for 6 months) depending on the nature of the disability.

Eligibility includes conditions such as blindness, inability to walk 200 feet without resting, use of mobility aids, severe lung or cardiac conditions, and others as defined by PennDOT. The placard must be hung from the vehicle's rearview mirror when in use and is only valid when the person with the disability is in the vehicle. Misuse of the placard is a serious offense with penalties. This process and eligibility are governed by PennDOT and applies universally across Pennsylvania and is recognized nationwide in the U.S.