Why are there both DV and disabled parking license plates?

The in basket: Garland Freymann writes, “I am a Vietnam 100 percent disabled amputee veteran with Washington “DV” license plates that are given by the state with no renewal fees. I also have a disabled placard. In a cost-cutting measure for the state, why do I still have to prove by the placard that I am qualified to park in a handicapped parking zone? We could save money by not having to produce these and allow the same privilege as handicapped plates.”

The out basket: Brad Benfield of the Department of Licensing says, “The Disabled American Veteran (DV) license plates are different from the plates issued to people with disabilities that enable them to use parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities.

“They were created in different sections of state law, for different purposes, and with different qualification requirements. It is true that many of our veterans who have DV plates also qualify for disabled parking privileges, but that isn’t automatically the case.

“To qualify for Disabled American Veteran license plates, a veteran must provide proof of honorable or medical discharge and a 100 percent service-connected disability. The advantage of this type of registration is an exemption from annual renewal fees.

“To quality for Disabled Parking license plates, a person has to present  a medical certificate signed by a medical professional with a determination that the individual has one of the specific medical conditions detailed in state law.  The advantage of this type of plate is, of course, the use of parking reserved for people with disabilities.”

“Your reader’s suggestion makes sense,” Brad said, “but the bottom line is that the conditions which may cause a veteran to be disabled can be far different from the conditions that qualify a person for disabled parking privileges (and the associated plates and placards).

“We have to keep them separate because there are conditions that may result in a 100 percent military disability that would not qualify an individual for disabled parking. Also, there are many conditions that would qualify a veteran for disabled parking that would not qualify them for DV plates.”



2 thoughts on “Why are there both DV and disabled parking license plates?

  1. Not all holders of DV plates are physically disabled or require a handicapped parking placard. I am 100% P&T with VA but do not qualify for the placard.

    Is it really such a bother out of your day to hang a piece of paper on your mirror when you park?

  2. I think that you missed it on this one – seems like Garland was asking why he has to provide proof for the Disabled Person placard he gets when he already has permanent Disabled Person Vehicle (DV) plates for his car! The disabled veteran vanity plates are not what he was asking about. Most people who have disabled plates (with the wheel chair icon) also have a placard just in case they are riding with someone else or in a car that doesn’t belong to them. That way they still have access to disabled parking when they need it.

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