Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Anne8 11/02/2012

OK, I would like people to tell me about their experience with getting handicapped parking permits.

I get tired out walking more than 10 min, so I really need to have the car close, but my poor husband has to do a taxi service for me, driving to the door if I want to even consider riding in the car. (I live in a big city, there is very little parking and getting a handicapped parking permit in Spain is ridiculously impossible. You have to have more than a physical handicap to get disabled status.)

So, as I am American, I was thinking of 'creatively' getting handicapped parking here by getting one from the States and then 'transferring' it to a European one.

hmmmingbird 11/02/2012

I applied to the Department of Motor Vehicles, had my doctor sign it, and I was approved four years ago. Last month I was able to renew it by mail for four more years.

ezone 11/02/2012

I got the form from the DMV and had the doctor sign it. You have to get the form first and then take t to your doc. In my State it is $5 for the placard. You can get more than one, they are $5 each (it does come in handy if you have more than one cars or if you lose one as I have).

ezone 11/02/2012

BTW, the form is at the registration place where you get your plates, not the place where you get your driver's license.

deleted_user 11/02/2012

I called DMV and they mailed me application-had my PCP sign it, mailed it back- no fee and asked for two placards- one so I can take with me if I ride with a friend.I bet you could get one here and tranfer it there since you are USA citizen,Ellen

lchoppel 11/03/2012

see:

http://www.theleader.info/200/article/14462/disabled-parking-badges-putting-you-in-th-know/

It says that such is transferrable. You have to apply for a special universal plaq.

Anne8 11/03/2012

Thanks for the help! I now feel like I have some way to maybe get one! It is so stupid here right now. . . you get evaluated by a medical doctor and psychologist to get classified officially handicapped. If they say you are 33% handicapped or more you can get a ton of benefits (like you don't have to pay any income tax etc.) but if not you get diddly!

Of course it would be nice to not pay income tax, but really what I NEED is the handicapped parking! I was given 15% because I ONLY have mobility issues. Apparently if I had psychological issues maybe with another complication (like partial sight) then maybe it would up my percentage.

With the economic crisis hitting the country so hard, that is the excuse for being 'less generous' in evaluating diability. When I told my neurologist he was appalled, and told me that in the future when I am reevaluated, I need to exaggerate like everyone else! I don't like having to do that just to get the handicapped parking!

Anne8 11/03/2012

[Actually Lynne, I just checked that link you generously found for me. It is geared towards UK residents and it describes the process of seeing the doc/psych which I described. . . I am looking for an alternative way of getting it, like transferring an American one, since they are so ungenerous with it here!]

deleted_user 11/05/2012

Mine was easy! MD signed the form that I had DMV email/fax me and I turned it in. When I lived in Connecticut I turned it in by hand, but here in NH the main office is far away, so I mailed it in. One week later I had my license plate and 2 hang cards.

Saw a woman swerve into the HC spot while it was raining hard the other day. She grabbed her 3 year old swung her on her hip, and RAN for the door. Then she lifted the child into the carriage and did wheelie games with her thru the store. I wanted to SLAP her! She checked out at the same time, she was bubbly and funny, and hoisted that child out of the carriage and RAN for the truck. WTH!

I use the spot if I need it. I skip the spot if I dont.

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