A recent post by the Mount Dora police department in Central Florida highlighted the results of a focused crackdown on misuse of handicap parking placards. Many in the community applauded law enforcement’s efforts, but the situation raised important questions. How can police legally confiscate these permits? Who actually qualifies to use one? As of this year, more than 1.3 million permanent disabled parking permits are issued across Florida.
This guide covers the key rules and answers the most common questions about how handicap parking works in the state.
What disabilities or conditions qualify for a handicap parking permit?
Florida law allows permits for individuals with significant mobility issues. This includes anyone who cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest or who requires the use of an assistive device such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. It also includes people who are legally blind.
Temporary permits are available for individuals dealing with short-term mobility problems. For example, someone recovering from surgery or an injury could be eligible.
As of 2025, pregnant women in Florida can apply for a temporary disabled parking placard. This is available with a signed statement from a licensed physician confirming the pregnancy.
Disability types include:
- Inability to walk without the use of or assistance from a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, or other assistive device, or without assistance of another person. If the assistive device significantly restores the person’s ability to walk to the extent that the person can walk without severe limitation, the person is not eligible for the exemption parking permit.
- The need to permanently use a wheelchair.
- Restriction by lung disease to the extent that the person’s forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for 1 second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the person’s arterial oxygen is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
- Use of portable oxygen.
- Restriction by cardiac condition to the extent that the person’s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
- Severe limitation in a person’s ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
- Legally blind (certifiable only by an optometrist).
How do you get a handicap parking permit in Florida?
Applicants need to complete an official state form, which must be signed by a certified medical professional. This includes physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurse practitioners, and optometrists in some cases.
The applicant must also provide valid identification, such as a Florida driver’s license or state ID. If the disability is long-term, the permanent placard is valid for up to four years and always expires on the applicant’s birthday.
Temporary placards are issued for the period specified by the medical professional, not exceeding six months. There is a fifteen-dollar fee for temporary permits. Permanent permits are typically free to apply for or renew.
If a placard is lost or stolen, it can be replaced with the appropriate documentation and in some cases a police report.
Do you have to pay at meters with a handicap parking permit?
In Florida, if a vehicle displays a valid handicap placard or license plate, the driver does not have to pay for metered parking for up to four hours.
This does not mean free rein over every spot. You still cannot park where signs prohibit it, such as in loading zones, fire lanes, or restricted areas. And if there is a time limit posted, that still applies unless otherwise stated by local law.
Can a caregiver or family member use someone else’s handicap parking permit?
No. This is one of the biggest misconceptions.
A caregiver or family member can only use the placard if they are actively transporting the person it was issued to. If you are using the placard and the qualifying individual is not in the vehicle, it is a violation of state law.
It does not matter if you are running an errand for the disabled person who owns the permit.
Misuse in this way is treated seriously and can lead to criminal charges.
How can police confiscate a handicap parking permit?
Florida law allows law enforcement or certified parking enforcement officials to confiscate any placard that is being misused. That includes permits that are:
- Expired
- Altered or damaged
- Reported as stolen
- Used by someone other than the person they were issued to
- Missing required identifying information, such as the placard owner’s driver’s license number
If someone is convicted of misusing a permit, they cannot reapply for a new one for at least four years.
What is the difference between a blue and a red handicap parking permit?
In Florida, color indicates the type of permit.
- Blue placards are for long-term disabilities. They are valid for four years and do not require a fee to renew.
- Red placards are temporary. They are issued for short-term disabilities and expire after a maximum of six months. A fee is required for red placards.
In 2025, the state also began issuing temporary placards for pregnant women, which may follow the same red design used for other temporary permits.
Can pregnant women get a temporary handicap parking permit?
Yes. As of July 1, 2025, pregnant individuals can obtain a temporary permit with a physician’s certification. The cost is fifteen dollars, and it is valid for up to one year.
This is part of an effort to accommodate those who face physical difficulty while pregnant, particularly in the later stages.
What are the penalties for misusing a handicap parking permit?
Using a permit that belongs to someone else or providing false information to obtain one is considered a criminal offense in Florida.
If someone uses a valid placard without the authorized individual present, they can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor. This carries penalties of up to one thousand dollars in fines and up to six months in jail.
Falsifying information on a permit application is a first-degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to one year in jail and fines up to one thousand dollars.
If convicted, the person also loses the right to reapply for a new permit for four years.
Doctors who knowingly provide false information to help someone obtain a permit can also be punished according to the law.
What happens if you park in a handicap spot without a permit?
This is another issue with strict enforcement. Parking in a space designated for disabled individuals without displaying a valid placard or plate can lead to immediate fines and even towing.
The fine amount varies by city or county but generally ranges from one hundred to five hundred dollars. In some cities, repeat offenses result in higher penalties.
Local governments can also impose additional charges on top of the state penalties, so the actual cost may be even higher than expected.
Why all of this matters
These permits are not just a convenience. They are essential for people with limited mobility to safely and practically access everyday locations like grocery stores, workplaces, and medical facilities.
Abusing the system not only risks serious legal trouble, it also makes life harder for those who genuinely rely on these accommodations. Whether you are applying for a permit or just trying to understand the rules, knowing how the system works can help avoid confusion or violations.
