What the statutes mean

An individual with a disability that limits or impairs their ability to walk may request a special ID card that will entitle them to special parking privileges for their car. The disabled individual must pick up an application from the department of motor vehicles and you may complete the form for them.

On the application for the special ID card you will have to state whether the patient’s disability is permanent or temporary. If the disability is temporary you will have to give your opinion as to how long you believe the disability will exist. The special ID card entitles the disabled patient to:

• Ignore paying parking meters when the meter allows parking for one-half hour or more unless there is a sign indicating a limitation for disabled drivers.

• Ignore time limitations on parking in any street or parking lot that is owned or leased by a city or county unless there is a sign indicating a limitation for disabled drivers.

• Park, stop, or stand their vehicle on any street, highway, or parking facility where there is a sign indicating the space is reserved for a person with physical disabilities.

A patient that fraudulently obtains, alters or lends their special identification card is subject to a fine of $200 to $500.

Statute excerpts

343.51 (1) Any person who qualifies for registration plates of a special design under s. 341.14 (1), (1a), (1m) or (1q) or any other person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk may request from the department a special identification card that will entitle any motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, parked by, or under the direction of, the person, or a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, operated by or on behalf of the organization when used to transport such a person, to parking privileges under s. 346.50 (2), (2a) and (3). The department shall issue the card at a fee to be determined by the department, upon submission by the applicant, if the applicant is an individual rather than an organization, of a statement from a physician licensed to practice medicine in any state…. , from a chiropractor licensed to practice in any state that the person is a person with a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk. The statement shall state whether the disability is permanent or temporary and, if temporary, the opinion of the physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, chiropractor or practitioner as to the duration of the disability. The department shall issue the card upon application by an organization on a form prescribed by the department if the department believes that the organization meets the requirements under this subsection.

343.51(1m) The form for application for a special identification card under sub. (1) or another form provided by the department shall include a place for an applicant or special identification card holder who is a natural person to designate that his or her name, street address, post-office box number and 9-digit extended zip code may not be disclosed as provided under s. 343.235, a statement indicating the effect of making such a designation and a place for an applicant or special identification card holder who has made a designation under this subsection to reverse the designation.

343.51(2)(a) The department shall prescribe the form and size of identification cards issued under this section and shall promulgate rules regarding the issuance and use of the cards. The identification cards shall be designed and displayed so as to enable law enforcement officers to determine that the vehicle, when parked, is entitled to parking privileges under s. 346.50 (2), (2a) and (3), but shall not be unnecessarily

conspicuous when the vehicle is operated. The department may establish an expiration date for any special identification card issued prior to July 1, 1994. Except as provided in par. (b), any special identification card issued after June 30, 1994, shall be valid for 4 years.

343.51(2)(b) The department shall issue special identification cards which are valid for limited periods of time if the physician’s statement required by sub. (1) indicates that the applicant’s disability is temporary.

343.51(2)(c) At least 30 days prior to the expiration of the card, the department shall mail a renewal application to the last-known address of each identification card holder. The application shall include all of the information required for issuance of a special identification card under sub. (1). The fee for a renewal identification card shall be the fee established by the department under sub. (1). Except as provided in par. (b), each card shall be valid for 4 years.

343.51(3) The department shall disseminate information to all applicants for a special identification card under sub. (1) relating to the parking privileges granted under s. 346.50 (2), (2a) or (3) and their right to request enforcement of s. 346.505.

Unlawful use of special identification cards.

343.52(1) Any person or organization who does any of the following may be required to forfeit not more than $200:

343.52(1)(a) Lends to another a special identification card issued under s. 343.51, knowing that the person borrowing the card is not authorized by law to use it; or

343.52(1)(b) Displays a special identification card issued under s. 343.51 upon a vehicle which is not authorized by law to have the card displayed thereon.

343.52(1m) Any person or organization that fraudulently procures, alters or uses a special identification card issued under s. 343.51 or reproduces by any means whatever a special identification card shall forfeit not less than $200 nor more than $500.

343.52(2) The department shall cancel the special identification card of any person or organization who improperly uses a card as described in sub. (1) or who reproduces or fraudulently procures, alters or uses a card under sub. (1m). The department may order a person or organization whose identification card has expired or has been canceled to surrender the card to the department. The department may take possession of any expired identification card or any identification card required to be canceled or may direct any traffic officer to take possession thereof and return it to the department.