Are you eligible for Handicap Plates and Disabled Placards in Massachusetts?
A healthcare provider needs to certify your eligibility requirements and provide your clinical diagnosis. Specifics that differ from the general eligibility guidelines include:
- You can’t walk 200 feet or more without assistance
- You’re legally blind, which certifies automatic loss of license
- You have chronic lung disease with forced expiratory volume (FEV) in 1 second is less than 1 liter
- You have severe arthritis
- You lost a limb or lost permanent use of a limb
What is the application process for Handicap Plates and Disabled Placards in Massachusetts?
You can get an application by going to your local Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Branch or visiting MassRMV.com.
The first page of the application is for you to fill out and sign with your information. Your health care provider then does the same on the second page.
Once you finish this quick application, you have the option of either bringing it in yourself or simply mailing it to the RMV Medical Affairs Office.
On-site address:
Medical Affairs/RMV Office
25 Newport Ave, Quincy MA 02171
Mailing address:
Medical Affairs/RMV
P.O. Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205
How long are the Handicap Plates and Disabled Placards Valid in Massachusetts?
Depending on the Handicap Parking Plate or Disabled Placard, temporary or permanent, the time range varies.
- Temporary Plates and Placards: valid for 2-24 months
- Permanent Plates and Placards: valid for 5 years
For your convenience, Permanent Plates and Placards will be automatically renewed. You just have to verify your address and you’re good to go.
Are there Massachusetts Disabled Veteran Plates?
Yes, these Disabled Veteran (DV) plates are accessible for one vehicle of any Massachusetts resident veteran. However, your impairment needs to be 60% service-connected as certified by the Veteran’s Administration (VA).
In 2012, about 2,400 Massachusetts veterans reported disability that was 50-60% service connected.
Similarly, you need to complete the Application for Disabled Parking Plates/Placards and submit the Disabled Veteran Plate letter issued by the VA.
If convenient parking isn’t enough, obtaining the Disabled Veteran Plate provides you with other benefits too, including:
- Obtaining a Driver’s License at no fee
- Registering the DV Plate for no fee
- No Sales Tax on the vehicle registered for the DV Plate holder (vehicle must be purchased on or after November 1, 2006)
- Exempted from the Excise Tax on that same vehicle
After enjoying the benefits of the Massachusetts Disabled Veterans Plate for 2 years, the plate just needs to be renewed. Similarly, you can appreciate the positives of Social Security Disability after filing a claim.
Can I report Handicap Parking Abuse?
Unfortunately, there are instances where Handicap Parking spaces, plates, or even, placards are taken advantage of by those who aren’t disabled. If reported, the abuser could be subject to fines, loss of Handicap Parking privileges or even license suspension in Massachusetts.
If you happen to see someone jogging to a handicap spot carrying a couple cases of water, there’s a chance they shouldn’t park there.
You can merely download, complete and sign the Massachusetts RMV Parking Abuse Complaint Form to report instances of parking abuse. When finished, you can mail the form to:
Registry of Motor Vehicles
PARKING ABUSE
P.O. Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205
Where are the Mass RMV Branch Offices?
Massachusetts RMV Branches are scattered throughout the state and they offer a variety of services. The services provided include:
- All license, registration and title transactions
- License plate returns
- Learner’s permit testing
- Road testing
- Suspension payments
- Purchase of E-Z Pass Transponders
However, some branches offer only a portion of the above services. If you’re curious for more information, don’t hesitate to visit MassRMV.com or call 1-800-858-3926.
- Attleboro
75 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 - Boston
630 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Braintree
10 Plain Street, Braintree, MA 02184
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Brockton
490 Forest Ave, Brockton, MA 02301
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Chicopee
1011 Chicopee Street, Chicopee, MA 01013
Hours: Monday -Friday 9:00-5:00 - Danvers
Liberty Tree Mall, 100 Independence Way, Danvers, MA 01923
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 - Easthampton
116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton, MA 01027
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 - Fall River
203 Plymouth Avenue, Fall River, MA 02721
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Greenfield
18 Miner Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
Hours: Monday -Friday 9:00-5:00 - Haverhill
4 Summer Street, Haverhill, MA 01830
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00-4:00 - Lawrence
73 Winthrop Avenue, Lawrence, MA 01843
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Leominster
80 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA 01453
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Lowell
77 Middlesex Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Martha’s Vineyard
11 A Street, Edgartown, MA 02539
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 - Milford
14 Beach Street, Milford, MA 01757
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Nantucket
16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 - Natick
Massachusetts Turnpike Natick Eastbound Service Center, Natick, MA 01760
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00-4:00 - New Bedford
278 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - North Adams
33 Main Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-1:00 and 2:00-3:00 - Pittsfield
333 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 - Plymouth
40 Industrial Park Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00-4:00 - Revere
9c Everett Street, Revere, MA 02151
Hours Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Roslindale
4210 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02131
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 - South Yarmouth
1084 Route 28, South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Southbridge
6 Larochelle Way, Southbridge, MA 01550
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 - Springfield
165 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Taunton
1 Washington Street, Taunton, MA 02780
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Watertown
Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Hours: M-W 9-5, Thursday 10-6, Fri 9-5 - Wilmington
355 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA 01887
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00 - Worcester
611 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-6:00, Friday 9:00-5:00
Applying for Handicap Parking Plates and Placards can benefit and improve your lifestyle. No doubt. There are more options out there to ease your life with impairments. And filing a Social Security Disability Claim can do just that. Find out if you qualify and learn more here.
