§32-6-231. Distinctive special access or disability access windshield placard.

(a) Any person who submits to the license issuing official a completed special access parking or disability access parking application form approved by the Commissioner of Revenue which includes the physician's certification that he or she is an individual with a disability shall be issued one removable windshield placard displaying the International Symbol of Access thereby designating the driver of the vehicle or the passenger as being an individual with a disability.

(1) The removable windshield placard shall be prepared by the commissioner in conformity to Public Law 100-641 and rulemaking resulting therefrom.

(2) a. The removable windshield placard issued to the individual with a long-term disability shall expire after a maximum period of five years or any period less than five years to be designated by the commissioner. The placard shall clearly reveal the expiration date and shall be designed in accordance with Public Law 100-641 and rulemaking resulting therefrom to hang from the front windshield rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked in a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities. If the vehicle lacks a rearview mirror, the placard shall be placed on the dashboard.

b. The commissioner may require all persons with long-term disabilities to be recertified by a licensed physician before special access or disability access parking removable windshield placards may be reissued.

(3) In the event that an individual with a disability does not have the distinctive special access or disability access license plate as provided by Sections 40-12-300 to 40-12-302, inclusive, upon request, a second placard may be issued.

(b) The commissioner may make any rules or regulations necessary to administer this division.

(c) An individual with a temporary disability who submits to the license issuing official a completed special access or disability access application form approved by the commissioner which includes the physician's certification that he or she is a temporarily disabled individual, shall be issued one temporary removable windshield placard for a period valid up to six months.

(d) Any special access or disability access placard that is not in conformity with the federal system rule for handicapped parking, Public Law 100-641 and subsequent Rule 23 CFR § 1235, shall not be recognized as a valid handicapped parking credential.

(Acts 1981, No. 81-695, p. 1167, §2; Acts 1989, No. 89-856, p. 1706, §2; Act 2000-752, p. 1703, §1; Act 2000-811, p. 1935, §1.)