Section 308-96B-030. Permanent placard and individual with disabilities special license plates for organizations.

(1) When can a qualifying organization use disabled person license plates or parking placards? Qualifying organizations may only use disabled parking license plates or parking placards when transporting any person who meets the criteria under RCW 46.16.381(1).

(2) How does an organization qualify for individual with disabled parking license plates and permanent parking placards? The organization must:

(a) Service participants/clients who meet the criteria in RCW 46.16.381(3); and

(b) Report the status of each permanent individual with disabilities parking placard or disabled parking license plate to the department by April 30th each year.

(3) How does a qualifying organization apply for disabled parking license plates and placards? The organization must submit a completed individual with disabilities parking privileges organization application with appropriate documentation as indicated on the application.

(4) When can a qualifying organization use disabled parking license plates or placards? Qualifying organizations can only use disabled parking license plates or placards when transporting persons who meet the criteria for an individual with disabilities.

(5) What can a qualifying organization receive when approved for parking privileges?

(a) Disabled parking license plates can be issued for vehicles registered to the organization, which regularly transport persons who have qualified or would qualify for this parking privilege; or

(b) Parking placard(s) can be used only when the vehicle in which they are displayed is transporting persons who have or would qualify for the disabled parking privilege.

An organization may receive up to ninety-nine placards, or disabled parking license plates can be issued to vehicles licensed in the name of the organization if used primarily for transporting persons who have or would qualify for the parking privileges. The department may approve exceptions.

(6) Where does a qualifying organization obtain individual with disabilities parking placard(s) or disabled parking license plates? A qualifying organization can obtain disabled parking placard(s) and disabled parking license plates at most Washington vehicle licensing offices.

(7) Is a qualifying organization issued an identification card? No.

(8) When do the disabled parking license plates or placard(s) for organizations expire? The parking placard(s) expires five years from the date of issuance, on the last day of the month specified on the placard. Example: If the placard is marked to expire in May 2008, it expires May 31, 2008.

Note:	License plates also carry the expiration of your vehicle registration and must be renewed annually.

(9) When are the disabled parking license plates and/or placard(s) no longer valid? The individual with disabled parking license plates are no longer valid when:

(a) The plates/placard(s) expire;

(b) The privilege expires;

(c) The vehicle is no longer being used for the purpose of transporting individuals with disabilities;

(d) The disabled parking license plates/placard(s) have been canceled by department administrative action;

(e) The organization no longer qualifies;

(f) The organization's business license is canceled or expires;

(g) If the privilege was issued in error; or

(h) If the organization fails to return the annual report by April 30th.

(10) How does an organization replace placards or disabled parking license plates if they become lost, mutilated, destroyed, or stolen? The organization must complete and sign a statement explaining what happened to the placards or plates and pay replacement fees. Replacement permanent parking placards or disabled parking license plates will be issued indicating the original expiration date. This voids the previously issued permanent placards or plates.

Note:	If the license plate has been reported as stolen or if the department record indicates the vehicle has been stolen, the same number/letter combination will not be issued. This is a law enforcement issue and is for the protection of the public.

(11) How does an organization renew its permanent disabled parking placard(s)? The department will send a renewal notice to the organization before the privilege expires. The organization must submit the completed and signed renewal notice or a new application. Upon approval of the completed and signed renewal notice or application, the department will issue new placards.

(12) Does an organization qualify for disabled parking license plate tabs? No.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.381. WSR 06-19-079, § 308-96B-030, filed 9/19/06, effective 10/20/06.]

RCW 46.16.381. WSR 06-19-079, § 308-96B-030, filed 9/19/06, effective 10/20/06.