(코리아타운뉴스) Borrowing Disabled Parking Decals is Illegal

Violators could be fined from $250 to $1,000

The California Department of Motor Vehicles are cracking down on drivers who abuse the availability of disabled parking spaces. The DMV first chose the Glendale Galleria to enforce its crackdown. The DMV employee issued tickets to 42 out of 280 drivers who parked in the disabled spaces at the shopping mall.


▶ Abuse in use of disabled parking decals is serious
The DMV revealed that drivers are repeatedly abusing the use of the Disabled Person Parking Placard (DPPP). The DMV conducted an investigation at 270 different parking structures over three years in and around Los Angeles.

As a result, 2,019 drivers are now due to pay a fine for violating the law.
The DMV added that drivers who violate the law by occupying the disabled parking spaces could be fined from $250 to $1,000.

▶ Able-bodied drivers disguised as the disabled
The DMV has created a taskforce team to identify the drivers who are abusing their use of the DPPP. The mission of the project is simple. It has started to ensure that the underprivileged members of the community can benefit from what is available for their needs.

The DMV pointed out that many violators of this law ▶ make false claims to apply for the DPPP ▶ borrow the DPPP from someone else ▶ buy the DPPP illegally. Recently, the DPPPs are commonly sold on online shopping platforms, such as Ebay and Craigslist. The DMV explained that false use of the DPPP could result in confiscation of the car itself.


▶ Applying for the DPPP and its benefits
The bearers of the DPPP are allowed to park in ▶ spaces designed for the disabled ▶ green lines by the pedestrian walkways ▶ metered parking spaces at no cost ▶ any parking space within the driver’s residential area. The DPPP should only be used by the driver. Borrowing it from family or friends is illegal.

The DPPPs are rather easy to obtain. Any driver with a doctor’s approval can apply for it. The applications are assessed based on the driver’s disability and mobility. Physical discomfort, obstructed vision and other health-related diseases are likely to make the driver eligible for the DPPP.

The applicants can mail the application or sign up at any of the DMV offices. A driver with visible physical discomfort can visit the DMV and apply for the DPPP without having to get a doctor’s approval. There is no additional charge for the application.

The DPPPs break down to four different categories---a permanent parking placard, six-month temporary parking placard, 30-day traveler’s parking placard and 90-day non-resident traveler’s parking placard.

Anyone who sees violators of the law can report via the DMV website (www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/846a5018-5171-4397-a204-486bf62c45ca/inv172a.pdf?MOD=AJPERES)









By Hyoungjae Kim