United States of America
Part 1: Driving with a Disability
Are there any laws or regulations in your country that restrict whether people with disabilities can obtain a driving licence?
Yes, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals who are disabled from being discriminated against – including on the road. It’s because of this law that a state’s Departmentof Motor Vehicles cannot deny a driver’s license to someone based only on their disability. This law also ensures that public spaces have disabled parking spaces to assist those that require them for access. If you have one of the following conditions, then you can still drive a car safely – even if you use a wheelchair: Absent limbs, reduced limb function, spinal cord injuries (depending on the severity and location), mobility issues due to degenerative disorders, disease, heart attack, or stroke, muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain injury, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia or hemiplegia, neuromuscular disease. Disabled drivers must be at least 16 years old and, like other drivers, must pass a test to get their license.
Are there any restrictions on the type of vehicle or adaptation to controls that can be driven by a person with a disability?
Yes, each state has its own set of rules when it comes to laws surrounding disability and motor vehicles, but in general, if you have a disability, then you legally must make your state’s DMV aware of it. They may then issue you a restricted license based on limited mobility, hearing, or vision. You may also need to make modifications to your vehicle in order to operate it legally on the road.
If you have answered yes to Question 4 above, do the same restrictions apply to a person with a disability visiting your country in their own or a rented vehicle? Please give details.
N/A
Please give details of the section responsible in your Ministry for driver licensing and vehicle adaptations for people with disabilities. Please also include any websites which give details of the official national policy.
Name of Department/Ministry: NHTSA
Phone number for queries: 1-888-327-4236
website (s): https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/adapted-vehicles
Part 2: Parking Cards for people with a disability
Does your country have a national scheme of parking concessions for people with a disability?
Yes
Which categories of people with a disability are eligible for the parking card?
Wheelchair users, People with walking difficulty, People with vision impairment, People with mental health issues, learning disabilities or other hidden disabilities (please describe)
Other (please specify): Each state will have a list of specific criteria regarding the qualifying conditions for a disabled parking permit. The most common conditions that qualify you for a permit include: A condition or disease that limits your ability to walk; Impaired mobility such as the use of a brace, cane, or wheelchair; Documents vision issues such as partial sightedness or low vision Loss of the use of one or both hands or legs Lung disease Heart disease Other conditions may qualify you, so make sure to check with your local DMV to find out more.
Are there parking spaces reserved for people with a disability?
Yes
If you have answered yes, where are the reserved parking spaces?
N/A
What concessions does the parking card give people with a disability?
Other (please specify):
These permits, also referred to as disabled placards, tags, or badges, allow disabled drivers to park in spaces reserved for those with a disability. You may also be able to access metered parking without paying or be allowed to park in time-limited spaces for longer than posted. Check with your state’s DMV to find out what your disabled parking permit entitles you to.
Are there any regions or cities in your country that do not recognise the parking card, or which have their own, different system?
Yes, each state has its own conditions.
Are the same concessions available to individuals with a disability visiting your country?
Yes
If you have answered yes to Question 13 above, please tell us if there is a formal system of reciprocal recognition of parking cards from other countries?
No
If you have answered yes to Question 14 above please tell us:
Which countries' parking cards are recognised (please list):
The requirements for disabled permits for visiting motorists vary from state to state. In some cases an out of state or international permit is sufficient; in others a local, temporary permit is required. Where applicable, it is worth checking with your car hire company or contacting a local tourist office representing your destination. Many states’ Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) now provide information and/or application forms on their websites.
Are there minimum dimensions for the size of a parking space reserved for a person with a disability?
Yes, at least 96 in (2440 mm) wide.
Please give details of the section in your ministry responsible for parking concessions for people with a disability
phone number for queries 800-514-0301 (Voice)
website(s) https://www.ada.gov/
Please include a link to any websites which give details of the official national policy on parking concessions for people with a disability.
The website for official national policy on parking - https://drhandicap.com/insights/can-drive-disability/
Part 3: Hiring a car if you have a disability
Does your country have any laws which require hire car companies to make adapted vehicles available for people with disabilities to rent?
Yes.
Where are such vehicles available? Please tick all that apply
At major airports, At city centre hire car outlets
Please give details of the section responsible in your ministry for laws/policies on adapted hire cars.
N/A
Part 4: Further Information
Please give contact details (email, phone, weblinks) for any sections or organisations which have supplied information for your response to this survey if they are not already listed.
N/A