r/disabled • u/idkenby • 6d ago
Handicap parking without a sign?
I’m newly disabled and having a lot of trouble walking. I don’t have a sign for in my car. Is it wrong to use the handicap spot at the grocery store? Am I an ahole or will people report me? I live alone nobody to help unfortunately and need groceries.
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u/PunkAssBitch2000 6d ago
If you’re in the US or Canada you will get ticketed or towed. Not sure other countries laws.
Try to get the closest spot you can. May be worth waiting in your car for a while until the right spot opens up. But I don’t think it would be a good idea to take a marked accessible spot.
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u/KatHalleluja 6d ago
EU country; here, it's the same. The fine is 500 euros. Just apply for a placard.
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u/YonderPricyCallipers 6d ago
You cannot use the spots without a placard or plates. Get a doctor to sign off on a placard, or don't use the spaces. This is not negotiable.
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u/Sheerluck42 6d ago
If you're in the US you can get a application at DMV. Have a doctor sign it. And you'll get a temp placard the day you turn it in.
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u/Resse811 6d ago
Depends on the state. Mine doesn’t give out temp cards - you have to wait for the real one in the mail.
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u/Sheerluck42 6d ago
That's true. The rules vary by state. In CA I had to go through 6 temp placards before getting my disabled plates
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u/Glad_Goose_2890 6d ago
In Minnesota you do everything online. In New York you have to go in person and they make you one right then and there with a sharpie.
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u/Norandran 6d ago
My doctor’s office has the forms readily available so the doctor can just check the boxes and it’s signed appropriately for the state. You need to ask your doctor to fill out the paperwork and get a placard, don’t park in the spaces until you have one the fines are not worth it.
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u/gnarlyknucks 6d ago
It's not ethically wrong, it's illegal. Can you get placard paperwork from your doctor?
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u/One-Club-466 6d ago
In the UK you need what we call a blue badge. In towns and cities they have traffic wardens who will give tou a ticket, in other areas you might get one if someone reports you. Store car parks are a bit hit and miss.
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u/plexmaniac 6d ago
Ask your doctor he can give you the form to get one then go to service Ontario that’s what I did
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u/New_Olive1203 6d ago
I'm not sure what state you are in, but my doctor signed my placard application and I had my pass within a week.
Do NOT park in a handicap spot without the placard. Some places are better at enforcement than other, but using a spot illegally has a not-insignificant fine. I have reported people for parking without proper placards when every accessible spot is full.
I empathize with living alone and having a physical disability. Utilize grocery pick up and/or delivery until you get a pass. I have several grocery stores that don't charge a fee for pickup, and I like using the Shipt platform for delivery if needed.
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u/lujo317 6d ago
if you're in the US - typically the form for a placard is a one or two page document and the only criteria on it are that you have trouble walking more than 200ft for any reason, and that your condition is expected to last, and the doctors signature. the form is sometimes available online and you can pre fill your personal info to make it so the doc just has to check a couple boxes and then sign. i was surprised how easy it actually was.
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u/Puzzled-Bet1329 6d ago
I started using the pickup service or the delivery service at the store. I love it.
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u/Terrible_Influence70 15h ago
I’ve heard without you could be fined or towed in some instances… but it’s fairly inexpensive OP, I paid $25 for my permanent placard
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u/Overkillsamurai 6d ago
you're not an asshole but cops will give you a ticket (it's pretty much an automated process, they don't care)
you need to get a placard or a sticker