TITLE 9: VEHICLE CODE DIVISION 5: RULES OF THE ROAD
§ 5653. Application for Special Identification Placard; Expiration and Renewal of Placards; Temporary Special Identification Placards. (a) (1) Any disabled person may apply to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for issuance of a special identification placard that may be displayed for parking purposes on the dashboard of a vehicle being used for the purpose of transporting the disabled person to whom the placard is issued. It is the intent of the legislature to encourage the use of these special identification placards because they provide law enforcement officers a readily recognizable symbol for distinguishing vehicles qualified for the parking privilege accorded persons with disabilities. (2) The placard shall be the size and color determined by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, shall bear the international symbol of access commonly known as the “wheelchair symbol” which is also referred to as “the international symbol for barrier-free environments” and is described in general form in 9 CMC § 5657, shall include on the placard instructions for its lawful use, and shall incorporate within those instructions a summary of the penalties for its unlawful use. (3) The Bureau of Motor Vehicles may establish procedures for the issuance and renewal of the placards. The placards shall have a fixed expiration date of June 30 every two years, except that the initial placards issued by the bureau shall have a fixed expiration date of June 30, 1995. As used in this subsection, “year” means the period between the inclusive dates of July 1 through June 30. (4) Except as provided in subsection (a)(5) of this section, no person is eligible for more than one placard at any time. (5) Organizations and agencies involved in the transportation of persons with disabilities may apply for a placard for each vehicle used for the purpose of transporting disabled persons. (b) Prior to issuing any qualified person with a disability a special identification placard, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall require the applicant to submit a certificate signed by a physician, surgeon or other qualified medical practitioner substantiating the disability. The disability of any person who has lost, or has lost use of, one or more lower extremities or both hands, or who has significant limitation in the use of one or both lower extremities, may also be certified by a licensed chiropractor. The blindness of any applicant shall be certified by a licensed physician or surgeon who specializes in diseases of the eye, or by licensed optometrist. (c) Any person who is temporarily disabled for a period of less than six months may apply for a temporary special identification placard as prescribed in subsection (a) of this section. (1) Such temporary special identification placard shall be issued for the anticipated period of the disability only or, if the disability is not expected to be permanent but the time during which the applicant will be disabled is indefinite or difficult to determine, for a maximum period of six months. (2) The temporary special identification placard may be made of paper or any appropriate paper product or other product which may be marked with
TITLE 9: VEHICLE CODE DIVISION 5: RULES OF THE ROAD
permanent ink or other non-erasable marking. The expiration date of such temporary special identification placard shall be clearly marked on the face of the temporary special identification placard. (3) The uniform placard expiration date provided for in subsection (a)(3) of this section shall not apply to temporary special identification placards issued pursuant to this subsection (c) of this section. (4) If, at the expiration date of any temporary special identification placard, the applicant is still temporarily disabled, another temporary special identification placard may be issued upon the same terms and conditions as the original temporary special identification placard. Such application for another temporary special identification placard may be made at any time beginning two weeks before the expiration of the applicant’s current temporary special identification placard. (5) For purposes of this subsection (c) of this section, a recurring disability shall be considered permanent and not a temporary disability. As used herein, “recurring disability” means any disability which affects the special identification placard applicant regularly but intermittently, and on a sufficiently frequent basis that, in the opinion of an appropriate health care practitioner, qualifies the applicant as a person with disabilities within the meaning of this article. Such opinion shall be certified to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles as provided in subsection (b) of this section. (d) Upon the death of the disabled person, the special identification placard shall be returned to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 30 days. (e) Upon application by a person with a disability, each municipality shall issue special license plates for the vehicle registered in the applicant’s name if the vehicle is primarily used to transport that person. The fee for the issuance of special license plates shall not exceed the fee charged for similar license plates for the same class vehicle. Source: PL 8-35, § 5 (§ 5652); (b) amended and (e) added by PL 17-65 § 2(b) (December 20, 2011).