Hartsville Police Department: Driving School – Handicap Parking and Placards
We’ve been getting a few complaints and questions about Handicap Placards recently, and have stepped up enforcement. In order to avoid getting a parking ticket for a handicap spot, follow state law 56-3-1950.
1. Make sure when you park in a designated space, that the person who the placard was issued to is riding in the car. They do not have to go into the store, but they at least need to be in the car with you.
2. Display the placard correctly. If you have a hanging placard instead of a plate, it needs to hang from the mirror or be placed on the dash near the driver’s door. It must be displayed with the date and photograph facing out, so the information can be read from outside the windshield. Placing the tag backwards or upside down where the information can’t be read could still result in a ticket being issued. If you forgot your placard at home, you’ll need to park in a regular space.
3. Make sure your placard is not expired. The red temporary placards expire after about 6 months, and the blue ones expire every few years. If your tag is expired, you need to get a new one from the DMV. You cannot use an expired placard.
4. Van spots. Spots marked “VAN” are special handicapped spots with additional space for loading and unloading mobility devices and using ramps. Leave these spots for specially equipped vans.
5. Just in case you are tempted to make your own placard at home, or sell a placard you no longer need, the fine for that is up to 30 days in jail and $1000.