Are UK disabled parking badges valid in US?

[MrsGrumpy]

Does anyone know if the UK blue disabled parking badges are recognised in Florida? Both at the parks and round and about. Would make life a lot easier if they are!

 

[Wheelsie]

I think...THINK...I recall one of our UK disers Andrew saying using UK handi tags @ wdw is ok..

any other thoughts ya'll???

 

[teri]

I know they will honor the orange badges (is that what they call them? I seem to remember that being the name for the placard in the UK) at the parks and resorts, for parking in the accessible lot and getting free valet parking (plus tip), but I am not sure about offsite parking.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Mrs Grumpy.

Legally, they are not. Though I have parked at shopping malls with my orange badge back in the days before they all turned blue, without getting a ticket. I have asked police officers if it was OK to park and been told 'go ahead' though I suspect that might have been more of an agreement to turn a blind eye.

You will have no problem whatsoever at Disney Parks. I have always been given free valet parking at my Disney hotel, though I always tip anyway.

I have heard tales of people getting towed for the most trivial offences from private parking lots by private firms who operate along the lines of the fanous British wheelclamping firms.

To be absolutely safe, you can buy a temporary visitors 'disabled' placard at an office in Orlando. Sorry - don't have the address to hand, but Virgin Special Services can advise you.

Andrew

 

[SueM in MN]

I just saw the information about the motor vehicle office a few days ago.
Here's a link.

I agree it's not likely that you will have a problem while you park on Disney property, but watch off if you go offsite.

 

[MrsGrumpy]

Thanks for all the info., especially to Sue M for the link. I have emailed them directly, so hope to hear back soon.

 

[MrsGrumpy]

If anyone from the UK is interested, this is the reply I received from the tax office about using a blue badge:

"Reciprocity does not extend to out of country but we can issue a temporary disabled person parking permit placard not to exceed 90 days to you for use while you are here in the US. We need to have a copy of the out of country permit (front and back) showing the name of the disabled person and we our clerk is issuing the permit they will need to visually see a passport or comparable identification to verify ownership of the permit. You will be issued one permit up to 90 days and the fee is $15.00. Our locations are
listed on our website and we have a phone service center should you need assistance with directions upon arriving in Florida"

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for sharing the reply, Mrs Grumpy.

 

[SueM in MN]

in case anyone wonders whether this also applies to other states in the US, here's something from the Florida state law:

RECIPROCITY: Section 316.1958, Florida Statutes, provides that motor vehicles displaying a license plate or parking permit issued to a disabled person by any other state or district subject to laws of the United States shall be recognized as a valid plate or permit, allowing such vehicle the special parking privileges in Florida, provided such other state or district grants reciprocal recognition for disabled residents of this state. All of the United States have agreed to reciprocate.
Here's a link to the website it's from. When I did a search, I noticed that some provinces of Canada have reciprocal aggrements for handicapped parking with Florida, so Canadian residents should check with their province before they go to Florida.