§ 29-A §521 — Registration; disability registration plates

1.
Definition.
"Person with a disability" means a person whose disability limits or impairs the ability to walk, as determined and certified by a licensed physician, physician associate, nurse practitioner or registered nurse, to the extent that the person:
2.
Disability registration plates.
Disability registration plates must bear the International Symbol of Access, which must be in a color that contrasts with the background and is the same size as the letters or numbers on the plate. The Secretary of State may issue disability registration plates to the following:
3.
Removable windshield placards.
The Secretary of State may issue a removable windshield placard to a person with a disability or an organization or agency in this State that transports persons with disabilities. A removable windshield placard is a 2-sided permit designed to hang from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is not in motion. The following provisions apply to placards.
4.
Motorcycle.
A person with a disability who has registered a motorcycle may be issued a disability plate as a registration plate. The registration plate must bear the International Symbol of Access, which must be in a color that contrasts with the background and must be the same size as the letters or numbers on the plate.
5.
Application; issuance.
The following provisions apply to an application for and the issuance of a disability plate or placard.
6.
Temporary placards.
The Secretary of State may issue a temporary placard to a person who is temporarily disabled. A temporary placard is a 2-sided permit designed to hang from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is not in motion. The following provisions apply to temporary placards.
6-A.
Parking permit.
The Secretary of State shall create a 21-day parking permit for a person with a disability to be used while a person is waiting to receive a disability registration plate or placard and may appoint a licensed physician, physician associate, nurse practitioner or registered nurse as an agent authorized solely to issue such a permit. The Secretary of State shall determine by rule qualifications and requirements for an agent authorized under this subsection. The 21-day parking permit must be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State by rule and convey the privileges and restrictions authorized under this section. The 21-day parking permit must be displayed in a manner so that it may be viewed from the front of the vehicle whenever the vehicle is parked in a parking space for a person with a disability. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
7.
Registration and placard fees.
There is no additional registration fee for disability plates or placards.
8.
Violation.
9.
Compliance.
Any person or organization issued a placard or plates pursuant to former Title 29, section 252 or 252-C must reapply, according to the procedures set forth in this section, by January 1, 2001. In the case of individuals or organizations currently in possession of disability plates or a placard who successfully reapply, the placard or plates expire on the date specified by the placard or plates.
9-A.
Enforcement of disability parking restrictions.
A law enforcement officer may enforce disability parking restrictions. The State Police shall enforce disability parking restrictions at service facilities established on the Maine Turnpike and on the interstate highway system in the State. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person parks in a parking space designated and clearly marked for persons with physical disabilities and has not been issued or is not transporting a person who has been issued a disability registration plate or a removable windshield placard pursuant to this section or section 523 or a disability registration plate or placard issued by another state. A person commits a traffic infraction if that person parks in an access aisle, regardless of whether the person has been issued a disability registration plate or removable placard. A person who violates this subsection is subject to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500. Testimony under oath with clear photographic evidence from a person with a disability or the driver of a vehicle transporting a person with a disability that a vehicle was parked in violation of this subsection is prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, "person with a disability" has the same meaning as in subsection 1.
9-B.
Registered owner's liability for vehicle illegally parked in disability parking space or access aisle.
A person who is a registered owner of a vehicle at the time that vehicle is involved in a violation of subsection 9‑A commits a traffic infraction. For purposes of this subsection, "registered owner" includes a person issued a dealer or transporter registration plate.
10.
Effective date.
11.
Violation.
A person other than a person with a disability or an organization transporting a person with a disability using a set of disability registration plates or a windshield placard commits a traffic infraction and is subject to a penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $500. The disability registration plates or removable windshield placard may be suspended for improper use. A 2nd or subsequent violation of this subsection is a Class E crime for which the fine under this subsection may be doubled.
12.
Parking without charge.
A vehicle that exhibits a permanent placard, a temporary placard or a disability registration plate may park at a parking area that is not a parking facility as defined in Title 30‑A, section 5401, subsection 5 without a charge and may park a length of time that does not exceed twice the limit otherwise allowed.
13.
Altering placard.
A person who alters or causes to be altered the expiration date of a disability placard issued pursuant to this section commits a traffic infraction and is subject to a penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $500.
14.
Disabled veterans parking.
A person qualifying for special designation plates pursuant to section 523, subsection 1 or 2 may request disabled veterans parking registration plates.

Legislative History

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 482, §A4 (RPR). PL 1995, c. 645, §§A4,5 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 673, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 776, §§18,19 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 470, §6 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 544, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 35, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 77, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 151, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 361, §11 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 431, §§1-4 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 633, §2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 433, §7 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 433, §28 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 528, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 383, §13 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 703, §§12-14 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 143, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 598, §5 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 23, §1 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 117, §1 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. C, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 496, §10 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 52, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 473, §10 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 648, §1 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 533, §1 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 316, §3 (REV).