June 9, 2009 — When the Motor Vehicle Bureau took over issuing handicapped parking permits in April, Director Jerris Browne put what he called a "very, very simple" new system in place.
Residents first pick up an application at the Motor Vehicle Bureau office for $2. They then have their doctor fill out the form, then return it to the Motor Vehicle Bureau and get their permit. It's good for a year and costs $10, Browne said.
People who have existing permits issued by the Police Department in conjunction with the Human Services Department may use them until they expire, Browne said.
Browne expects applications to be available via the Internet "pretty soon," which will further simplify the process.
Permits are issued for permanent and temporary conditions, indicated on the application form and specified by the physician.
If the condition is permanent, the applicant can opt to get a permit good for up to five years. Whether applicants want a permit for one, two, three, four, or five years is up to them.
When asked about tourists who hold handicapped parking permits from their home state, Browne said he would amend the bureau's policy to include them.
"I've not come upon this situation yet," he said.
After giving it some thought, he said that tourists with handicapped parking permits should stop by the bureau to get a temporary permit good for the length of their stay in the territory. Browne said he would have to figure out what the price would be.
Tickets for parking in a handicapped parking space without a permit run $1,000.
For more information, call the Motor Vehicle Bureau at 774-4268 on St. Thomas, 713-4268 on St. Croix or 776-6262 on St. John.
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