Texas Two-Step: DV Plates and Handicap Parking - A Hilarious Guide (Because Parking Shouldn't Be a Drag)
Howdy, partner! Got yourself some shiny new Disabled Veteran (DV) plates on your truck? Maybe they've got a cool saying like "Vietnam Veteran: I fought for your right to park close." (Although, let's be honest, sometimes you just gotta fight for a decent parking spot in general these days.) But here's the thing, hero: can those snazzy DV plates snag you a primo spot in handicap parking? Let's break it down Texas-style, with more twists than a rattlesnake tango.
The Old Days: Parking Paradise (or Was It?)
Back in the wild west (well, pre-2022 in Texas), a DV plate was your golden ticket to handicap parking. See a spot close to the door? Bam! Yours for the taking. No need for a fancy placard or anything. It was a simpler time, like waiting in line for the new iPhone… except with fewer fistfights (hopefully).
The Great Parking Shakeup: Buckle Up, Buttercup!
Hold on to your hats, folks, because in 2022, things got more complicated than a Texas two-step with two left feet. The law decided that not all disabilities are created equal (when it comes to parking, at least). While DV plates are still a badge of honor, they don't automatically grant handicap parking privileges anymore.
Whoa, Nelly! Does that mean your veteran status gets revoked if you can't park close? Of course not! But to use those handicap spots, you gotta have one of these two things:
- A disability placard: This is that little hangy-tag thing with the international symbol of accessibility (think wheelchair on steroids). You gotta get a doctor to sign off on it, proving your need for close parking.
- New DV plates with the International Symbol of Access (ISA): Texas decided the old plates just weren't fancy enough. So, now you can get DV plates with the ISA symbol built right in. These new plates are the golden ticket once again.
The Bottom Line: Don't Get Towed, Dude!
Here's the short and sweet:
- DV plates alone (without ISA symbol): No handicap parking for you (unless you have a placard).
- DV plates with ISA symbol: Park like a champion!
- Got a placard: Park wherever those fancy symbols allow!
Remember: Always check the signs around the parking spot. Some might have additional requirements, like a disabled parking permit hanging from your rearview mirror.
Now you're a parking pro! Go forth and conquer those close-in spots, but remember, with great parking privileges comes great responsibility. Don't be a knucklehead and park in a handicap spot if you don't qualify. Let's keep those spaces for folks who truly need them.
Happy parking, partner!
