Driving and Aging

Jessica Foley, an attorney in Quincy, has a recent post about driving when your mobility is impaired.  While there are sometimes when physical issues that make driving unsafe, there are many times when you can still drive even though you have difficulty getting around.  Jessica lists the criteria for obtaining a handicap placard, which can make your errands easier by giving you a parking space closer to your destination.  You must be a resident of Massachusetts and must have your doctor, chiropractor or nurse practitioner certify that you meet one of the following conditions:

• Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
• Cannot walk without the assistance of another person, prosthetic, cane or crutches.
• Have a lung disease such that your respiratory expiratory volume is less than 1 liter.
• Use portable oxygen.
• Have a Class III cardiac condition.
• Have a  Class IV cardiac condition (if you have this the registry requires you to surrender your license, in this instance you will be issued a placard for the motor vehicles you are riding in).
• Have Class III functional arthritis.
• Have Class IV functional arthritis.
• Have Stage II anatomic arthritis.
• Have Stage IV anatomic arthritis.
• Are legally blind (again a situation where you would surrender your license and would be issued a placard for the vehicles in which you are a passenger).
• Have lost one or more limbs.
• Have permanently lost use of one or more limbs.

For more information on obtaining a disability plate or placard, visit the RMV Website.