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Old 12 Aug 07, 01:20 PM  
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Lightbulb Disabled Parking

August 2007 - UK Blue badges are no longer accepted for parking in disabled bays in Florida.
There is no debate needed - if you wish to comply with the law you must have a valid Florida temporary disabled parking tag.


Orlando Tourist Information Bureau explains it clearly here.

The tag looks like this and should hang from the rear view mirror when you are parked, there is a sticker attached with the expiry date


Apply by email
Osceola County Tax Collector
Tel: (407) 742-3879
Fax: (407) 892-8076[/B]

send an email to the following:

TaxCollectorTPL@osceola.org

with your travel dates, the name and address of the person with the entitlement and attach scanned copies of their blue badge (both sides) and their passport details. You will get a reply asking you to call to make the $15 fee payment plus a $2 processing fee by credit card.
Please do not email your credit card details as email correspondence is public record in Florida.
They will confirm by email the date your tag will be processed and sent taking account of your travel dates, it should take 5-8 days to arrive by mail.

Apply in person
This can be applied for in person at any of the issuing Tax Collectors offices on production of the UK blue badge (they will make copies of your documents to hold on file), photo ID and ID bearing the applicant's home address (note UK passports do not include address information so you will need another form of ID such as a drivers licence or utility bill to confirm this) and a $15 fee which can be cash, travellers cheque or credit card.

You can find the nearest office for your county below and tags are valid in all counties in the state of Florida.
Orange County
Seminole County
(includes one near Sanford airport)
Osceola County
Office hours are 8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri.

Apply by mail
Thanks to SimonV for this info and his hard work in clarifying the regulations with the authorities in Orlando
British visitors CAN now apply, officially and properly, in advance, by mail for the temporary disabled parking permit.

The Osceola CVB have realised it was a confusing situation and, as they are a government body like the local tax office, have liaised directly with their head tax office to authorise written requests, that will then send the necessary permit back by return mail.

It ideally needs to be sent by certified mail (i.e. so that someone signs for it on receipt at the tax office), and it must include

1) Copy of your UK disabled badge (both sides)
2) Copy of your photo ID page from your passport
3) Money order for $15 payable to Osceola County Tax Collector
4) Name, UK address and travel dates

send it to:

Tag Department
Osceola Tax Collector
2501 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
Kissimmee
Florida 34744
USA

The phone number there is 407 742 4000 and fax is 407 742 3995.

You should allow for at least 4 weeks for the process to be completed.
Here is the official document stating the regulations and requirements:

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A TEMPORARY PARKING PERMIT BY A CITIZEN OF ANOTHER COUNTRY:
Administratively, a temporary disabled parking permit may be issued to a citizen of another country who is here in a visitor status. The following must be verified:
• A copy of the out-of-country parking permit. If the permit has two sides, copy both sides.
• Visually see a passport or comparable identification to verify ownership of the out-of country parking permit. A Florida driver license or ID card is not required.

NOTE: One valid temporary parking permit may be issued for up to 6 months but 90 days is usual. The fee is $15. A second permit issued to the same person within a year will be issued free of charge.

PS: Here is some additional info supplied by the Osceola County CVB:

1) The Osceola Tax Collector pays the postage fee for the mailing from the US to the UK. UK applicants do not have to provide an extra fee for postage.
2) They suggest to get the application in 4 weeks prior to the trip. The office has a 1-2 day turnaround on the applications but they said to allow for the extra time just in case.
3) They require a U.S. money order for $15 made to the Osceola County Tax Collector. Applicants can pay by credit card. They ask that applicants provide name on the credit card, credit card number, and expiration date. There is an additional $2 fee charged for applicants using a credit card.
* PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH * with postal applications

The tag is valid for 90 days from date of issue. If you apply in advance they will hold your details and process the application so your tag is delivered in time for your arrival in Florida. If you need to renew your permit within 12 months from the date it was first issued, this can be done free of charge by post, email, fax or in person.

Applications arrive in 5-8 days by post. You will receive two registrations with your permit. This is to allow one registration to be kept inside the car that you will mostly use. The other is for the disabled person to hold, in case they are asked for verification. The second registration also allows you to carry the permit from vehicle to vehicle, if needed. If you are driving with relatives or friends and the disabled person is in the vehicle, the permit may be used. Below, I have included a few links of important information. I hope this will help you with any questions you may have.

flhsmv.gov/dmv/faqdpp.html
flhsmv.gov/dmv/dosanddonts.html
flhsmv.gov/safetytips/PDFs/TripTips.pdf

Edited at 12:54 PM.
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