• Florida law allows four hours of "free parking" for people with a handicap parking permitparking meter image by Patrick Moyer from Fotolia.com
  
  The Americans With Disabilities Act sets forth certain standards for handicap parking, but it does little to address parking at a meter. So Florida law established guidelines for people displaying a disabled parking permit to use metered parking, but there are restrictions.
  
  

Handicapped Parking at Meters

• Anyone displaying a disabled parking permit can park at a meter for free, according to Florida law. But, state law limits the time you can stay in that spot to four hours. Some local governments have extended that limit beyond the four hours. Contact specific city halls for more information.
  
  

Exceptions to Parking at Meters

• Florida law is very specific that the person who was issued the disabled parking permit must be in the car to take advantage of the "free parking;" the permit was issued to the person not the car. If law enforcement finds anyone using a permit that does not belong to him, that person is guilty of a misdemeanor and faces a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
  
  

Getting A Disabled Parking Permit

• To get a disabled parking permit in Florida, you must first have a Florida driver's license or identification card. The only exception to this rule is if the disabled person is physically unable to visit an office to apply for the license or ID card. All applicants for the parking permit will also need to fill out a form that must be signed by their doctor and pay any necessary fees.
  
  

Visiting Florida

• If you already have a disabled parking permit and plan to visit the Sunshine State, you will not need to apply for a new permit in Florida. Florida recognizes disabled parking placards and license plates issued by any other state.