Disabled Person Parking Placard Abuse Decreases at Los Angeles County Fair

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Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2019

DMV enforcement combined with increased public awareness yield positive results

Pomona – Annual enforcement efforts by investigators with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and an effective public awareness campaign are proving to be successful in reducing abuse of disabled person parking placards at the Los Angeles County Fair. 

Between August 30 and September 22, investigators caught 254 people misusing placards during seven operations conducted at this year’s fair at the Pomona Fairplex.  In comparison, investigators caught 345 offenders last year and 477 in 2017.

“We are encouraged to see that our proactive enforcement efforts along with a comprehensive education campaign are making a significant difference in the lives of those who depend on a disabled person parking placard to assist with their mobility,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon.  “I ask Californians to save the space for those who truly need it.”

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L.A. County Fair Placard Enforcement
DateCitationsPlacards Verified
9/5
9/6
9/12
9/14
9/18
9/19
9/21
27
36
26
60
18
27
60
372
418
415
443
415
343
410
Total2542,816

Offenders have their placard confiscated and receive a citation that carries a fine between $250 and $1,000.

“We want the public to know that a person who is assigned a disabled parking placard is the only one who can legally use it,” said DMV Investigations Chief Tom Wilson. “We thank Pomona Fairplex management for helping us enforce the law.

The DMV reminds Californians that not every disability is visible and allegations of misuse of a disabled parking placard may be unfounded. The level of reported or observed misuse of disabled parking placards varies from area to area.  Most violations involve people using disabled parking placards issued to family or friends to avoid paying parking fees, as well as obtaining convenient and/or unrestricted parking. 

California Vehicle Code Section 4461(b) (c) prohibits anyone from lending their placard, knowingly permitting the use of their placard or allowing anyone else to use it while they are not present.  In addition, individuals cannot display a disabled parking placard that is not issued to them or that has been canceled or revoked.

Anyone who suspects a person may be misusing a disabled person placard is urged to report it using an online complaint form or by contacting their local DMV Investigations office.

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