The District has completed the first phase of a public education effort designed to inform residents, commuters and visitors about a change in DC parking law. All the city's parking meters, nearly 16, 000, were relabeled with new decals reflecting DC LAW 13-279 (Individuals With Disabilities Parking Reform Amendment Act Of 2000), which sets stricter limits on the amount of free parking available to cars bearing handicap license plates or placards.

The change is intended to ensure that residential streets and short-term metered spaces are not monopolized for all-day parking. Additionally, it is anticipated that the law will curb fraudulent use of handicap plates and placards by non-disabled drivers. Following a 30-day warning period, which began Monday, July 23, the new regulation will be fully enforced beginning Monday, August 20.

During the warning period, DPW parking officers will issue pink "Warning Tickets" to vehicles bearing a handicap designation. The warning tickets are printed with the new parking rules, as well as details for requesting a DC handicap placard. Information will be also available at all DC Department of Motor Vehicles satellite offices, as well as on agency Web sites. Additionally, business organizations, city agencies, community groups, hospitality and travel associations will be notified and asked to inform their members and constituents.

District residents holding either handicap license plates or a hanging placard - as well as disabled commuters and visitors to the city - should note the following changes:

Everyone must now adhere to the two-hour parking limit in designated residential neighborhoods. Beginning August 20, 2001, disabled residents must display a residential parking sticker in addition to their handicap plates or hanging placard.
Persons with DC-issued handicap tags or placards may park free in any other space for double the amount of time permitted by the sign or meter. Following the free period, posted time limits and/or meter fees apply. Motorists may not feed the meter past the posted time limits.
Disabled drivers from other states must obtain a DC-issued placard from DMV to take advantage of free, on-street parking. Otherwise, posted time limits and/or meter fees apply.
The law was passed by Congress earlier this year, following approval by the Council of the District of Columbia and Mayor Anthony A. Williams. For more information about the new law, or to obtain a DC handicap placard, call DMV at (202) 727-5000.