SACRAMENTO - With holiday shopping at its peak time, California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) investigators know that, in most places, convenient parking spaces are at a premium. Human nature and experience tells them, some people will fraudulently place a Disabled Person Parking Placard (DPPP) on their vehicle’s rearview mirror in order to use a convenient parking space designated for the disabled.

“Unfortunately, this is a year-round problem, and DMV investigators do conduct DPPP operations January through December,” said Association of Motor Vehicle Investigators of California (AMVIC) President Kenny Ehrman. “We are really trying to educate drivers that you can’t use a placard that is not yours, unless the person the placard is issued to, is with you, in the vehicle.”

On December 20, 2017, DMV investigators conducted a DPPP operation in San Diego and Sacramento, contacting nearly 400 drivers and verifying DPPPs. Investigators issued five misdemeanor citations in San Diego and four in Sacramento for fraudulent use of a placard. A citation carries a possible fine of up to $1,000.

“More often than not it is a family member misusing the placard,” said Ehrman. “This creates a huge inconvenience, not to mention, in some cases, extreme pain for individuals who need parking close to businesses. Let’s respect those who truly need to minimize their steps to conduct business.”