A person with a disability may park a vehicle in a metered or timed parking place in a city without paying fees. This covers both metered parking on city streets and spaces in parking lots and garages owned/operated by local governments.

Parking lots and garages operated by state government agencies may also provide free parking for people with disabilities.

The law also allows parking in places where signs limit the length of time parking is allowed, such as 2-hour limit. However, the law does NOT allow a person with a disability to park where ALL vehicles are barred from parking (such as a sign for "NO parking between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.")

To qualify, the person's vehicle must have a disability license plate or display a disability placard hanging from the rearview mirror (or on the driver’s side dashboard if it cannot be hung). SC Code Ann. Sections 56-3-1950, 1960 and 1965.

Veterans with a disability do not have to pay city parking meter fees if their vehicles have a “disabled veteran” license plate. SC Code Ann. Section 56-5-2585 To get this plate you need documentation from the U.S., regional, or county Veterans Affairs certifying that you are a wartime disabled veteran who:

1) is entitled to compensation for the loss of use of one or both legs or arms, or

2) has a permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to a degree as to constitute virtual blindness and is entitled to a special monthly statutory award by reason thereof, or 3) is a SC veteran classified as totally and permanently disabled due to service-connected disabilities as determined from the medical records on file with the U.S. or county Department of Veterans Affairs.

HOWEVER, if you want to park in spaces reserved for individuals with disabilities, SC DMV requires you also provide a physician’s statement that your disability would qualify you for the standard SC Disabled License Plate or Placard. Then your “disabled veteran” plate will be issued showing a wheelchair symbol as the international disability symbol. For further information see:

http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/PlateGallery.aspx?q=Disabled

People with disabilities are allowed to pay $20 instead of full license fee when registering passenger vehicles for license plates. This special rate does not cover trucks. The law covers only individuals who have disabilities that: (1) impair the ability to walk or require use of a wheelchair, braces, walkers, or crutches; (2) involve loss of use of one or both legs; (3) involve lung disease requiring a respirator while walking; or (4) involve mobility impairment. It also covers people considered totally and permanently disabled by the federal Social Security Administration or Veterans Affairs Department. This same law applies to all persons age 65 or over. SC Code Ann. Sections 56-3-620 and 56-3-1950

1. Up to two personal motor vehicles owned or leased by person who uses a wheelchair are exempt from property tax. The vehicles may be owned solely or jointly. SC Code Ann. Section 12-37-220 (B)(27)

2. One personal motor vehicle owned or leased by guardian of a child who is blind or uses a wheelchair is exempt from property tax if the vehicle is used to transport the child. SC Code Ann. Section 12-37-220 (B)(37)

3. Up to two private passenger vehicles owned or leased by a disabled veteran who has special license tags or a certificate showing total and permanent disability is exempt from property tax. The exemption extends for one vehicle owned by a surviving spouse. SC Code Ann. Section 12-37-220 (B)(3)

NOTE: The SC Department of Revenue makes all decisions about exemptions for property tax on motor vehicles. The application form is at: https://dor.sc.gov/tax/exempt-property(link is external) (If you are asked for a username/password, simply press “cancel” to get to the website). When completed, the form may be mailed, or sent by fax or e-mail to the SC Department of Revenue. You may also ask for help from your county Auditor’s Office.