They won't cooperate. Do we report this to the DMV (we're in California) or call the cops? Mom is being held prisoner in her own home. We got the disabled placard so we could take her to her appointments, shopping, etc, and have always kept it in her home in a place where anyone that was driving mom could find it. BIL says it's his now because he started taking mom to appointments a few months ago. The jerk deserves more than just a fine and mom wants to get out of the house. When 2 of us are with mom, it's not a problem - one person gets out with her and waits while the other parks and catches up. No big deal. But it's rare mom has 2 people visiting at the same time. If we had POA, we'd just cancel it and get another.
My father in laws wife used his at Christmastime because the parking lot was so packed. She was questioned by mall security and asked for ID, he gave her a warning and told her all the hassle he would have to go through to get it back. Lesson learned.
Since he's being a jerk - I would try to get him busted after you get the replacement.
So that means I have to leave them on the walk-way by themselves, and hope the wind doesn't topple them over while I look for a place to park :P
thezookeeper, I can see the problem when different family members are helping the parent. I know many a time I have driven off with Dad in my vehicle and totally forgot to get the plaque card out of Dad's car. Hopefully the DMV can give you a duplicate.
My wife had one for her car and we have another one for my car for when she is riding with me. The card comes with a registration card that shows it is for her in her name. We leave the registration card in the glove compartment and the placard in the car to be hung on the rear view mirror after the car is parked. It is not a good idea to drive with it hanging from the rear view mirror for it blocks the driver's view.
From what I read online, the paperwork about the handicapped parking placard is to go with the person for whom it is for along with the placard to whatever vehicle they are riding in. In other words, when mom rides with BIL, the registration card that came along with the placard needs to be in the vehicle.
It is ridiculous for BIL to hang on to the card because he started taking mom to appointments a few months ago. Has he taken her to any appointments lately? Is he using her card for his own benefit? Does he know that without the registration card saying who the placard is for it is not valid.
Babalou's idea of ringing the issuers and asking their advice is a good one: since the placard is for use by your mother and nobody else, it's just - just - possible they might consider supplying a duplicate provided that both are being used responsibly. I take your BIL is not being such a worm as to use it when he isn't accompanying your mother?