Caught! DMV Cracks Down On Fraudulent Use Of Disabled Placard

CALIFORNIA -- More than 150 people in California were given misdemeanor citations for fraudulently using disabled person parking placards in February, the state Department of Motor Vehicles said Friday. The agency said 20 enforcement operations during the month verified 1,582 placards, resulting in citations for about one out of every 10 people with whom they interacted.

Offenders must appear in court to face possible fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 and will receive a notation on their driver record about the violation, the DMV said.

From July 1 to February 28, 2018, DMV investigators have issued 1,479 citations to people fraudulently using disabled person placards during 170 enforcement operations. During fiscal year 2016-17, they handed out 1,625 citations, the agency said.

The most citations were issued in Northridge with 23 people caught illegally using a disabled placard.

Anyone who suspects a person might 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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