# Handicapped license plate on a motorcycle? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 13, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780 "2013-11-13T03:00:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/21 "2013-11-13T09:12:57Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > What about blindness? They don’t allow handicapped plates for blindness? > > Srsly. > > Can a fully able driver get handicapped plates if there is someone else in the family who is seriously handicapped (e.g., blind) that you routinely drive around? If I’m not mistaken, you can do that in CA. Blindness is not an acceptable criterion for a disabled parking placard in Illinois, no. In 24 states, it is, but not mine. Of course, if you’re blind and also have crappy breathing, you can get a plate/placard, but not for blindness alone. In Illinois only a car used to transport a person with a qualifying permanent disability more than 60% of the time it’s used can get a disabled plate. If you don’t have a vehicle that meets the \>60% requirement, you can get a placard that hangs from the rear view mirror that you can use in any vehicle. This may only legally be used when you (the disabled person) are entering or exiting the vehicle during your trip. If you are just riding along and not getting in or out, your driver may not use your placard to park in a disabled parking spot. If you are not in the car, your driver may not use your placard to park in a disabled parking spot. The same restrictions hold true for plates. Plates and Placards belong to the disabled person, not the car. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/22 "2013-11-13T12:23:15Z")
There’s a guy with only one arm and one leg that rides rings around me at our local race track, on a slightly modified motorbike. Off the bike, he hobbles along with difficulty but determination. On the bike, he’s poetry in motion. Made me think long and hard about limitations and making judgements / assumptions. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/23 "2013-11-13T12:54:29Z")
I have a friend who rides long distances (e.g. Wisconsin to Utah), but has significant mobility issues. He struggles with throwing a leg over the bike - moreso lately, to the point that he’s considering switching to a Harley Davidson, which would have a lower saddle height than his current BMW - and once off of the bike, he requires a cane while walking. Although he doesn’t have a handicapped license plate on his bike, he would certainly qualify for one under the rules quoted by WhyNot (cane = “assistive device”). ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/24 "2013-11-13T13:02:46Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Can a fully able driver get handicapped plates if there is someone else in the family who is seriously handicapped (e.g., blind) that you routinely drive around? If I’m not mistaken, you can do that in CA. If you state allows that the able-bodied driver would only be allowed to exercise handicapped privileges while the handicapped person is with them, or if they’re picking that person up somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/25 "2013-11-13T14:41:29Z")
My mother is eligible for a handicap placard in WI because she has had a knee replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/26 "2013-11-13T15:04:57Z")
Here in Colorado, handicapped placards are registered to the handicapped _person_, not a vehicle. I’m not sure about the license plates. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/27 "2013-11-13T16:35:18Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > When I was on crutches (with a handicapped tag) for a **shattered heal** , I could have ridden a motorcycle. > I didn’t, but I could have. Man, that sounds kind of like a Catch-22. Hope I never get one of those… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/28 "2013-11-13T16:42:12Z")
> [@Cheez\_Whia](#): > > Here in Colorado, handicapped placards are registered to the handicapped _person_, not a vehicle. I’m not sure about the license plates. Same in California. Handicapped plates are assigned to the vehicle (of course), and the vehicle has to list the qualifying user as (a) registered owner. So, once the loan on my current car is paid off, I _could_ out my wife’s name on the title with mine, and we _could_ get a plate. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/29 "2013-11-13T17:05:47Z")
Also, there are automatic motorcycles out there, although they’ve never been very popular. You could probably get by riding one of those with a very basic prosthetic on your left foot and left hand. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/30 "2013-11-13T17:10:35Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > A handicap tag does not automatically mean that the person is confined to a wheelchair. You could have walking trouble or some other mobility issue that didn’t affect your ability to control a bike. My father had handicap tags long before he was in a wheelchair simply because he couldn’t walk more than a few hundred feet in one go. Many years ago, I briefly dated a man who had handicapped plates on his motorcycle. Several years before, he was in a serious car accident that left him with one leg permanently weakened (when I met him, I thought he had a BKA but that wasn’t the case) and he used a cane. He usually didn’t take advantage except in the winter, or if he was at a big community event. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/31 "2013-11-13T18:59:11Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Also, there are automatic motorcycles out there, although they’ve never been very popular. You could probably get by riding one of those with a very basic prosthetic on your left foot and left hand. This. There have been automatic bikes since the 1970s - for some reason Honda seems particularly determined to build them - and some companies are now making DCT bikes that don’t require a shift lever. I recently read a blog post from someone taking his first motorcycle safety course who discovered on the last day that the instructor has a prosthetic leg. I haven’t seen anyone put such plates on a bike, but I can think of many cases where it would apply. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/32 "2013-11-13T19:21:29Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > When I was on crutches (with a handicapped tag) for a shattered heal, I could have ridden a motorcycle. > I didn’t, but I could have. So, did it ever heel? ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/33 "2013-11-13T20:14:42Z")
I have handicapped plates and drive a bike. I may not have them forever as I am getting both knees replaced but for now walking is very painful. My bike is a 650 and has NO feet controls, none, everything is on the handlebars. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/34 "2013-11-13T22:00:08Z")
My brother had handicapped plates on his pickup due to AK amputation. He bought a motorbike, 100hop scooter style IIRC, after he lost his leg. Can’t recall if the bike had a handicapped plate or not but he certainly qualified. When riding his scooter he did not use his prosthetic. He strapped a set of crutches on the side with some bungee cords. That would be enough to get him inside Wal-Mart or a grocery where he could switch to their motorized shopping cart. Crutches stayed at Customer Service while he shopped. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/35 "2013-11-13T22:00:55Z")
Another thing to note is that supermarket trolleys lend a little support for walking. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/36 "2013-11-13T22:00:57Z")
“Linked brakes”, which will allow you to apply both brakes with the hand lever will let you ride without a functional right foot (rear brake). You can get solenoids that will let you replace your left foot’s shifting action with a thumb switch. There’s a few motorcycles available with automatic transmissions, too. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/37 "2013-11-14T02:31:35Z")
I have a buddy who lost his left arm and leg in a motorcycle accident. After his recovery, he got a Ural with a sidecar, and had an attachment made for his prosthetic arm that could grab and operate the clutch lever for shifting. And, if you don’t think there’s [handicapped bikers](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/ural/Picture25434_zps23c66f28.jpg) out there, apparently [there are!](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/ural/Picture25435_zps4c225952.jpg) Saw this bike in Myrtle Beach a while back. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/38 "2013-11-14T02:33:56Z")
Many people with respiratory conditions have handicapped plates/stickers. They can’t walk far at all without having to rest, but they can ride motorcycles just fine. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780/39 "2013-11-14T10:02:37Z")
I don’t have a picture handy (I’ll try and find one) but at this years Lone Star (motorcycle) Rally I saw a guy that had fabricated a sidecar sort of rig that he could roll his wheelchair up into and drive the motorcycle while sitting in his wheelchair. 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapped-license-plate-on-a-motorcycle/673780.md?page=1)