Is handicapped parking free at Port of Miami?

[Gus]

YES!

Recently, I was asked if handicapped parking is free at Port of Miami.

So, I did what any good web host should do and emailed the Port...

Hi,

Can you please give me some details about handicapped parking at the port.

Thank you,

Gus Moore

Miami Beach 411 - The Official Miami Travel Site - http://www.miamibeach411.com/

A few days later, I receive a reply.

Dear Gus,

There is a short form required to be filled out for free handicapped parking including oversized vehicles and RV's. Please review the following:

There is a short form required to be filled out for free handicapped parking including oversized vehicles and RV's. Please review the following:

There is no reserved parking at the Port of Miami. The handicapped parking form cannot be downloaded, emailed, faxed, or no longer mailed to passengers. At this time, the forms can only be retrieved at the Toll Booth when entering or exiting our garages or parking lot. Please remember to bring your placard and proof of handicapped exemption with you. If you are from, in or out of state, you will be required to show you're driver's license to the Toll Operator, and the exempt individual must be present in the vehicle when you hand in the form.

There is no limit to the amount of days you park as long as you follow these procedures.

“Proof of Exemption.”

For example, on the Florida Placard the exempt individuals “Florida Driver License number or Florida I.D. number is embedded on the card.” Therefore, when you are at the toll booth, you can prove that the placard does in fact belong to the exempt person because it matches their number and picture. Other States follow along the same guideline or provide a registration card, embed their last 3 digit of the license number, name, last 4 digit of their Social Security number Etc…

It is always in your best interest to arrive one hour earlier “or more” than the Cruise Lines time of allowing you to board the vessel. There is a free shuttle called “International Limo of South Florida” that runs every 20 minutes from the garages/lot to the terminals and vice-versa.

When you return from your Cruise please go to the following website to take our Port of Miami Customer Service Survey: http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami...er_service.asp. We would very much appreciate your input on your visit to the Port of Miami.

The Port of Miami prides itself on our customer service and its visitor's safety. If I can help you any further please feel free to contact me at POMservice@miamidade.gov.

Best regards,

Gregory Elden,

Seaport Customer Information Specialist
Miami-Dade Seaport
Maritime Services Division
1015 N. America Way
305-347-5515 Phone
305-577-6438 Fax
www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami
"Delivering Excellence Every Day"

[Tommy]

I'm also handicap and Florida is a great state to live in if Handicap. ALL public metered parking and Public Parking Garages and lots are also free. Privately owned Lots and Garages will charge though. Miami Beach is 90% Public lots there's only 2 Private garages that I know of here. You will need your drivers lic and your disabled permit tag to show them... and yes they must match so I dont advise using grandmas pass to park on the beach, police and meter maids have the right to check at any time. I'm young so I get a cop asking me at least 1-2 times a month for my pass and ID. There is no time limit that you can leave your car either, I've left my car in the same metered spot and in garages for weeks at a time.

[Gus]

Thanks, Tommy. Good stuff. I didn't know Miami Beach was so handicapped parking-friendly.

[Matt Meltzer]

A Handicapped pass is worth its weight in diamond-encrusted platinum on the Beach.

However, this is not true in the entire State of Florida. Gainesville, for instance, will ticket you with said handicapped placard in residential zones and at meters.

[Tommy]

Same deal on the Beach you still have to have residential zone permit to park in zone parking even with disabled permit.... but it's a Florida statue about metered parking so it's uniform across the entire state, and municipality laws cannot supperseed state or federal laws. So if ganesville or any other city tickets you in a metered spot they are in violation of FL constitution or maybe just ill informed rookie meter maid mistake, I've been given a ticket or 2 throughout the years by meter maids not correctly knowing the law, I simply had to go to the courthouse and the ticket is dismissed. Unfortunately not all states give free parking, I think that Florida is just one of the good ones that has it's residents best interests in mind and doesn't just see each person as a dollar or cents sign.... kudos to you Florida

[Matt Meltzer]

Not true about the resdiential areas there, Tommy. You can park in those for as long as you like with a handicapped placard.

But what is the policy on the municipal pay lots? Not the garages, but the lots near the beach with the electronic pay machines?

[sungal]

YES!

Recently, I was asked if handicapped parking is free at Port of Miami.

So, I did what any good web host should do and emailed the Port...

Hi,

Can you please give me some details about handicapped parking at the port.

Thank you,

Gus Moore

Miami Beach 411 - The Official Miami Travel Site - http://www.miamibeach411.com/

A few days later, I receive a reply.

Dear Gus,

There is a short form required to be filled out for free handicapped parking including oversized vehicles and RV's. Please review the following:

There is a short form required to be filled out for free handicapped parking including oversized vehicles and RV's. Please review the following:

There is no reserved parking at the Port of Miami. The handicapped parking form cannot be downloaded, emailed, faxed, or no longer mailed to passengers. At this time, the forms can only be retrieved at the Toll Booth when entering or exiting our garages or parking lot. Please remember to bring your placard and proof of handicapped exemption with you. If you are from, in or out of state, you will be required to show you're driver's license to the Toll Operator, and the exempt individual must be present in the vehicle when you hand in the form.

There is no limit to the amount of days you park as long as you follow these procedures.

“Proof of Exemption.”

For example, on the Florida Placard the exempt individuals “Florida Driver License number or Florida I.D. number is embedded on the card.” Therefore, when you are at the toll booth, you can prove that the placard does in fact belong to the exempt person because it matches their number and picture. Other States follow along the same guideline or provide a registration card, embed their last 3 digit of the license number, name, last 4 digit of their Social Security number Etc…

It is always in your best interest to arrive one hour earlier “or more” than the Cruise Lines time of allowing you to board the vessel. There is a free shuttle called “International Limo of South Florida” that runs every 20 minutes from the garages/lot to the terminals and vice-versa.

When you return from your Cruise please go to the following website to take our Port of Miami Customer Service Survey: http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami...er_service.asp. We would very much appreciate your input on your visit to the Port of Miami.

The Port of Miami prides itself on our customer service and its visitor's safety. If I can help you any further please feel free to contact me at POMservice@miamidade.gov.

Best regards,

Gregory Elden,

Seaport Customer Information Specialist
Miami-Dade Seaport
Maritime Services Division
1015 N. America Way
305-347-5515 Phone
305-577-6438 Fax
www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami
"Delivering Excellence Every Day"

This seems so easy and convienient.

[Doug]

That's good to know. Does it also work for the Miami airport?

[Gus]

Good question, Doug. Yes, Free parking is available to disabled parking permit holders in the public parking facilities at Miami Airport, except in valet.

Disabled parking is available on the first and third levels of both Flamingo and Dolphin garages and in short term parking. When you exit you must use one of our "CASH" lanes and the disabled permit holder must be in the vehicle. Present the cashier with your ticket and the following documentation:

1) The disabled parking permit holder's valid driver's license or state issued identification card.
2) Valid disabled parking permit (Blue Placard).
3) Disabled parking permit registration.
4) Flight itinerary showing date of return to MIA (if more than one day).

The cashier will then fill out a special form that the permit holder must sign. You will then be able to exit for free.

[Doug]

Almost makes you want to break your leg...

[Edit - too graphic]