It is a criminal offense in every state to misuse a handicap parking placard—or to otherwise block access to a handicap accessible parking space, aisle, ramp, curb cut, or architectural improvement designed to provide access for people with disabilities. Misuse may take many forms, and laws vary from state to state, but it is generally a crime:

• to park a vehicle in a handicap accessible parking space without displaying the appropriate plate or placard—even if a driver or a passenger of the vehicle has a disability;

• to park a vehicle in an accessible space when neither the driver or any passenger has a disability, even if the vehicle displays the appropriate plate or placard;

• to park a vehicle with a placard or plate that is expired;

• to park a vehicle with a placard or plate that belongs to someone who is not a driver or a passenger in the vehicle;

• to lend a parking placard to an individual without a disability who uses that placard to violate state law;

• to steal or counterfeit a parking placard or license plate;

• to park a car in such a way that it blocks access to an accessible parking space, an access aisle, or any architectural improvement that provides access for people with disabilities, such as a ramp or a curb cut.

Laws prohibiting the misuse of handicap parking placards are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the vehicle code, transportation code, or penal or criminal code.

In Washington State, it is illegal to misuse handicap parking placards or to obstruct access to handicap parking spaces and related access features. The state's laws prohibit several actions, including parking in a designated accessible parking space without a valid and properly displayed placard or license plate, using a placard or plate that is expired or belongs to someone else who is not present, lending a placard to someone without a disability for misuse, and creating or using counterfeit disability parking credentials. Additionally, it is unlawful to park in a manner that blocks access to an accessible parking space, access aisle, ramp, curb cut, or any other architectural feature intended to facilitate access for individuals with disabilities. Violations of these regulations can result in fines and other penalties. These laws are typically found in the state's vehicle or transportation codes, and sometimes in the penal or criminal codes.