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Special-use Vehicle (SUV) Permit

This permit allows permanently physically disabled persons enhanced access to selected wildlife management areas (WMAs).

What this permit allows:

1. The named permittee and one assistant riding in the same vehicle with the permittee to operate a vehicle in some WMAs on roads not open to the public. The permit holder must follow the permit conditions and the restrictions in the Special Use Vehicle WMA Summary at MyFWC.com/ada/suv_wma.htm.

2. The permitted vehicle may be operated only on established named or numbered roads, service roads, firebreaks or well-defined roads except as provided by the Special Use Vehicle SUV WMA Summary.

3. Not all WMAs allow SUV-permitted vehicle access. You must read the Special Use Vehicle WMA Summary at MyFWC.com/ada/suv_wma.htm to determine which WMAs allow special use access and for area restrictions. The summary is updated annually in July.

What this permit does NOT allow:

1. Access to WMAs when they are closed due to weather or other emergency closures.

2. Hunting or fishing without the required licenses and permits.

3. Access to areas designated or posted as closed due to safety, emergency or environmental purposes (e.g. bombing ranges, or roads closed due to flooding, washouts or fire).

4. Operation of a vehicle on established hiking, bicycling or equestrian trails or in any wetland or in any manner that destroys vegetation (driving on roads or firebreaks planted as a food plot or driving over trees).

5. More than one assistant or person in or on the vehicle with the permittee.

6. Vehicles of a type not authorized by WMA regulations or the SUV WMA Summary.

7. Parking in a manner that obstructs roads, gates or fire lanes.

Requirements and conditions:

1. A statement by a Florida licensed physician, on the FWC-provided Physician Certification Form, stating the applicant is permanently disabled and that the qualifying disability renders normal walking impossible, is required.

   Qualifying disabilities are:

   1. Confinement to a wheelchair;
   2. Requires mechanical aids such as crutches, prostheses or walker; or
   3. Any certified, permanent medical condition that severely limits a person's ability to walk.

   The statement must be signed by a licensed Florida physician. The required Physician Certification Form for the physician signature is provided as a part of this application process.

   Applicants with temporary disabilities are not eligible for SUV permits.

2. The permittee must access, read and follow the area-specific time periods of use and stipulations found in the SUV WMA Summary at MyFWC.com/ada/suv_wma.htm for each WMA accessed using this permit. Summaries are updated annually in July.

3. This permit must be in the physical possession of the permittee when engaged in the permitted activity and must be presented to any law enforcement officer, FWC personnel, Forest Service personnel or other law enforcement personnel upon request.

Information you must have available to apply for this permit:

1. Contact and identification information, including a daytime telephone number where you can be reached during normal business hours.

2. To receive notification of approval or denial of the permit application, applicant must provide an e-mail address. If an e-mail address is not provided the applicant may return to the application Web site periodically to determine if your permit was approved. If approved, the permittee must print the permit and International handicapped symbol hangers.

3. A printer and Adobe Reader. 

How to Apply for this Permit:

1. Click on the "Apply for Special Use Vehicle (SUV) Permit Now" button below.
2. This will take you to a login screen. If you have not applied online for an FWC special permit before, click on "Register." Enter the requested information and create your username and password.
3. Enter your username and password.
4. Enter the requested information.
5. Summit your application.
6. Print the required Physician Certification Form.
7. Take the required Physician Certification Form to your doctor.
8. Return the signed Physician Certification Form to the FWC.
9. Your application will be reviewed.
10. If you supplied an e-mail address you will receive notification of approval or denial of the permit application. If you do not supply an e-mail address you will need to return to the site periodically to determine your status.  To ensure you receive automatic messages regarding your permits, please add the following to your allowed e-mail addresses:  Disability_Permits_LP@MyFWC.com.
11. If approved, sign on to the application site (by clicking the link below) and print the permit and international handicapped symbol hanger.
12. Read and sign permit.
13. This permit must be in the physical possession of the permittee when engaged in the permitted activity and must be presented to any law enforcement officer, FWC personnel, Forest Service personnel or other law enforcement personnel upon request.
14. The international handicapped symbol hanger provided for printing with this permit must be displayed on the vehicle transporting the permittee.
15. Permit holders are encouraged to laminate the international handicapped symbol hanger.
16. This permit is valid from approval until the next June 30.
17. Permit holders must reapply annually after July 1 by resubmitting an application form. A physician certification does not need to be resubmitted. Permit holders who have not renewed the permit within the previous three years will be purged from the system and must submit both the application and physician’s statement form.

If you need an ADA accommodation to complete this application call 850-488-6411.

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