NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Expectant mothers in Tennessee whose doctors have flagged their pregnancy as high risk will soon be able to park closer to the door, under a new state law that kicks in with the new year.
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, a person with a physician-certified high-risk pregnancy can apply for a temporary parking placard, the Tennessee Department of Health said this week. The permit will cost $10 and stay valid for as long as six months.
The change comes from Public Chapter 827, a measure lawmakers approved that takes effect on the first day of 2027. The law leaves the medical call to doctors: a physician has to sign off that the pregnancy meets the high-risk standard before a placard can be issued.
Health officials pitched the placards as a practical help. In announcing the program, the department said shorter walks from the car can make it easier for women in a difficult pregnancy to get to medical appointments, to work and to other everyday stops.
The process will run through the same offices that already handle disability placards and vehicle tags. Applications go to the county clerk in the county where the person lives, and the state has posted an application form online. County clerks will be busy at the counter in January, since a separate state law taking effect the same day requires proof of citizenship or lawful presence for first-time vehicle registrations.
The department is advising anyone who thinks they may qualify to start with a conversation with their own health care provider, since the doctor certification is the first step. Because each placard lasts up to six months, it is designed to cover a large share of a pregnancy without becoming a permanent permit.
Filed under: Nashville TN Health News
