Invisible Disability

The designator provides a method for a person to designate on a driver’s license or identification card, a discreet symbol that identifies a person with a medically verified cognitive, mental, neurological, or physical disability or a combination. The primary purpose of the designator is to alert law enforcement to a person’s non-apparent disability during a traffic stop, or other routine contact (AS 18.65.310(m) and AS 28.15.111(d)). The State of Alaska is the first state to offer to qualifying individuals an invisible disability designator on a driver’s license or identification card. Under a Memorandum of Agreement with the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA), the DMV uses the IDA’s “i” symbol as the designator.

To apply for the designator: please complete the 486 application completed by a health care provider, select "Add Designator" and submit with a D1 application. The fee may vary.

To remove the designator: please complete the 486 application, select "Remove Designator", and submit with a D1 application. The fee may vary.

You do not need to bring the form each time. You will be given the option to keep or remove the identifier when renewing without having to bring a signed form.

If you are stopped by Law Enforcement

To raise awareness of non-apparent, hidden, or invisible disabilities and to facilitate positive interactions between citizens and peace officers, House Bill 16 also resulted in updates to DMV’s Driver’s Manual to include information on driver’s obligations when they are stopped by an officer.

• Drivers are required to stop as soon as is practicable and in a reasonably safe manner when signaled to do so by law enforcement. AS 28.35.182
• If you are contacted by an officer and you have a deadly weapon concealed on your person, you must notify the officer immediately. AS 11.61. 220(a)(1)(A)

Drivers must have in their possession

• Their driver’s license. AS 28.15.131
• Proof of Insurance. AS 28.22.019
• Proof of current registration to be shown upon request (may be displayed on a mobile device). AS 28.10.461

Best practices for citizens

• If you are being pulled over, signal immediately to show the officer your intentions and pull over to the right as soon as it is safe to do so, even if you are in the left lane of a four-lane roadway.
• Try not to stop on a curve, just after the crest of a hill, next to a guardrail, or other location that would make the stop unsafe for you and the officer.
• The driver and all passengers should remain in the vehicle.
• When it’s dark outside, turn the interior lights on.
• Keep your hands visible, such as on the steering wheel.
• Wait for the officer to ask prior to retrieving any documents from your wallet, purse, center console or glove compartment.
• When the stop is complete, the officer will remain in place until you signal and safely reenter the lane of traffic unless they instruct you otherwise.