Texas Travel Information Centers create a positive first impression of the Lone Star State. The Travel Information Centers are staffed by professional travel counselors who welcome visitors to Texas, help with routings and provide information on points of interest, events and road conditions.

By assisting travelers, these information centers promote travel to and within Texas, increasing revenue for cities, counties and the state. They encourage you to learn more about the services provided at the information centers and invite you to visit one of their locations.

The Travel Information Centers help travelers with routings, provide information on points of interest, events and road conditions, and most offer the following services:

• TxDOT travel literature, including the Texas State Travel Guide, Texas Accommodations Guide, Texas Official Travel Map, Texas Public Campgrounds and Texas Events Calendar
• Additional travel literature, including maps, pamphlets, booklets and brochures from local and statewide destinations, points of interest, special events, lodging and restaurants
• Free wireless Internet access
• video theater for viewing videos on Texas attractions and destinations
• 24-hour security surveillance
• 24-hour restrooms
• "Welcome to Texas" photo opportunities
• Covered picnic tables and group facilities
• motor carrier permits for oversized/overweight loads and temporary licenses, and
• Accessibility for people with disabilities.

Travelers may also call toll-free at (800) 452-9292 for:

• travel information, professional trip-planning assistance and road condition information from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
• automated road condition information 24 hours a day, and
• Information on scenic wildflower routes in the spring and on foliage colors in the fall.

TxDOT has completely updated the state's Safety Rest Areas to provide more services and a safer experience for Texas travelers.

New rest area facilities are being constructed throughout the state incorporating these new features, including:

• Air-conditioned and heated restrooms, as well as an assisted-use restroom
• Larger parking areas, with separated areas for cars and commercial trucks
• Wireless Internet
• Information areas for weather and road conditions, maps, traffic-safety and upcoming regional events
• Office space for law-enforcement personnel
• Enhanced security, including surveillance cameras
• Tornado shelters
• Walking and interpretive trails
• Play areas for kids

Texas was the first state to provide wireless Internet access at Safety Rest Areas. The service is available at every TxDOT rest area and Travel Information Center.

Wireless Internet service is provided to help drivers fight fatigue, which a major cause of auto accidents. The service encourages drivers to make regular stops and return to the road rested and alert.

To log on, look for SSID (or network name), "Texas Safety Rest Area Free Wifi" on your wireless login display.

After connecting, the TexTreks Web portal will open, which provides information including:

• Maps
• Weather
• Road conditions
• Accommodations
• Texas events
• Travel safety tips

The following information will help you learn about disabled parking placards, including eligibility requirements, application instructions and penalties for misuse.

• Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses
• Visual acuity of more than 20/200 but with a limited field of vision in which the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle of 20 degrees or less
• Mobility problems that substantially impair a person's ability to move around; these problems can be caused by:
• Paralysis
• Lung disease
• Cardiac deficiency
• Wheelchair confinement
• Arthritis
• Foot disorder
• Other medical condition causing a person to use a brace, cane, crutch or other assistive device.

To apply for a new "permanent" (blue) placard or "temporary" (red) placard, you must:

• Ask your doctor to complete the Disability Statement section of the application.
• Complete the rest of the application.
• Submit the application and payment to your county tax office.

To renew a "permanent" (blue) placard, you must:

• Complete the Affidavit portion of a new application (not the disability statement), including the signature of the applicant.
• Submit a copy of the original application, along with the new application and payment to your county tax office. If you do not have a copy of your application, you may also submit your expiring placard(s) to your county tax office.

Placards for permanent disabilities must be renewed every four years. Placards for temporary disabilities are valid for six months or until your disability ends, whichever comes first, and cannot be renewed. You will need to apply for a new placard if your temporary disability extends beyond the six-month limit.

Vehicles displaying disabled plates or placards are the only vehicles allowed to park in spaces clearly marked for the disabled. These vehicles may park in any space clearly marked for the disabled unless the space is marked “BLUE PLACARD PARKING ONLY” in which case a blue placard must be displayed for parking.

• Blue placards designate a permanent disability.
• Red placards designate a temporary disability.

Vehicles displaying Disabled Veteran license plates are not subject to the above restriction and may park in any disabled parking space.

Nursing homes, retirement communities, institutions and other facilities that transport people with disabilities may obtain blue parking placards for their vehicles, including vans and buses. These placards can only be used when transporting people with disabilities.

People who misuse disabled parking placards are subject to fines of up to $1,250 and/or up to 50 hours of community service.

A law enforcement officer may seize a placard if the officer believes a parking offense has been committed. Confiscated placards are returned to TxDMV.

The owner of the placard may request a hearing to explain the situation, after which we determine if the placard should be returned to the owner.

If your placard is lost or stolen, you can replace it by presenting a photocopy of the Form VTR-214 that you originally submitted, to your county tax office. If you did not keep a photocopy of the form and/or the county tax office cannot verify the placard was issued, you will need to apply for a new disabled placard.

If your disabled placard was stolen, please report it to your local law enforcement agency. Reporting placard theft allows us to flag that placard in our database and can assist in identifying the thief.

• Blue placards are for people who have a permanent disability.
• Red placards are for people with a temporary disability.