What a California Handicap Placard Is and Who Can Get One

A California handicap placard is a permit you hang from your rearview mirror or display on your dashboard that lets you park in designated accessible spaces. The placard is issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and is valid only in California, though some other states honor it. You do not need to own a vehicle to get one — you can use it in any vehicle you are riding in, as long as the driver displays it properly while parked.

The placard is for people with a permanent or temporary disability that limits mobility. This includes people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or canes; people with severe arthritis or joint problems; people who cannot walk more than a short distance without stopping to rest; and people with certain heart or lung conditions. A doctor must certify that your condition meets California's definition of disability before the DMV will issue the placard.

California issues two types of placards: permanent and temporary. A permanent placard is valid for up to ten years and is for conditions that are not expected to improve. A temporary placard is valid for six months and is for conditions that may get better, such as recovery from surgery or a broken leg.

Key Takeaways

  • A doctor licensed in California must complete and sign the process form before you submit it to the DMV.
  • You can explore in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through the DMV website, depending on whether you are seeking a permanent or temporary placard.
  • The DMV charges no fee for a handicap placard, but your doctor may charge for the medical evaluation and form completion.
  • A permanent placard takes about two to three weeks to arrive by mail after the DMV approves your process.
  • You must renew your placard before it expires, and the renewal process is the same as the initial process.

Getting Your Doctor's Certification

The first step is to have a doctor examine you and complete the process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate, which is form DL 625. The doctor must be licensed to practice medicine in California — this includes MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. The doctor must certify that your disability meets one of California's specific categories: you cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, you cannot walk without the use of an assistive device, you have a severe respiratory or cardiac condition, you are missing one or both legs, you are blind, or you have a permanent disability that severely limits mobility.

Your doctor will indicate on the form whether your condition is permanent or temporary. If temporary, they will write an expected end date. You should ask your doctor's office how long it takes them to complete the form — some offices do this the same day, while others may take a week or more. There is no charge from the DMV for the placard itself, but your doctor's office may charge a fee for the medical evaluation and form completion.

Once your doctor has signed the form, you will have the completed DL 625 in hand. Keep a copy for your records before you submit the original to the DMV.

Submitting Your process to the DMV

You have three ways to submit your process: by mail, in person at a DMV office, or online through the DMV website if you are explore for a temporary placard. The method you choose depends on your situation and how quickly you need the placard.

By mail: Send the signed DL 625 form, a copy of your driver's license or state ID, and a recent passport-style photo (2x2 inches) to the DMV address listed on the form. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the DMV to return your original documents. Mail processing takes longer than in-person or online submission — typically three to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope.

In person: Visit any DMV office with your completed DL 625 form, your driver's license or state ID, and a passport-style photo. You can often get a temporary placard on the spot, and permanent placards are usually mailed to you within two to three weeks. Bring the original signed form from your doctor.

Online: If you are explore for a temporary placard only, you can submit your process through the DMV website. You will need to upload a photo of the signed DL 625 form and a photo of your ID. Online applications for temporary placards are processed faster than mail applications.

What Happens After You Submit

Once the DMV receives your process, a staff member will review it to make sure the form is complete and signed by a licensed doctor. If something is missing or unclear, the DMV will contact you by mail or phone. If everything is in order, the DMV approves your process.

For a permanent placard, the DMV will mail the placard to the address on your process. This usually takes two to three weeks after approval. The placard will come in a protective sleeve with instructions on how to hang it or display it on your dashboard. For a temporary placard obtained in person, you may receive it when ready or within a few days.

Once you receive your placard, write your license plate number on the back in permanent marker. This helps law enforcement verify that the placard is being used legally in your vehicle. Do not write on the front of the placard.

Using Your Placard Correctly

Display your placard on the rearview mirror by hanging it from the provided hook, or place it on your dashboard so the placard number and expiration date face outward and are clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The placard must be visible at all times while you are parked in an accessible space. If you are not displaying it correctly, a parking enforcement officer can cite you even if you have a valid placard.

You can use the placard in any vehicle you are in, but only one placard per vehicle at a time. If you have both a placard and a disabled person license plate on the same vehicle, you must choose one to display. The placard is not transferable — only the person named on the placard can use it, though they can ride in someone else's car and the driver can display the placard while parked.

Misusing a handicap placard — such as displaying someone else's placard, using an expired placard, or parking in an accessible space without displaying a valid placard — is illegal in California and can result in a fine of $250 to $1,000 and possible vehicle impoundment.

Renewing Your Placard Before It Expires

Your placard will have an expiration date printed on it. You must renew it before that date or you will no longer be able to use it in accessible parking spaces. The renewal process is the same as the initial process: your doctor must complete a new DL 625 form, and you must submit it to the DMV by mail, in person, or online.

You can begin the renewal process up to six months before your placard expires. The DMV recommends starting the renewal at least four weeks before expiration to allow time for processing and mailing. If your placard expires before you receive the renewed one, you will not have legal permission to park in accessible spaces, so plan ahead.

If your medical condition has changed or improved, your doctor may issue a temporary placard instead of renewing a permanent one, or vice versa. The form will reflect whatever your current condition warrants.

Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Placard

If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement from the DMV. You do not need a new doctor's certification — you only need to submit a letter or form to the DMV explaining what happened and requesting a replacement. The DMV charges no fee for a replacement placard.

Contact your local DMV office or visit the DMV website to find out whether you can request a replacement by mail or must do so in person. Replacement placards are usually mailed within two to three weeks. Until you receive the replacement, you will not have a valid placard to display, so you cannot legally park in accessible spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a temporary placard while I wait for my permanent one?

If you explore in person at a DMV office, you may receive a temporary placard on the spot while your permanent placard is being processed. If you explore by mail, you will not receive a temporary placard unless you specifically request one and your doctor certifies that your condition is temporary. Contact your local DMV office to ask about temporary placard options.

What if my doctor says I need a placard but I do not have a driver's license?

You do not need a driver's license to get a handicap placard. You can use a state ID card instead. If you do not have either, you will need to obtain a state ID from the DMV before you can get the placard. Bring your birth certificate, proof of residence, and proof of Social Security number to a DMV office to explore for a state ID.

Can I use a California handicap placard in another state?

Some states honor California handicap placards, but not all. Before traveling out of state, contact the DMV or parking authority in the state you are visiting to confirm whether your California placard will be accepted. If it will not be accepted, you may need to obtain a temporary placard from that state.

What if the DMV denies my process?

The DMV will deny your process only if the form is incomplete, not signed by a licensed doctor, or the doctor's certification does not match California's disability categories. If your process is denied, the DMV will send you a letter explaining why. You can reapply with a corrected form or ask your doctor to provide additional information about how your condition meets the state's requirements.

Do I have to pay for the placard?

The DMV does not charge a fee for a handicap placard, replacement placard, or renewal. Your doctor may charge a fee for the medical evaluation and completion of the form, but this is separate from the DMV process.