What a California DMV Disability Placard Is

A California DMV disability placard is a permit that hangs from your rearview mirror and lets you park in spaces marked for people with disabilities. The placard shows you have a medical condition that makes walking difficult or impossible. When you display it, you can use accessible parking spaces at stores, hospitals, government buildings, and other public places — spaces that would otherwise be reserved for vehicles with permanent or temporary disability license plates.

The placard is not the same as a disability license plate. A placard is temporary (usually valid for two years) and moves with you between vehicles. A license plate is permanent and stays with one vehicle. You can have either one or both, depending on your situation and what your doctor recommends.

California issues two types of placards: permanent (for ongoing conditions) and temporary (for conditions expected to improve, usually lasting six months). Both look identical and work the same way in parking lots.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a signed medical certification from a California-licensed doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or chiropractor stating you have a mobility disability.
  • You submit the medical form (DL 632) along with an process (DL 631) and proof of residency to your local DMV office or by mail.
  • Temporary placards last six months; permanent placards last two years and can be renewed by mail without a new doctor's visit.
  • Displaying someone else's placard or using one that is not registered to your vehicle is illegal and can result in fines and towing.
  • You do not need a disability license plate to get a placard, and you do not need a placard to get a disability plate — they are separate programs.

Who Can Get a California Disability Placard

You can get a placard if you have a medical condition that limits your ability to walk. This includes people who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or crutches; people with severe arthritis or joint pain that makes walking painful; people with heart or lung disease that causes shortness of breath; people who are blind or have severe vision loss; people with neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease; and people recovering from surgery or injury. The condition does not have to be permanent — temporary conditions that are expected to last at least six months also may have access to.

A doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or chiropractor licensed in California must certify that your condition meets the state's definition of a mobility disability. The doctor does not have to be your regular physician, but they must have examined you and be willing to sign the medical form. Some urgent care clinics and walk-in medical offices will complete the form for a fee if your regular doctor is unavailable.

You must be a California resident with a valid California driver's license or state ID card. If you do not have either, you will need to get one before you can get a placard.

Documents You Need to Bring or Submit

You will need three things: a completed medical certification form (DL 632), a completed process form (DL 631), and proof that you live in California. Both forms are available on the California DMV website and at any DMV office.

The medical form (DL 632) must be signed and dated by your doctor within the last 60 days. It asks whether your condition is permanent or temporary and whether you use mobility aids. You cannot submit a form older than 60 days, so timing matters — do not get the form signed too far in advance.

For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail with your current address. A driver's license or state ID counts as proof of identity but not proof of residency, so you need both.

If you are explore by mail, make copies of everything. The DMV will not return your originals. Include a check or money order for the fee (currently $6 for a permanent placard, $3 for a temporary one, though fees can change). Do not send cash.

how the process works at a DMV Office or by Mail

You can explore in person at any California DMV office or by mail. In-person applications are usually processed the same day, and you leave with your placard. Mail applications take two to four weeks.

To explore in person, bring your completed DL 631 form, the signed DL 632 medical form, proof of residency, your driver's license or ID, and the fee. Go to your local DMV office during business hours. You do not need an appointment for a placard process, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter waits.

To explore by mail, send the completed DL 631 and DL 632 forms, a photocopy of your driver's license or ID, a photocopy of your proof of residency, and a check or money order to the address listed on the DMV website for your county. Include a return envelope with postage. Mail your process to the DMV office that serves your county of residence.

If you are explore for a temporary placard, the process is identical. The only difference is that your doctor will have checked the "temporary" box on the medical form, and your placard will expire after six months instead of two years.

What Happens After You Are Approved

If you applied in person, you receive your placard when ready. It comes as a cardboard or plastic hang tag with a number and expiration date. Hang it from your rearview mirror so the number faces outward and is clearly visible from outside the vehicle.

If you applied by mail, the DMV will mail your placard to the address on your process. Once it arrives, hang it the same way. Do not use it until it arrives — using an unapproved placard is illegal.

Your placard is valid in any vehicle you are driving or riding in, as long as you are present in the car. You can move it between vehicles. The placard expires on the date printed on it. A permanent placard lasts two years; a temporary placard lasts six months. You can renew a permanent placard by mail without visiting a doctor again, though you will need to submit a new process and fee.

If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at any DMV office for a small fee. Bring your driver's license and proof of residency.

Scams and Illegal Use to Avoid

Do not buy, borrow, or use someone else's placard. Using a placard that is not registered to you is illegal, even if the person who owns it gives you permission. Parking enforcement and police can issue citations, tow your vehicle, and fine you up to $250 or more. The placard owner can also face penalties for allowing someone else to use it.

Do not purchase a placard online or from anyone claiming to sell one without a doctor's visit. These are scams. The only legal way to get a placard is through the California DMV with a genuine medical certification from a licensed doctor.

Do not park in an accessible space without displaying your valid placard, even if you have a disability. The space is only reserved for you when the placard is visible. Parking enforcement will ticket you if the placard is not displayed, even if you own one.

Be aware that some parking lots have their own rules about placard use. Some require you to also have a disability license plate, or they limit how long you can park even with a placard. Check posted signs before you park.

Renewing Your Placard Before It Expires

If you have a permanent placard, you can renew it by mail without a new doctor's visit. The DMV will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before your placard expires. Complete the renewal form (DL 631), include the fee, and mail it back. Your new placard will arrive in the mail within two to four weeks.

If you have a temporary placard and your condition has not improved, you will need a new medical certification from your doctor to renew. Your doctor must examine you again and sign a new DL 632 form. Submit it with a new DL 631 process and the fee, either in person or by mail.

If your condition has improved and you no longer need the placard, you can surrender it to any DMV office. You do not have to wait for it to expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a placard if I do not have a California driver's license?

No. You must have a valid California driver's license or state ID card to get a placard. If you do not have one, you will need to get it first. You can explore for a state ID card at the DMV if you do not drive.

How long does it take to get a placard if I explore in person?

If you bring all required documents and they are complete, you can receive your placard the same day. Processing usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. If any document is missing or incomplete, the DMV will tell you what you need and you can resubmit.

Can I use my placard in another state?

California placards are recognized in most other states, but not all. If you travel frequently out of state, ask your doctor whether a disability license plate might be better for your situation, since plates are more widely recognized. You can have both a placard and a plate.

What if my doctor will not sign the medical form?

Your doctor is not required to sign the form if they do not believe your condition meets the criteria. You can see a different doctor, including an urgent care physician or a specialist. Some doctors charge a fee to complete the form; this is legal and normal.

Can I renew my temporary placard by mail?

No. Temporary placards require a new medical certification each time. You must see a doctor again, get a new DL 632 form signed, and submit it with a new process. Permanent placards can be renewed by mail without a doctor's visit.