What a California Temporary Handicap Placard Is and Who Can Get One

A temporary handicap placard is a permit you hang from your rearview mirror that lets you park in spaces marked for people with disabilities. In California, you can get a temporary placard if you have a medical condition that limits your ability to walk — even if the condition is expected to improve. The placard is valid for anywhere from 30 days to 6 months, depending on what your doctor writes on the process.

Unlike a permanent placard, which is for lifelong disabilities, a temporary placard is meant for people recovering from surgery, injury, or illness. You might need one after a knee replacement, during cancer treatment, while healing from a broken leg, or if you have a temporary neurological condition. The key is that a licensed physician, surgeon, or nurse practitioner must certify that your condition limits your walking ability.

You do not need to own a car to get a placard. You can get one for a vehicle you regularly use, even if someone else owns it. The placard is tied to the vehicle, not to you — so if you switch cars, you need a new placard for that car.

Key Takeaways

  • A California temporary handicap placard requires a form signed by a licensed physician, surgeon, or nurse practitioner stating your condition limits walking.
  • You can get a temporary placard valid for 30 days, 60 days, or up to 6 months, depending on what your doctor writes on the process.
  • You submit the completed form to your county DMV office in person — you cannot mail it or submit it online.
  • The placard costs nothing and is ready the same day you submit it at most DMV offices.
  • You can get a temporary placard for any vehicle you regularly use, even if you do not own it.

How to Get Your Doctor's Form Completed

The form you need is called the process for Disabled Person Placard or License Plate, also known as Form DL 625. You can read it from the California DMV website or pick up a copy at any DMV office. The form has two parts: one for you to fill out and one for your doctor.

Take the blank form to your doctor, surgeon, nurse practitioner, or other licensed physician. They will fill out their section, which asks them to describe your medical condition and how it limits your ability to walk. They must also check a box indicating how long they expect your condition to last — 30 days, 60 days, or 6 months. Your doctor does not need to write a separate letter; the form itself is what the DMV accepts.

Your doctor will sign and date the form. Some offices charge a small fee for completing the form, though many do not. Ask when you call to schedule your appointment or when you drop off the form. Once your doctor signs it, you have everything you need to go to the DMV.

What to Bring to the DMV Office

Bring the completed Form DL 625 with your doctor's signature. You will also need to bring a valid form of identification — your California driver's license, state ID card, or passport. If you are getting the placard for a vehicle you do not own, bring the vehicle registration or proof that you have permission to use the car.

You do not need to bring the vehicle itself. The DMV will issue the placard based on the vehicle's license plate number, which you or the DMV staff can look up from the registration. If you do not have the registration with you, you can provide the license plate number and the DMV can find the registration in their system.

Bring any documents that show your current medical condition if you have them — recent test results, discharge papers from a hospital, or a letter from your doctor. The DMV does not always ask for these, but having them on hand can speed up the process if there are questions about your form.

The DMV Appointment and What Happens Next

Go to your county DMV office during business hours. You can walk in or make an appointment online through the California DMV website. If you walk in, wait times vary by location and time of day; calling ahead can tell you how busy the office is. If you make an appointment, you will typically be seen within 15 minutes of your appointment time.

When you reach the counter, hand the DMV staff member your completed Form DL 625, your ID, and your vehicle registration. They will review the form to make sure your doctor signed it and filled in the duration. If everything is complete, they will issue your placard on the spot. Most offices have the placard ready within a few minutes.

The placard will have an expiration date printed on it — either 30 days, 60 days, or 6 months from the date you receive it, depending on what your doctor wrote. When the placard expires, you can get a new one if you still need it, as long as you have a new doctor's form. You do not have to wait until the old one expires to renew.

How to Use and Display Your Placard

Hang the placard from your rearview mirror so the permit number and expiration date face outward and are clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The placard must be visible at all times when you are parked in a disabled space. If the placard is not visible, a parking enforcement officer can cite you even if you have a valid permit.

You can park in any space marked for disabled people — blue spaces with the wheelchair symbol painted on the ground. You can also park in spaces marked "Disabled Veteran" if you have a temporary placard, though permanent placards have more parking options in some locations. You do not need to pay for parking in these spaces, and you can park for as long as you need to, even if there is a time limit for other spaces.

The placard is only valid for the vehicle it was issued for. If you switch to a different car, you need a new placard for that vehicle. You cannot transfer a placard from one car to another.

Renewing or Replacing Your Placard

If your condition continues and your doctor says you still need the placard, you can get a new one before the current one expires. Bring a new Form DL 625 signed by your doctor to the DMV. Your doctor can write a new duration — another 30 days, 60 days, or 6 months — or they can write a longer period if your condition is expected to last longer than originally thought.

If you lose or damage your placard, you can get a replacement at the DMV. Bring your ID and the vehicle registration. The replacement placard will have the same expiration date as the original, so you do not lose any time on your permit. There is no fee for a replacement.

If your condition improves before your placard expires, you can turn it in at the DMV. This is not required, but some people do it to avoid confusion if they no longer need the disabled parking space.

What Happens If Your Placard Expires

Once your placard expires, you cannot legally park in disabled spaces. If you park in a disabled space with an expired placard, you can be cited and fined. The fine for misusing a disabled placard in California is typically $250 to $1,000, depending on the city and whether it is your first offense.

If you still need to park in disabled spaces after your placard expires, you must get a new one before you park. This means getting a new Form DL 625 from your doctor and returning to the DMV. Plan ahead so you do not run out of time — if your placard is expiring soon, contact your doctor now to schedule a time to have the form completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a temporary placard if my condition might be permanent?

Yes. Your doctor decides the duration based on what they expect, not on what might happen later. If your condition turns out to be permanent, you can get a new temporary placard when the current one expires, or you can talk to your doctor about switching to a permanent placard. A permanent placard lasts up to 5 years and does not require renewal as often.

Do I have to go to the DMV in person, or can I mail the form?

You must go to the DMV office in person. California does not accept mailed applications for temporary placards. You can make an appointment online to reduce wait time, but you have to be there to submit the form and receive the placard.

Can someone else pick up my placard for me?

No. You must be present at the DMV to receive your placard. The DMV will not issue it to someone else, even with a power of attorney or written permission. If you cannot go in person, ask your doctor if they can submit the form on your behalf, though this is not standard practice at most offices.

What if my doctor will not sign the form?

Your doctor must believe your condition genuinely limits your ability to walk in order to sign the form. If your doctor does not think you meet the criteria, you can ask them to explain why, or you can seek a second opinion from another physician. The DMV will not issue a placard without a doctor's signature.

Can I use someone else's temporary placard if I am riding in their car?

No. A placard is only valid for the specific vehicle it was issued for. If you are a passenger in someone else's car, that car must have its own placard if you want to park in a disabled space. You cannot use a placard from a different vehicle.