What a California Handicap Parking Placard Is and Who Issues It
A California handicap parking placard is a permit that lets you park in designated accessible spaces. The California Department of Motor Vehicles issues the placard, but you do not request it directly from the DMV. Instead, you obtain one through your doctor or a state-approved medical professional who certifies that you have a may have access to medical condition.
The placard hangs from your rearview mirror and is valid for two years from the date your doctor signs it. When it expires, you must get a new certification from a medical professional and submit it to the DMV to renew. You can have one placard per vehicle, though you can also request a permanent placard if your condition is expected to last longer than two years.
California also issues handicap license plates as an alternative to placards. License plates are permanent unless your condition changes, but they are visible to anyone who sees your vehicle. Placards are removable and more private, which is why many people choose them.
Key Takeaways
- Your doctor or a state-approved medical professional must complete and sign the process form — the DMV does not issue placards without medical certification.
- Temporary placards are valid for two years and require renewal through a new medical certification; permanent placards do not expire but require proof that your condition is lifelong.
- You submit the signed medical form directly to the DMV by mail, in person at a field office, or through the online portal if you have a California driver's license or ID.
- The DMV charges no fee for the placard itself, but your doctor may charge for the office visit and certification.
- Once approved, the DMV mails the placard to your address within two to three weeks.
Medical Conditions That may have access to for a Handicap Placard
California law allows a placard for people with specific medical conditions that limit mobility or make walking difficult. These include permanent or temporary disabilities such as severe arthritis, heart or lung disease, cancer, diabetes, severe burns, amputation, paralysis, and mobility impairments from stroke or spinal cord injury. You also may have access to if you are blind, deaf, or have a developmental disability that affects your ability to walk.
Your doctor decides whether your condition meets the state's standard. The condition does not have to be permanent — temporary conditions lasting at least two months can may have access to for a temporary placard. For example, someone recovering from knee surgery or a broken leg can receive a temporary placard during healing.
The DMV does not publish an exhaustive list of may have access to conditions. If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, ask your doctor. They know the state's requirements and can advise you on whether to pursue a placard.
How to Request a Placard From Your Doctor
Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor, a specialist treating your condition, or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant authorized to issue placards in California. During the visit, tell them you want to request a handicap parking placard. They will determine whether your condition qualifies and, if it does, complete the process form.
The form is called the process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate (Form DL 674). Your doctor fills in their medical findings, checks whether you want a temporary or permanent placard, and signs the form. You do not fill this out yourself — your doctor does. Ask the office to give you the signed original or a copy for your records.
Some doctors' offices charge a fee for the visit and the certification. This is separate from any DMV fee. Call ahead to ask whether there is a charge and whether the office regularly issues these forms, since not all practices do.
Submitting Your process to the DMV
Once your doctor has signed the form, you have three ways to submit it to the DMV. The fastest is usually online through the DMV website if you have a valid California driver's license or ID card. You will need to create an account, upload a photo of the signed form, and pay any applicable fee (currently none for the placard, though this can change).
You can also mail the signed form to the DMV address listed on the form itself. Include a copy of your driver's license or ID and any other documents the form requests. Mail delivery typically takes one to two weeks, and the DMV processes applications within two to three weeks of receipt.
A third option is to visit a DMV field office in person with the signed form and your driver's license or ID. Bring the original signed form, not a photocopy, if possible. Field office staff can submit it when ready, though you will still wait two to three weeks for the placard to arrive by mail at your home address.
What Happens After You Submit Your process
The DMV reviews your process to confirm that your doctor is licensed and authorized to issue certifications, and that the form is complete and signed. This review usually takes two to three weeks. You do not receive a temporary placard while you wait — the DMV mails only the final placard once it approves the process.
If your process is incomplete or your doctor's signature is missing, the DMV will contact you by mail and ask you to resubmit. This delay can add another two to three weeks. To avoid this, double-check that your doctor signed the form and that all required fields are filled before you submit.
Once approved, the DMV mails the placard to the address you provided on the process. The placard arrives in a small envelope with instructions on how to hang it from your mirror. Keep the placard in your vehicle when you park in accessible spaces. Remove it when you are not using the accessible space, since leaving it visible when you are not parked can result in a citation.
Renewing a Temporary Placard Before It Expires
A temporary placard expires two years from the date your doctor signed it. The date is printed on the placard itself. About 60 days before expiration, schedule a new appointment with your doctor or another state-authorized medical professional to get a new certification.
Your doctor will complete a new Form DL 674, sign it, and give it to you. Submit this new form to the DMV using the same methods as before — online, by mail, or in person at a field office. The DMV will process it and mail you a new placard before your current one expires, though there is no may provide of timing. To be safe, submit your renewal form at least 90 days before expiration.
If your placard expires before you receive the new one, you cannot legally use accessible parking spaces until the new placard arrives. Plan ahead to avoid this gap.
Permanent Placards and When to Request One
If your medical condition is permanent and expected to last for the rest of your life, you can request a permanent placard instead of a temporary one. Your doctor indicates this choice on the process form. Permanent placards do not expire and do not require renewal every two years.
However, the DMV may ask for additional medical documentation to confirm that your condition is truly permanent. Your doctor must certify that there is no reasonable expectation of improvement. Conditions like spinal cord injury, amputation, or severe arthritis are typically considered permanent. Conditions that may improve, like recovery from surgery, are not.
Even with a permanent placard, you should notify the DMV if your condition changes significantly or if you no longer need the placard. You can surrender it at any DMV field office or by mail.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is submitting an incomplete form. Make sure your doctor signs and dates the form, fills in their license number, and checks the correct box for temporary or permanent. Missing any of these details will cause the DMV to reject the process and send it back to you.
Another mistake is not keeping a copy of the signed form for yourself. If the DMV loses your process or you need to prove you submitted it, you will have no record. Ask your doctor's office for a copy before you leave.
Do not assume you can use an accessible space while your process is pending. You can only park in accessible spaces once you have the physical placard in your vehicle. Parking without a valid placard can result in a citation and a fine, even if your process is in progress.
Finally, do not leave an expired placard hanging from your mirror. Once it expires, remove it when ready. Using an expired placard is treated the same as having no placard and can result in a citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary placard while my permanent one is being processed?
No. The DMV does not issue temporary placards while processing permanent ones. You must wait for the permanent placard to arrive. If you need accessible parking before then, ask your doctor whether a temporary placard is an option instead, though this requires a separate process.
What if my doctor will not sign the form?
Your doctor decides whether your condition qualifies. If they decline, you can seek a second opinion from another doctor or specialist. You can also ask your doctor to explain their reasoning — sometimes a different treatment or additional medical records can change their assessment.
Can I use someone else's placard if I am borrowing their car?
No. A placard is issued to a specific person and vehicle. Using someone else's placard is illegal and can result in a citation. If you need accessible parking regularly, you should have your own placard.
How much does a handicap placard cost?
The DMV charges no fee for the placard itself. However, your doctor may charge for the office visit and the time spent completing the certification form. Call your doctor's office to ask about their fees before your appointment.
What do I do if my placard is lost or stolen?
Contact the DMV and request a replacement. You can do this online, by phone, or in person at a field office. The DMV will issue a new placard and mail it to you. There is typically no fee for a replacement, though this can vary.