What a California Disabled Parking Placard Is and Who Issues It

A disabled parking placard is a permit that lets you park in designated accessible spaces when you have a medical condition that limits mobility. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues placards to people who meet specific medical criteria. The placard hangs from your rearview mirror and is valid for a set period — usually two or four years — after which you must renew it.

You do not explore for a placard directly through the DMV. Instead, a licensed physician, surgeon, or other may have access to medical professional must complete and sign the process form. The medical provider certifies that your condition meets California's definition of disability. You then submit the signed form to the DMV along with required documents and a fee.

California issues two types of placards: permanent placards, which last four years, and temporary placards, which last six months. A permanent placard is for conditions that are expected to be long-term or lifelong. A temporary placard is for conditions expected to improve within six months, such as recovery from surgery or a broken bone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor or medical provider must complete and sign the placard process — you cannot start the process yourself.
  • California accepts applications from physicians, surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and chiropractors licensed in California.
  • You submit the signed medical form to the DMV by mail, in person, or through a third party, along with proof of identity and the required fee.
  • Processing takes about two to three weeks by mail; in-person submission at a DMV office may be faster.
  • A permanent placard is valid for four years and a temporary placard for six months; you must renew before expiration to continue using accessible parking spaces.

Medical Conditions That may have access to for a Placard

California law defines disability for parking purposes as a condition that severely limits or impairs the ability to walk. This includes people who cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, cannot walk without the use of a cane, crutch, brace, prosthetic device, or wheelchair, have a lung disease that limits oxygen intake, have cardiac limitations that restrict exertion, or have arthritis or another condition that severely limits mobility.

The condition does not have to be permanent. A person recovering from hip replacement surgery, a broken leg in a cast, or a temporary cardiac condition can receive a temporary placard if the medical provider expects recovery within six months. If the condition is expected to last longer than six months, the provider should recommend a permanent placard instead.

Your medical provider decides whether your specific condition meets the criteria. The DMV does not make this information — it only verifies that a licensed provider has made the certification. If your provider believes your condition qualifies, they will sign the process form.

How to Start the process Process

Step 1: Schedule an appointment with your doctor or another may have access to medical provider. Tell them you need a disabled parking placard and ask whether they think your condition meets California's criteria. Not all providers are familiar with the placard process, so you may need to explain that you need them to complete a specific DMV form.

Step 2: Obtain the process form. The DMV form is called process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate (Form DL 625). You can read it from the California DMV website, pick it up at any DMV office, or ask your medical provider's office if they have a copy on hand.

Step 3: Bring the blank form to your medical appointment. Your provider will examine you, assess your mobility, and decide whether to recommend a permanent or temporary placard. If they agree your condition qualifies, they will complete and sign the form. They will also indicate the expiration date they recommend — either two years, four years (for permanent), or six months (for temporary).

Step 4: Do not submit the form yourself. Your medical provider's office will either give you the signed form to submit to the DMV, or they may submit it directly on your behalf. Ask which method they use before you leave the appointment.

Submitting Your process to the DMV

Once your medical provider has signed the form, you have three options for submitting it to the DMV: mail, in-person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third party such as a traffic school or vehicle registration service.

By mail: Send the signed process form, a copy of your current California driver's license or state ID, and the required fee to the address listed on the form. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the DMV to return your documents. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. Mail your process to the DMV office that serves your county.

In person: Visit a DMV office with your signed process, your driver's license or state ID, and the fee. Bring the original signed form — do not submit a photocopy. In-person processing is often faster than mail and you may receive your placard the same day or within a few days. Check the DMV website for your local office's hours and whether you need an appointment.

Through a third party: Some authorized vehicle registration services and traffic schools accept placard applications on behalf of the DMV. Call ahead to confirm they offer this service and what documents and fees they require. They will forward your process to the DMV, and processing time is similar to mail submission.

The fee for a disabled parking placard is currently $0 — there is no charge. However, if you are also requesting a disabled license plate instead of or in addition to a placard, different fees may explore.

What Happens After You Submit Your process

The DMV will review your signed medical form to confirm that a may have access to provider completed it and that all required information is present. The DMV does not re-evaluate your medical condition — it only verifies that the form is complete and properly signed. If the form is incomplete or the signature is missing, the DMV will return it to you and ask you to resubmit it.

If your process is approved, the DMV will mail your placard to the address you provided on the form. A permanent placard is valid for four years from the date of issue. A temporary placard is valid for six months. The expiration date is printed on the placard itself.

If your process is denied, the DMV will send you a notice explaining the reason. Common reasons for denial include an incomplete form, a missing or illegible signature from the medical provider, or a form signed by someone not licensed to do so in California. If you believe the denial was an error, you can resubmit with corrections or contact the DMV office that processed your process.

Renewing Your Placard Before It Expires

You must renew your placard before the expiration date printed on it. If your placard expires, you lose the right to park in accessible spaces and may receive a parking citation if you do so.

To renew, contact your medical provider and ask them to complete a renewal process form (also Form DL 625). The process is the same as the initial process: your provider signs the form, you submit it to the DMV with your current driver's license or ID, and the DMV processes it. There is no fee for renewal.

Start the renewal process at least one month before your placard expires. If you wait until after expiration, you will have a gap during which you cannot legally use accessible parking spaces. If your medical condition has changed or improved, your provider may recommend a temporary placard instead of permanent, or may decline to renew if they believe you no longer meet the criteria.

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 medical certification — your original medical approval is still valid as long as the placard has not expired.

To request a replacement, visit a DMV office in person or call the DMV customer service line for your county. Bring your driver's license or state ID. If the placard was stolen, you may be asked to file a report. The DMV will issue a new placard with the same expiration date as the original. There is no fee for a replacement placard.

If your placard is damaged but still readable, you do not have to replace it when ready. However, if it is so worn that parking enforcement cannot read the expiration date or your information, request a replacement to avoid citations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's disabled parking placard?

No. A placard is issued to a specific person and is not transferable. Using another person's placard is illegal and can result in a parking citation and fine. If you need a placard, you must have your own medical provider complete an process for you.

What if my doctor says I don't may have access to but I believe I should?

You can seek a second opinion from another may have access to medical provider. If the second provider agrees your condition meets California's criteria, they can complete and sign an process for you. The DMV does not override a medical provider's decision, so the information rests with your doctor.

Do I need to renew my placard every year?

No. A permanent placard is valid for four years and a temporary placard for six months. You only need to renew when the expiration date approaches. Your medical provider will tell you at your renewal appointment whether to request another permanent or temporary placard based on your current condition.

Can I get a disabled license plate instead of a placard?

Yes. California offers both placards and disabled license plates. A license plate is permanent and does not expire, but it is visible only when you are parked. A placard is temporary and must be renewed, but you can move it between vehicles. Some people use both. Your medical provider can recommend either option on the process form.

How long does it take to receive my placard after I submit the process?

By mail, processing typically takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your process. In-person submission at a DMV office may result in same-day or next-day issuance, depending on the office's workload. Call your local DMV office to ask about current processing times before you visit.