What You Need to Know Before You Start

California's handicap parking permit is issued by the DMV and lets you park in designated accessible spaces. You do not explore for the permit through an online form or by mail to the DMV directly. Instead, you visit a DMV office in person with a completed medical form signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The DMV then issues the permit on the spot or mails it to you within days.

The permit is free. You will need proof of California residency, your driver's license or ID card, and the medical certification form. If you do not have a current California ID or license, bring a passport or other government-issued ID plus a utility bill or lease showing your address.

Two types of permits exist: a placard that hangs from your rearview mirror, and a license plate decal. Most people get the placard because it works in any vehicle you drive. The plate decal stays with one vehicle and is harder to transfer if you change cars.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a DMV office in person with a medical form signed by a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner — the DMV does not mail forms or accept them by email.
  • The medical form certifies that you have a permanent or temporary disability that limits your ability to walk, and the doctor must check specific boxes about your condition.
  • Bring your California driver's license or ID card, proof of residency, and the signed medical form; the permit is issued when ready or mailed within a few days.
  • A rearview mirror placard works in any vehicle, while a license plate decal is tied to one specific vehicle and requires a new form if you change cars.
  • The permit is free, but you must renew it every two years if it is temporary, or every five years if it is permanent.

Getting the Medical Form and Having It Signed

The form you need is called the process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate, also known as form DL 674. You can read it from the California DMV website, pick one up at any DMV office, or ask your doctor's office to have one on hand. The form is free and takes about five minutes to complete on your own.

You fill in your name, address, driver's license number, and which type of permit you want (placard or plate decal). Then you give the form to your doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. They examine you, determine whether you meet the criteria for a handicap permit, and sign the form. The doctor must check boxes indicating the type of disability — permanent or temporary — and the specific condition that limits your walking ability.

The doctor does not need to write a letter or provide detailed medical history. The form itself has checkboxes for the most common conditions: arthritis, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, disability from birth, amputation, paralysis, and other mobility impairments. Your doctor checks the appropriate box and signs. If your condition is temporary — such as recovery from surgery or a broken leg — the doctor writes an end date on the form, usually three to six months out.

Keep a copy of the signed form for your records. You will need the original when you visit the DMV.

What Disabilities may have access to for a Permit

You may have access to for a handicap parking permit if you have a permanent or temporary disability that severely limits your ability to walk. This includes conditions that make it hard to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or conditions that require you to use a cane, crutches, wheelchair, walker, or leg brace. Blindness, deafness, and intellectual disabilities that affect mobility also may have access to.

The disability must be certified by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. A physical therapist, chiropractor, or other healthcare provider cannot sign the form. If you see a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, they must be licensed in California and working within their scope of practice.

Temporary disabilities may have access to as well. If you are recovering from surgery, have a broken leg, or are in physical therapy, your doctor can issue a temporary permit valid for three to six months. Once the temporary permit expires, you can renew it if your condition has not improved, or let it lapse if you no longer need it.

Visiting the DMV Office and Getting Your Permit

Find your nearest DMV office on the California DMV website and check whether you need an appointment. Many offices now require appointments, which you can book online. Bring your signed medical form, your California driver's license or ID card, and proof of residency such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

At the DMV, tell the clerk you are here for a handicap parking permit. Hand over your medical form and ID. The clerk will verify that the form is complete and signed, check your identity, and confirm your residency. If everything is in order, they will issue your placard or plate decal when ready. If the office is busy or needs to verify information, they may mail it to you within a few days.

The placard is a cardboard or plastic rectangle that hangs from your rearview mirror by a string. It displays a wheelchair symbol and your permit number. The plate decal is a sticker that goes on your license plate. Either one lets you park in accessible spaces marked with the wheelchair symbol.

You do not pay a fee for the permit. If the DMV charges you, ask to speak to a supervisor — the permit is always free.

Placard Versus License Plate Decal: Which to Choose

A rearview mirror placard is the most common choice. You hang it from your mirror when you park in an accessible space, and remove it when you leave. The advantage is that it works in any vehicle — if you borrow a car, ride in a friend's vehicle, or rent a car, you can take the placard with you. The disadvantage is that you have to remember to hang it up each time, and it can fall off or be forgotten.

A license plate decal is a permanent sticker applied to your license plate. It works automatically — you do not have to hang anything. The disadvantage is that it is tied to one specific vehicle. If you change cars, you need a new form and a new decal. If you frequently drive different vehicles, a placard is more practical.

You can have both a placard and a decal at the same time, though most people choose one. If you want to switch from a placard to a decal later, or vice versa, you can return to the DMV with a new form signed by your doctor.

Renewing Your Permit When It Expires

Permanent permits are valid for five years from the date of issue. Temporary permits are valid for the end date your doctor wrote on the form, usually three to six months. When your permit is about to expire, you will receive a renewal notice from the DMV in the mail, typically 60 days before expiration.

To renew, you need a new medical form signed by your doctor. The process is the same as the initial process: your doctor examines you, confirms that your condition still limits your walking ability, and signs the form. Then you visit the DMV with the new form, your ID, and proof of residency. The DMV issues a new permit with a new expiration date.

If your condition has improved and you no longer need the permit, you do not have to renew it. straightforward let it expire. If your condition has worsened or changed, tell your doctor so they can update the form to reflect your current status.

Common Mistakes and What to Avoid

The most common mistake is bringing an unsigned or incomplete medical form. The DMV will not issue a permit without a doctor's signature. If your form is unsigned, you will have to leave, get it signed, and return to the DMV. Make sure your doctor checks the boxes for your condition and writes an end date if the permit is temporary.

Another mistake is bringing an expired ID or no proof of residency. The DMV needs to verify your identity and address. If your driver's license expired more than five years ago, bring a passport or other government-issued ID instead. If you do not have a recent utility bill or lease, a bank statement, insurance policy, or property tax bill dated within 60 days will work.

Do not assume that a form signed by a chiropractor, physical therapist, or nurse without a license will be accepted. Only physicians, physician assistants, and licensed nurse practitioners can sign the form. If you are unsure whether your healthcare provider is licensed to sign, ask the DMV before you visit.

Do not explore for a permit if you do not have a may have access to disability. Using someone else's permit, or parking in an accessible space without a valid permit, is illegal and can result in a fine of $250 to $1,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mail my medical form to the DMV instead of visiting in person?

No. You must visit a DMV office in person with your signed medical form, ID, and proof of residency. The DMV does not accept forms by mail or email. However, once you submit your form at the office, the DMV may mail the permit to you if the office is busy.

How long does it take to get a permit after I visit the DMV?

If the DMV office issues it on the spot, you leave with your placard or decal the same day. If the office needs to verify information or is processing a high volume of applications, they will mail it to you within a few days. Check your confirmation receipt for the expected delivery date.

What if my doctor will not sign the form because they think I do not may have access to?

Your doctor makes the medical information. If they believe your condition does not limit your walking ability enough to warrant a permit, they will not sign. You can seek a second opinion from another physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The DMV does not override a doctor's decision.

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

No. The DMV issues either a temporary or permanent permit based on what your doctor certifies on the form. If your doctor indicates a temporary condition, you receive a temporary permit. You cannot have both at the same time.

What happens if I lose my placard or my decal gets damaged?

Contact the DMV and request a replacement. You will need to visit an office or call the DMV to report the loss or damage. There is no fee for a replacement, but you may need to provide your permit number or driver's license number to verify your identity.