What You Need to Know About California Handicap Placards

A California handicap placard is a permit that lets you park in designated accessible spaces. You get it by filling out Form DL 625 (process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate), which the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides. A licensed physician, surgeon, or other may have access to medical professional must sign the form to confirm you have a may have access to condition. The DMV does not decide whether you may have access to — your doctor does.

You can submit the form in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through an authorized third party. Processing takes about two weeks if you mail it, or you may get a temporary placard the same day at an office visit. The placard itself is free, though you may pay a fee if you want a personalized license plate instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL 625 is the only form you need, and your doctor must complete and sign the medical section before you submit it to the DMV.
  • You may have access to if you have a permanent or temporary disability that limits your ability to walk, including conditions like arthritis, heart disease, lung disease, or mobility impairments.
  • You can submit the form by mail, in person at any DMV office, or through a third party with a signed power of attorney.
  • A temporary placard issued at an office visit lasts 6 months; a permanent placard lasts 5 years and must be renewed after that.
  • Misusing a placard — parking in an accessible space without one, or using someone else's placard — is illegal and carries fines and possible criminal charges.

Where to Get Form DL 625 and What It Asks

You can read Form DL 625 from the California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov), pick up a copy at any DMV office, or request one by mail. The form has two sections: one for you to fill out, and one for your doctor to complete.

In your section, you provide your name, driver's license number or identification number, address, and phone number. You also state whether you want a placard (which hangs from your rearview mirror) or a special license plate, or both. If you are explore for someone else — such as a parent or guardian — you must provide a power of attorney or court order showing you have legal authority.

The medical section asks your doctor to confirm the type of disability, whether it is permanent or temporary, and how long it will last. Your doctor signs and dates the form and includes their license number. The DMV uses this information only to verify that a licensed professional has confirmed your condition; the DMV does not review your medical records or make its own judgment about your disability.

Who Can Sign the Medical Section of the Form

A licensed physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, or physician's assistant can sign Form DL 625. In some cases, a nurse practitioner, optometrist, chiropractor, or podiatrist may also sign, depending on whether they are treating you for a may have access to condition. A dentist, physical therapist, or social worker cannot sign the form, even if they know your medical history.

Your doctor does not need to submit the form themselves — you can take the signed form to the DMV. However, some medical offices will mail it directly to the DMV on your behalf if you ask. If you use a mail-in approach, make sure your doctor signs and dates the form before you send it.

Conditions That may have access to for a Handicap Placard

California law allows a placard if you have a permanent or temporary disability that limits your ability to walk. This includes arthritis, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, amputation, blindness, deafness, or any other condition that makes walking difficult or painful. You do not need to be in a wheelchair to may have access to.

Your doctor decides whether your condition meets this standard. If your condition is temporary — such as recovery from surgery or a broken leg — your doctor can issue a temporary placard valid for 6 months. If your condition is permanent, your doctor can issue a permanent placard valid for 5 years.

The DMV does not maintain a list of approved conditions. Your doctor's judgment is what matters. If the DMV denies your process, it is usually because the medical section was incomplete or unsigned, not because your condition does not may have access to.

How to Submit Form DL 625 to the DMV

You have three ways to submit the form: in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through an authorized representative with a power of attorney.

In person: Bring the completed and signed form, your driver's license or state ID, and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease) to any DMV office. You can request a temporary placard on the spot, which is valid for 6 months while the DMV processes your permanent placard. Bring your vehicle keys so staff can attach the temporary placard to your car if you wish.

By mail: Send the completed and signed form to the DMV address listed on the form itself. Include a copy of your driver's license or ID and proof of residency. Mail processing takes about two weeks. You will not receive a temporary placard this way, so your vehicle will not have a valid placard until the permanent one arrives.

Through a representative: If someone else is submitting the form on your behalf, they must have a signed power of attorney from you. The representative brings the form, your ID, proof of residency, and the power of attorney to a DMV office.

Placard Duration and Renewal

A temporary placard lasts 6 months from the date your doctor issues it. A permanent placard lasts 5 years from the date the DMV issues it. When your placard expires, you must renew it by submitting a new Form DL 625 with a new doctor's signature.

You can renew your placard up to 6 months before it expires. If your condition has changed or your doctor believes you no longer may have access to, they can decline to sign the renewal form. If your placard expires and you do not renew it, you cannot legally park in accessible spaces.

The DMV will send you a renewal notice about 60 days before your placard expires. However, you are responsible for renewing on time — do not wait for the notice to arrive.

Scam Alert: Fake Placards and Unauthorized Sellers

Do not buy a handicap placard from anyone other than the DMV. Fake placards are sold online and at some parking lots, and using one is a crime. Penalties include fines up to $1,000, possible jail time, and a criminal record. Your vehicle can also be towed if you park in an accessible space with a fake or expired placard.

The only legitimate way to get a placard is through the DMV with a doctor's signature on Form DL 625. If someone offers to sell you a placard, get you a placard without a doctor's form, or forge a doctor's signature, that is illegal. Report suspected fraud to the California DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or online at dmv.ca.gov.

Misusing someone else's placard — even a family member's — is also illegal. Each person must have their own placard or license plate. If you are caught using another person's placard, you face the same penalties as using a fake one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can use a California state ID card instead of a driver's license. You still need to complete Form DL 625 with your ID number, and your doctor still needs to sign the medical section. Bring your ID and proof of residency to the DMV office or include copies if you mail the form.

What if my doctor will not sign the form?

If your doctor believes you do not meet the criteria for a placard, they can decline to sign. You can seek a second opinion from another licensed physician or may have access to provider. The DMV cannot override your doctor's decision or require them to sign. If you disagree with your doctor's judgment, you may need to find a different provider who treats you for your condition.

Can I get a placard for someone else, like a parent or spouse?

Yes, but only if you have legal authority. You need a signed power of attorney or court order (such as a conservatorship order) showing you can act on their behalf. Bring this document along with the completed Form DL 625 to the DMV. Without legal authority, the DMV will not process the process.

How much does a handicap placard cost?

The placard itself is free. If you want a special license plate instead of a placard, there is a one-time fee set by California; check the DMV website for the current amount. You can have both a placard and a special plate on the same vehicle at no additional cost beyond the plate fee.

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

Contact the DMV to request a replacement. You may need to provide your driver's license number and the placard number if you have it. Some DMV offices can issue a replacement on the spot; others may mail one to you. There is usually no fee for a replacement, but confirm with your local DMV office.