What Form You Need and Where to Get It
The form you need is called the process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or Disabled Veteran Parking Placard, depending on your state. The exact name and number vary by state — some call it Form DL 674, others use different designations. You get the form directly from your state's DMV website, at a DMV office in person, or sometimes through your doctor's office.
The form itself is only half the process. You also need a medical certification, which comes from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who has examined you. Some states require a specific medical form; others accept a letter on the doctor's letterhead. Your state DMV website lists exactly which medical professionals can sign and what format they must use.
You cannot complete this process online in most states. You will need to submit the form and medical documentation to your DMV either by mail or in person. A few states now offer online submission through their DMV portal, but you still need the original medical signature — a scan or photo of the signed document, not a digital signature.
Key Takeaways
- The process form name and number depend on your state; check your state DMV website for the exact form and current version.
- A licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner must examine you and sign the medical certification section — your doctor cannot sign based on past records alone.
- You submit both the completed process and the signed medical form to your DMV by mail or in person; online submission is not yet available in most states.
- Processing time ranges from two to six weeks depending on your state and whether you submit by mail or in person.
- Temporary placards expire after six months; permanent placards must be renewed every four to ten years depending on your state's rules.
Who Qualifies for a Handicapped Placard
A handicapped placard is for people with a permanent or temporary disability that limits walking or makes it difficult to walk more than a short distance. This includes people who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or crutches; people with severe arthritis or joint problems; people recovering from surgery; and people with heart or lung conditions that limit exertion. Some states also issue placards for people with cognitive disabilities that affect their ability to navigate parking areas safely.
The key is that a doctor must certify the condition exists and that it genuinely affects your ability to walk or move. You cannot get a placard for convenience, for a temporary minor injury, or for a condition that does not limit mobility. The doctor's examination is not a formality — they are making a medical judgment that will be reviewed by the DMV.
If you have a condition that comes and goes, you may be issued a temporary placard instead of a permanent one. Temporary placards are usually valid for six months and can sometimes be renewed if the condition persists. Permanent placards require renewal every four to ten years depending on your state, and you will need a new medical certification at renewal time.
What Information and Documents You Must Provide
On the process form itself, you will provide your name, address, driver's license number, vehicle information (make, model, year, license plate), and a description of your disability. You do not need to name the specific diagnosis — "mobility limitation that affects walking" is sufficient — but you do need to describe how it affects you.
The medical certification section asks the doctor to confirm the disability exists, whether it is permanent or temporary, and how long it will last. The doctor must sign and date the form and provide their license number. Some states require the doctor to also indicate whether you use a mobility device (wheelchair, walker, cane) and whether you need a placard for both driving and being a passenger.
You will also need to provide proof of identity and residency — usually your driver's license or state ID card. If you are explore for someone else (a family member or caregiver), you may need a power of attorney or guardianship document, depending on your state. Check your state DMV website for the exact list before you submit.
How to Submit Your process
Most states accept mail submission. You send the completed process form, the signed medical certification, a copy of your driver's license or ID, and any other required documents to your state DMV's address for disabled parking applications. This address is listed on the form itself and on your state DMV website. Mail submission usually takes two to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your packet.
In-person submission at a DMV office is faster in many states — you can sometimes walk out with a temporary placard the same day and receive the permanent one by mail within one to two weeks. Call ahead to confirm your local DMV office accepts disabled parking applications, because not all branches do.
A few states now offer online submission through their DMV portal. You upload scans of all documents, including the signed medical form. The DMV then mails you the placard. Even with online submission, the medical signature must be an original — a photo or scan of the signed document, not a digital signature.
Scam Alert: Fake Placard Services
Do not use any website, service, or person who promises to get you a placard without a real doctor's examination. These services are illegal. They may offer to connect you with a doctor who will sign without seeing you, or they may sell counterfeit placards. Both are crimes, and both will result in fines, criminal charges, and loss of your placard.
Your state DMV does not authorize any third-party service to process applications on your behalf. If a website claims to be an "official DMV partner" or says it can speed up the process, it is not legitimate. The only legal way to get a placard is through your state DMV directly, with a real medical certification from a doctor who has examined you.
Counterfeit or fraudulently obtained placards are increasingly common. If you see someone using a placard they should not have, you can report it to your state DMV's fraud line. Using a placard you are not may have access to to is a misdemeanor in most states and can result in fines up to several hundred dollars.
What Happens After You Submit
The DMV will review your process and medical certification. If everything is complete and the doctor's signature is valid, they will approve it. If something is missing — a signature, a date, incomplete information — they will contact you by mail or phone and ask you to resubmit. This can add one to two weeks to the process.
Once approved, you will receive your placard by mail. Permanent placards are usually valid for four to ten years depending on your state; temporary placards are valid for six months. The expiration date is printed on the placard itself. You must renew before the expiration date if you want to keep using it.
At renewal time, you will need a new medical certification. You cannot renew a placard based on the old doctor's letter. Your doctor must examine you again and sign a new certification confirming the disability still exists and still affects your mobility. This is true even if your condition has not changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my doctor sign the medical form without examining me in person?
No. The doctor must examine you to certify that a disability exists and affects your mobility. They cannot sign based on past medical records or a phone call. If a doctor offers to sign without seeing you, that is fraud, and using that certification is illegal.
How long does it take to get a placard after I submit?
By mail, expect two to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your complete process. In-person submission at a DMV office may result in a temporary placard the same day and a permanent one within one to two weeks. Call your local DMV office to confirm they accept disabled parking applications and ask about wait times.
What if my disability is temporary, like recovery from surgery?
You can request a temporary placard, which is usually valid for six months. Your doctor must indicate on the medical form that the condition is temporary and estimate how long it will last. Temporary placards can sometimes be renewed if the condition persists longer than expected.
Do I need to renew my placard if my condition has not changed?
Yes. Even if your disability has not changed, you must renew your placard before it expires. Renewal requires a new medical certification from your doctor confirming the disability still exists. The DMV will send you a renewal notice before your placard expires.
What should I do if I lose or damage my placard?
Contact your state DMV to request a replacement. Most states charge a small fee for a replacement placard and can issue it within one to two weeks. You may not need a new medical certification for a replacement — only for a renewal after expiration.